OK, I tried searching, but I can't seem to find anything in this forum that sounds like the problem I had the other day (can't seem to use AND for searching multiple words? Maybe I need a tutorial on this forum software). I tried searching google too. I can't believe I'm the only one whose had this problem???
Anyway, I took some colleagues out to sample some water and sediments in the Potomac River (near Wash, DC). Of course, they were gong to analyze over the weekend which meant we went on a Friday. It was biting cold (about 24 degrees with high winds). I was thinking we should bail, but my motor started right up (I run it quite a bit during the winter) and we motored on to our sampling locale. I was planning on doing a little fishing too, but as we idled around looking for where we were going to sample, my outboard stalled. I thought it was out of fuel (1st tank was a little low), so I switched out. Still couldn't get it to start. Seemed like it was getting plenty of fuel??? Finally, after getting blown towards shore, I fired up my kicker and we did our work - then took the 1.5 hour journey back to the dock with only 10HP pushing us along! Lots of spray - which turned into lots of ice!!! My buddy who's from the Boston area kept saying that it was probably some ice in the fuel line. I treat my fuel with stabilizer and I've never had any problems with ice (that I'm aware of). I've been out in colder weather on occasion (but I generally avoid windy conditions).
After cleaning up and charging the battery the next day (and letting my boat sit in the sun), I went to rinse out the motor and she started right up without issue... So, my question is, can a bit of water in the fuel clog the carb(s) - my sense is that they could. Other than fuel stabilizer, is there a way to ensure there's no icing? Is there a thread or discussion on ice crystals in fuel? Any help or pointer to a discussion on this would be appreciated. Thanks.
Tom
Anyway, I took some colleagues out to sample some water and sediments in the Potomac River (near Wash, DC). Of course, they were gong to analyze over the weekend which meant we went on a Friday. It was biting cold (about 24 degrees with high winds). I was thinking we should bail, but my motor started right up (I run it quite a bit during the winter) and we motored on to our sampling locale. I was planning on doing a little fishing too, but as we idled around looking for where we were going to sample, my outboard stalled. I thought it was out of fuel (1st tank was a little low), so I switched out. Still couldn't get it to start. Seemed like it was getting plenty of fuel??? Finally, after getting blown towards shore, I fired up my kicker and we did our work - then took the 1.5 hour journey back to the dock with only 10HP pushing us along! Lots of spray - which turned into lots of ice!!! My buddy who's from the Boston area kept saying that it was probably some ice in the fuel line. I treat my fuel with stabilizer and I've never had any problems with ice (that I'm aware of). I've been out in colder weather on occasion (but I generally avoid windy conditions).
After cleaning up and charging the battery the next day (and letting my boat sit in the sun), I went to rinse out the motor and she started right up without issue... So, my question is, can a bit of water in the fuel clog the carb(s) - my sense is that they could. Other than fuel stabilizer, is there a way to ensure there's no icing? Is there a thread or discussion on ice crystals in fuel? Any help or pointer to a discussion on this would be appreciated. Thanks.
Tom