fastjeff
Gold Medal Contributor
Got a tidbit of advise for anyone fighting ethanol gas problems (as I have been this summer). Even though I 'fill 'em up' for the winter every year--and douse the fuel with lots of Star Brite conditioner--the "white gook" has apparently built up year by year until it's become a problem.(See photo.)
First of all, what is "white gook"? This is a milk resembling white liquid formed by the exposure of ethanol and water. It is heavier than the fuel and will past RIGHT through filters, strainers and, yes, even water separators. And when you get enough of this crap in a carb the motor won't start very well (or at all), idle poorly (if at all), and stalls easily. Sound familiar?
Okay; so how do you get rid of it? The "standard approach" is to pump out the lower 1/4 or so of each tank, tossing it out (or decanting the good stuff off the top for one's car or truck). Not only is this a PITA, dangerous to do at a marina (many won't allow it), it's also expensive--that gas ain't cheap, pardner! Furthermore, if the boat wasn't sitting DEAD still for several hours, the white gook will not considerately lie at the bottom of your tank to be pumped out. The nerve!
So...If you can't reliably pump it out, and the motors are running like crap, then what can you do?
It's called (for lack of a proper name) the Fastjeff Flushing Method. Here's how it's done:
Start (hopefully) the motor and get it up to temperature. As it is idling, and if you have a good ear, you will hear a "different' exhaust sound: louder, and rougher. That's 'cause the motor is running lean at idle. Instead of sucking in, say, 100 cc of fuel per hour, it's only getting (say) 60 ccs or so, along with 40 ccs (in this example) of white gook. Slip on a bit of choke on by hand and you'll see what I mean: the motor will instantly smooth out and pick up a few rpms. Release the choke and it will get rougher again.
Here's what to do next: Shut the gas off at the fuel pump, then keep that sucker running as long as you can. That means pumping the HELL out the throttle to use up every drop of fuel remaining in the carb. Next,open the fuel shut off valve and fire her up--it'll take a bunch of cranking (with mechanical pumps) since the carb is dry. Then repeat the above exercise.
You'll notice an immediate improvement in idle quality, one that will last a while (unless your tanks are really loaded with that crap). In my case, Mr. Starboard has made it several months now, with Mr. Port needed the treatment twice.
Jeff
First of all, what is "white gook"? This is a milk resembling white liquid formed by the exposure of ethanol and water. It is heavier than the fuel and will past RIGHT through filters, strainers and, yes, even water separators. And when you get enough of this crap in a carb the motor won't start very well (or at all), idle poorly (if at all), and stalls easily. Sound familiar?
Okay; so how do you get rid of it? The "standard approach" is to pump out the lower 1/4 or so of each tank, tossing it out (or decanting the good stuff off the top for one's car or truck). Not only is this a PITA, dangerous to do at a marina (many won't allow it), it's also expensive--that gas ain't cheap, pardner! Furthermore, if the boat wasn't sitting DEAD still for several hours, the white gook will not considerately lie at the bottom of your tank to be pumped out. The nerve!
So...If you can't reliably pump it out, and the motors are running like crap, then what can you do?
It's called (for lack of a proper name) the Fastjeff Flushing Method. Here's how it's done:
Start (hopefully) the motor and get it up to temperature. As it is idling, and if you have a good ear, you will hear a "different' exhaust sound: louder, and rougher. That's 'cause the motor is running lean at idle. Instead of sucking in, say, 100 cc of fuel per hour, it's only getting (say) 60 ccs or so, along with 40 ccs (in this example) of white gook. Slip on a bit of choke on by hand and you'll see what I mean: the motor will instantly smooth out and pick up a few rpms. Release the choke and it will get rougher again.
Here's what to do next: Shut the gas off at the fuel pump, then keep that sucker running as long as you can. That means pumping the HELL out the throttle to use up every drop of fuel remaining in the carb. Next,open the fuel shut off valve and fire her up--it'll take a bunch of cranking (with mechanical pumps) since the carb is dry. Then repeat the above exercise.
You'll notice an immediate improvement in idle quality, one that will last a while (unless your tanks are really loaded with that crap). In my case, Mr. Starboard has made it several months now, with Mr. Port needed the treatment twice.
Jeff
