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Been very bizzy and havent ran the boat in 8 months Its got a full load of fuel thats also that old, last time I fired it up I had carb problems in the port engine.
I just want to run it a little to see what else has gone wrong.
Where should I start?? (Fuel conditioner ect) or should I try to put new gas in it?
Its got 150 gals in the tanks.I know its gonna take bigg bucks to get this running again I just need a place to start. 1991 Grady, twin 1990 Yamaha 150s
Here goes my check book!!!
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What grade of gas is in the tanks. 87 - 89 - 92 ?
Also is all the gas 8 months old or is some older and how much older? My understanding is you loose about 2 octane each 6 months of untreated storage (without fuel stablizer). Cant' try to help with the port engine as your description lacks details. Good guess might be varnish from old gas evaporating in the carbs - but just a guess.
If you don't want to drain the tanks (lots-o-$$$) try to estimate the octane rating based on how old the gas is and then try octane booster (auto store) to bring the fuel up to at least 90 octane. Get your carb problem fixed and take a long trip and get rid of the old fuel. Next time add fuel stablizer BEFORE you refuel - Cheap insurance. Good luck.
When you fire them up you might want to use a 6 gallon can of fresh fuel, and I would highly recommend you premix it with oil to 50:1 until you verify your oil injection system is functioning.
If it's been cold there, fuel doesn't deteriorate as fast, but 8 months is pushing it.
Sorry Dave.....I thought you were in Alaska, but it's Jupiter who is......disregard comment about it being cold in Tampa.....
You can siphon the gas out, strain it, and burn it in your car 50/50 with new gas. Octane boosters might be a crap shoot.
Dave, I had a similar problem due to health problems. I removed the plugs and shot fogging oil into each cylinder and let soak for a few hours. I then rotated the motor by hand with the plugs out to lessen the chance of breaking a ring if stuck to the cylinder wall. After I was sure the motor was spinning free, I spun it over with more fogging oil with the plugs installed to build compression to force the oil around the pistons. I did start on a remote 6 gl. tank w/ oil and let run in the driveway for several minutes a few times. As for the gas, I wouldn't toss it just yet. make sure the engines are running good before testing the gas, so you can determine if the gas is a real problem, or the carbs. You may want to run a strong load of Carbon Guard in the 6 gl. tank to fill carbs, sometimes it cleans varnish from old gas. If you have twin tanks, I'd dump one, fill with high octane, and run off both tanks to blend fuels. If it won't run on old fuel, dump it. Bad gas can cook your pistons, and their more than the price of the fuel, even at today's prices.
Jupiter, the gas was 92 octane fresh from the marina tank that gets filled frequently. I just read Sta-bils web site it looks like it couldnt hurt to dump some in. I am concerned about gumming in the carbs I will most likely have to have them rebuilt anyway ...as my luck runs.
Thanx guys for all the help!
Dave M,
I wouldn"t worry too much. I have kept a boat on the water 300 miles from home for 12 yrs now. Many times I have worried about the same problem. Sta-bil is a good idea. Put in the sta-bil, check out everything like oil ect, crank her up and see how she does. Give the engine time to warm up before putting it under a load. Any gunk in the carb will already be there. You might want pump the bulb, fill the carb and let it soak for an hour or so prior to starting. I usually keep my tanks full and try to use sta-bil in them if I know I'm leaving the boat unused for over 2 mo. but sometimes I screw up and don't.
Good Luck
Joe
If you are really concerned about the gas, do what I do. Top off the tanks for condensation purposes. Then, when you are ready to use the boat again, drain off the gas into your favorite vehicle(s), mowers, etc. Another thing, we just got power back a few days ago from the ice storm. I almost panicked when I realized that even the gas stations were without power. Then I realized that I had 60+ gallons sitting on a boat trailer for the generator and cars if needed. Just goes to show that boats are much more than perceived. I almost had the wife talked into something that held 200-300 gallons. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
S7 thanx I cheched out their website, its sounds legit Ill try it. Now the only problem its the varnish in the carbs. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img]
If you are going to add octane booster, make sure is not alcohol based! You fuel system may not tolerate alcohol in the fuel and alcohol attracts moisture.
To boost octane safely use race fuel (105 octane, yeah baby!) but is not cheap ($6/gal).
All I can say spray the fogging oil in the cylinders and give it a whirl. And go from there, you may have to rebuild the carbs.
Since you're in Tampa I'm going to recommend you call a friend of mine, Lou Baquero. Lou is the owner of Advantage Boat Works in Tampa, just north of Raymond James Stadium, off of Dale Mabry.
Lou knows Yamahas very well and can help you out. His number is: (813) 877-1939. If you already have carburator problems you might be better off taking the boat to him. High quality work and a conscientious guy.
I was in Tampa last week and visited Lou. He's busy, but his shop should slow down over the holidays.
Use the 6 gallon tank as suggested, just add a can of gumout carb cleaner from the auto parts store. Mix well run engine 15 min. set over nite, run 15 min. Go fishing, varnish free.