Gizmobreaker
Seaman Apprentice
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2008
- Messages
- 45
I have a 1985 Johnson 15HP Sailmaster J15RLCOB. No electric start, no alternator. Water pumps fine. Earlier this season, I had water in my fuel and had that problem professionally repaired. Ouch! For what Brewers charged, I could have almost bought a new motor. But it ran after that, twice out of the harbor and twice in (I only sail on weekends).
I had them replace the water pump impeller, just to be sure.
I installed a Yamaha bulkhead mounted water separating filter, just in case.
Yesterday, I motored out of my mooring location (Branford Harbor, CT) to LI Sound and it ran better than it ever had. The boat (1976 Catalina 27) moved along faster than I could believe. I guess I should have been suspicious.
When I tried to start the motor to come back in, it would not even try to start. I pulled the plugs and they were wet with gas (smell test), but clean. I let the fuel evaporate and reinstalled them. I pulled the filter and drained the gas into a clean cup and it looked good. No water. Pale green in color, which I suspect is from the stabilizer. (Why did the filter gasket swell up? It was now larger than the seat on the filter. I could not re-install the filter.)
Eventually, I had to call for a tow.
What do I do next? Some observations:
There was gas in the tank, which is new, this season. Plastic Moeller.
The fuel line is longer, now, due to the filter installation, but there seems to be plenty of fuel if I slowly disconnect the engine fitting and watch for gas.
There are no right angle fittings in the line.
While looking at the motor, I did notice that the fuel line runs around the engine, from one side to the other, and up to the fuel pump(?). Where it passes under the cylinder head, it seems to be slightly melted where it touches the cylinder head, but not leaking. Again, gas did get to the plugs.
The Catalina 27 mounts the outboard through a large hole in the transom, and has a lazarette. When the motor is tilted up it passes through the transom. Because of this arrangement, new motors can be mounted but cannot be tilted up, without modifying (cutting) the top of the hole.
Because I am at a mooring and have an inflatable dinghy, it is difficult to remove and replace the motor (75 pounds). Any thoughts on that would be appreciated, too. I wish I had a lift or a davit, but I don't. Considering it, though...
This is no fun. Any thoughts? I can't bear the thought of paying Brewers another $750.00.
Thanks for any help.
Marty
I had them replace the water pump impeller, just to be sure.
I installed a Yamaha bulkhead mounted water separating filter, just in case.
Yesterday, I motored out of my mooring location (Branford Harbor, CT) to LI Sound and it ran better than it ever had. The boat (1976 Catalina 27) moved along faster than I could believe. I guess I should have been suspicious.
When I tried to start the motor to come back in, it would not even try to start. I pulled the plugs and they were wet with gas (smell test), but clean. I let the fuel evaporate and reinstalled them. I pulled the filter and drained the gas into a clean cup and it looked good. No water. Pale green in color, which I suspect is from the stabilizer. (Why did the filter gasket swell up? It was now larger than the seat on the filter. I could not re-install the filter.)
Eventually, I had to call for a tow.
What do I do next? Some observations:
There was gas in the tank, which is new, this season. Plastic Moeller.
The fuel line is longer, now, due to the filter installation, but there seems to be plenty of fuel if I slowly disconnect the engine fitting and watch for gas.
There are no right angle fittings in the line.
While looking at the motor, I did notice that the fuel line runs around the engine, from one side to the other, and up to the fuel pump(?). Where it passes under the cylinder head, it seems to be slightly melted where it touches the cylinder head, but not leaking. Again, gas did get to the plugs.
The Catalina 27 mounts the outboard through a large hole in the transom, and has a lazarette. When the motor is tilted up it passes through the transom. Because of this arrangement, new motors can be mounted but cannot be tilted up, without modifying (cutting) the top of the hole.
Because I am at a mooring and have an inflatable dinghy, it is difficult to remove and replace the motor (75 pounds). Any thoughts on that would be appreciated, too. I wish I had a lift or a davit, but I don't. Considering it, though...
This is no fun. Any thoughts? I can't bear the thought of paying Brewers another $750.00.
Thanks for any help.
Marty
