Just bought my first boat and was anxious to get it out on the water. Bought it knowing the fuel gauge didn't work, and after fiddling with it a bit decided to take the boat out. To be "safe" I figured I'd add a half tank (10 gallons) to be certain not to run out. I added the right amount of oil and headed for the gas station. Only problem is that there was already 16 gallons in the tank! I could only get 4 gallons of gas into the tank!
So my mixture is off, and I'm not certain how concerned I should be. Here's how I've figured it:
- 16 gallons properly mixed fuel already in tank => 41 oz oil.
- Oil I added for intended 10 gallons gas => 26 oz oil.
- Total oil for 16 gallons already in tank => 67 oz oil.
- Added 4 gallons of gas to tank => 20 gallons gas.
So my net mixture is 20 gal/67 oz => 38:1. Does this make sense?
I did run it with this mixture for a while, figuring it would be O.K. as long as I kept adding straight gas into the tank until mixture was correct. Was this an O.K. assumption?
no problem just carry new plugs with you.
the plugs will carbonize just as the cylinders
new plugs and a can of seafom to 1 galon of gas to de carbonize and clean.
thats all
but the engine will be safe
Some additional oil is no problem, hillbilly. You might get more smoke than normal and a bit more carbon buildup if you use that 38:1 for a long time, but for one tank. . . no worries.
Remember, that engine was run on 24:1 for break-in.
Thanks for the feedback! Wow - this board is impressive! I've only posted twice and the feedback has been prompt and useful - thanks!
I'm relieved to hear that running 38:1 for only partial tank shouldn't be a problem. This is a one-time mistake that I'll be careful not to make again (i.e. fix the fuel gauge!). My guess is that I used 2-4 gallons @ 38:1, so if I replace that volume with straight gas, I should be close to correct mixture.
Thanks again for the support! Hopefully I can return the favor to some other rookie after I get a few years under my belt...
even with the guage fixed you won't know how much gas you can put in. Mix the oil at the gas station while you fill the tank: a pint, then 6 gallons, then a pint, 6 gallons. If your last 6 won't fit you aren't too far over.
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A man of constant boat tinkering.
even with the guage fixed you won't know how much gas you can put in. Mix the oil at the gas station while you fill the tank: a pint, then 6 gallons, then a pint, 6 gallons. If your last 6 won't fit you aren't too far over.
Thats absolutly correct but its easier to put 6 gals in then add a pint
If the last gas is only 3 gals to fill then just add bout 1/2 pint & you'll be good -
Over time unless you come home every time with a MT tank your mixture will get really screwed up cause you'll never remember how far over/under your 50:1 mix was at last top off
__________________ MY FISHIN BUDDY East Texas Redneck SEMPER FI
USMC '67 - '70
Evinrude 90 HP O/B - Fuel Mixture Blunder
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