Taking the Pontoon out for the first time in two years

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#16 Post by **mike** » Tue Jul 08, 2014 7:15 am

Thanks, I always run the motor dry for the winter so no fuel was in the carb. I will see how the portable tank and line work out and start cleaning bowls and jets if I need to. What really has me stumped is how well it ran for like two hours both fast and trolling. I was thinking it may be a vent issue (like the tank vent could not keep up with the fuel demand and finally caused enough vaccum in the tank to choke off some of the gas)?? Once I isolate the fuel delivery side I should have a better idea whats going on, and I really wanted a portable plug in style tank anyway just in case I get water in the tank or a load of bad gas (or run out of gas) so I am not really just throwing money away at the problem at this point.

#17 Post by **mike** » Mon Jul 28, 2014 7:55 am

Man, I replaced the water pump impeller this weekend and it was much more difficult than it should have been... It was my first time and I certainly learned how it works now, I bet I could do it again in about 30 minutes. I am going to take it out on Tuesday to try out the external tank and see if that resolves my issues!

spurhunter · #18 Post by **spurhunter** » Tue Jul 29, 2014 9:07 am

I had an issue like this once, it turned out to be the fuel line internal lining collapsing. DO yourself a favor and change those as well to eliminate any potential issue.

#19 Post by **mike** » Tue Jul 29, 2014 1:18 pm

spurhunter wrote:I had an issue like this once, it turned out to be the fuel line internal lining collapsing. DO yourself a favor and change those as well to eliminate any potential issue.

I thought this might be the issue. Its got original lines from back in the pre ethanol days so it could be they are getting chewed up by the ethanol? I am going to see how things go tonight with the spare tank, then replace the fuel line if the spare tank fixes the issue. Then start looking at the tank...

#20 Post by **mike** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 8:38 am

Still had the issues... Didnt even get off the dock... Time to call a mechanic! NOT HAPPY.

ToonGuy · #21 Post by **ToonGuy** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 8:57 am

Sometimes those lines can get so deteriorated they clog up the fuel pump and any filters. Your Merc should have a factory filter of some sort check that first...

justfishing · #22 Post by **justfishing** » Sun Aug 03, 2014 7:39 pm

Have you gone to bass boat central and gone to the mercury engine forum. They have a sticky about fuel lines and what ethanol is doing to them. You should start off replacing fuel lines and fuel filter. They can help you trouble shoot the problem if you feel like tackling it yourself. When you go there have the model and serial number and put it in the initial post.

Does the bulb pump up firm? When you used the choke to keep it running did you check the bulb? Did you try pumping and did it help?
In the lay off what did you do with the fuel? Did you use a fuel stabilizer?

#23 Post by **mike** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 8:31 am

I bought a brand new three gal tank and mercury hose/bulb with fresh pump gas. It still did not fix the problem. I dropped the boat off at the mercury dealer on saturday, I should know something by tuesday.

curtiscapk · #24 Post by **curtiscapk** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 9:18 am

Good luck Mike!

#25 Post by **mike** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 2:01 pm

curtiscapk wrote:Good luck Mike!

Thanks, I am sure its not going to be cheap but I want to take the family out on the lake dammit!

#26 Post by **mike** » Wed Aug 06, 2014 6:43 am

mercury dealer said it has badly varnished carbs with some blocked passages, $400 and I should be back in business... He said they are seeing this same problem every single day and to avoid ethanol gas if possible.

teecro · #27 Post by **teecro** » Wed Aug 06, 2014 6:53 am

mike wrote:mercury dealer said it has badly varnished carbs with some blocked passages, $400 and I should be back in business... He said they are seeing this same problem every single day and to avoid ethanol gas if possible.

Motorcycles are not boats but they suffer many of the same issues from ethanol laced gas. One thing I find really helps keep the carb gremlins at bay is regular & heavy use of Stabil and/or Marvel Mystery Oil in every tank of gas... I store my carbs wet since I'm treating my fuel with stabilizer but a 2 year slumber will evaporate any amount of fuel left in the carbs...

OK Toon · #28 Post by **OK Toon** » Wed Aug 06, 2014 7:00 am

Glad to hear you finally learned what was causing your problem. Just a little $$ and you'll be back out on the water with the family soon. Congrats!

curtiscapk · #29 Post by **curtiscapk** » Wed Aug 06, 2014 8:07 am

Better than a grand!

#30 Post by **badmoonrising** » Wed Aug 06, 2014 9:01 am

mike wrote:mercury dealer said it has badly varnished carbs with some blocked passages, $400 and I should be back in business... He said they are seeing this same problem every single day and to avoid ethanol gas if possible.

Yep, my brother in law works for a refinery. He claims the ethanol AlGore gas goes bad 60-90 days after it leaves the refinery

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