1971 EVINRUDE 100 STICKY FLOAT NEEDLE VALVES?

[rap1244]

HELP! Does anybody know how to un-stick carb float needle valves without removing the carbs and doing a rebuild? Have lightly tapped float bowls with a small hammer with neg results. My Evinrude 100 will start up and run perfectly, then after shutting down, will not restart. Spark is OK (motor will burn ether), also have plenty of fuel to the carbs (checked fuel pump to carbs, float bowls have plenty of gas in them). Motor was sitting for 2 years, but now am running clean hi-test at 50:1. Am convinced it's stuck float valves, but need to free them up. Motor has the Model G carbs.

[OBJ]

Nuke....when you say start up and run perfectly, do you mean you've had it on the water and she does everything you expect or is this in the drive way on ears?Would not hurt a bit to pull the carbs and rebuild them. If the needles are stuck, they are stuck. Get the kits which are still available from a Johnny/Rude dealer and rebuild.How's the engine temp during the time she runs?Oh...and don't use ether to start them....no lube. No lube in the engine is not good.Keep us posted. Thanks.One more thing....87 octane is good enough.

[DJ]

Nuke,As OBJ said. There is no magic tonic or "mechanic in a can". The carbs. have to come apart.Ether is bad stuff for outboards. True, they will run on it, for a little while. Use pre mix gas/oil in a spray bottle instead.

[rap1244]

Thanks for the info, guys. I went easy on the ether; pre-mix in a spray bottle is a good idea. Another question occurred to me while writing this. If the float valves were stuck closed, the bowls should be dry shouldn't they? Mine had gas coming out of the drains. Also, it seems strange that both carbs would have the same problem (stuck float valves) simultaneously. When trying to restart while warm, engine didn't fire even slightly, as it would if only one carb was stuck. Any additional thoughts much appreciated.

[OBJ]

Nuke....if she set for two years, REAL good chance the carbs are gummed up. This would seem like "stuck needles".Edit.....look at the gaskets between the float bowl and carb body. If they are black, rebuild. This is original equipment. If they are a reddish brown color they have been rebuilt in the past.