1988 - 90HP 3 cylinder Mariner - Fuel leaking

frednick1 · #1 November 10th, 2007, 10:22 AM

Hi Guys,

You have been a great help to me in the past with all sorts of Mariner engine problems.

But here's one that I have not been able to cure.

I fish with this 90HP Mariner engine and it runs fantastic thanks to many of you.

I start it up and pull away from the ramp aok. I run over to my favorite spot and turn the engine off. Sometimes I tip the Mariner engine up and sometimes I don't. Makes no difference to the problem.

I drop the trolling motor and start to fish. Sometimes but not always (and this is why I am so confused) the motor will start to leak fuel into the lake and, since I am in front fishing, I smell it before I see it. I go back there and there is a big slick on the water behind the boat. This does NOT happen every time. Sometimes it's fine. No leaks.

I have tried to find the leak but it only happens when I am out fishing and only sometimes. I can't get it to leak when I squeeze the fuel line primer bulb or at any other time. I can't see where it is coming from and it is really hard to get the clam-shell cover off the engine when I am on the lake.

I have taken it off and launched the boat without a cover but I still can't see where it's leaking from.

Anybody know what's going on here?

Thanks.

Frednick1

Laddies · #2 November 10th, 2007, 08:47 PM

If it only leaks when you trim it up thats normal, when the engine is tilted it's just like tipping a glass full of water on it's side it will spill some out, if hat the case and you don't want it to happen you you will have to run the fuel out of the carbs

frednick1 · #3 November 11th, 2007, 05:37 PM

Hi Laddies of Northern Michigan,

That's a good idea. I had not thought of that. Next time, I will run the gas out of the engine and then see if it leaks. I would guess it will not.

BTW, it leaks no matter if I tip (trim) it up or not. But not always. Sometimes it's fine in both positions. Sometimes it leaks in both positions.

I know that's weird. But that's just what it does.

But running the engine out of gas would actually save fuel since I think it leaks out more than it would use if I ran it dry.

Thanks for the idea.

frednick1