Gas leaking when tilted for travel.

[rbzbozzy]

I have a 1995 Johnson 115. It's a good strong motor and starts on the first try. However, I have a problem with gas leaking when the motor is tilted for travel. Not only does the excessive gas odor present a problem but the gas/oil mixture is cusing a ugly stain on the lower shaft. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[racerone]

Disconnect fuel line and run some fuel out of carburetors before tilting. -----And clean up that red RTV stuff before it gets into a reed valve !

 

[rbzbozzy]

rb fuel.I had tried that and fuel would run back out (slow drip) at the fuel connector on the motor. I'm not sure if I understand how to achieve the running out of carb fuel. Our local boat ramp is very busy with bass fisherman and they would not like it if i set there at the ramp to run out the carb fuel.

 

[interalian]

I usually disconnect the fuel line at the motor and let it idle while cranking the boat up onto the trailer. Only takes a short time before it runs out, then tilt and pull up the ramp. If you raise the idle lever a bit, it'll burn the fuel faster - watch you don't over-rev.

 

[flyingscott]

If your VRO is connected DO NOT run your motor out of fuel. Gas leaking is normal for a for a tilted motor. Look at your reclaim hose and airbox gasket

 

[Rustywrench]

It appears that your are using the oil injection on the motor so you can't unhook the fuel line to run the fuel out. That will induce huge air leak & the pump,will fill the carb bowls with oil. Motor will be hard to start next time & your bass buddies really won't like you then. Looks like you have a built in gas tank with a vent? (If you are using 6 gal tanks tell us now, it makes a difference!) Attention is needed at the air box cover & gasket. The RTV has got to go as mentioned. RTV & gasoline hate each other. The bolts that hold the plastic cover on are a pain. People/mechanics love to,leave them out, but every last one is needed to seal things up properly. When you get things cleaned up put a new gasket on the plastic cover with very little 3M 847 or appliqué adhesive. NAPA has both. You just need it in enough places to get the gasket in place.
You could check to see if the float levels are high in the carbs? Now is the time. Should be level with the body turned upside down. If it has plastic lower carb bowls they warp.
How high are you tilting the engine for towing? Just need to go high enough for the trailer bracket on the engine. Motor toters
& other type can put the engine too high? Just a few suggestions. Hope one or two helps.

 

[racerone]

I think I will test that first theory and see if carburetor bowls are " full of oil " when fuel is run out.

 

[interalian]

I think I will test that first theory and see if carburetor bowls are " full of oil " when fuel is run out.

Following

 

[racerone]

There are many motors that run from portable tanks.-----And often they are run empty.-----Hook to the other tank and away you go.----Are there warnings on portable tanks / in manuals that say " DO NOT RUN EMPTY " of fuel ?----Tall tales I would say.-----I can not see the carburetor filling with oil as the engine is pulling fuel from the bowl.---And the pump can not deliver oil to the carburetor as there is no gasoline coming into the pump to deliver that oil.----Time to understand how these things work I would say.

 

[Rustywrench]

Maybe I shouldn't have said " carbs full of oil" but the mixture will go real oil rich. As you like to say racerone that's a fact. The VRO works on fuel flow with oil flow metered by that fuel flow (all on one shaft) air motor, fuel pump, oil pump. When you introduce an air leak (or restriction) the air motor works harder try to make up the loss of fuel to carbs. The faster stroking is working the fuel pump harder therefore the oil pump is cycling more. More oil, less fuel rich mixture. (We don't have a fuel restriction here). The longer the situation occurs the richer the mixture will be thus I should not have said full of oil. That does occur, but under different circumstances. Obviously guys run out of fuel with six gallon can & switch over to continue. It would be a short cycle. When things are normal the VRO/OMS only cycles about 4 strokes per minute, but when air/restriction come into play it can over cycle & almost have a rattle sound. Not good!

 

[flyingscott]

I have run my vros out of fuel. They wind up being hard starting and smoky.

 

[rbzbozzy]

It appears that your are using the oil injection on the motor so you can't unhook the fuel line to run the fuel out. That will induce huge air leak & the pump,will fill the carb bowls with oil. Motor will be hard to start next time & your bass buddies really won't like you then. Looks like you have a built in gas tank with a vent? (If you are using 6 gal tanks tell us now, it makes a difference!) Attention is needed at the air box cover & gasket. The RTV has got to go as mentioned. RTV & gasoline hate each other. The bolts that hold the plastic cover on are a pain. People/mechanics love to,leave them out, but every last one is needed to seal things up properly. When you get things cleaned up put a new gasket on the plastic cover with very little 3M 847 or appliqué adhesive. NAPA has both. You just need it in enough places to get the gasket in place.
You could check to see if the float levels are high in the carbs? Now is the time. Should be level with the body turned upside down. If it has plastic lower carb bowls they warp.
How high are you tilting the engine for towing? Just need to go high enough for the trailer bracket on the engine. Motor toters
& other type can put the engine too high? Just a few suggestions. Hope one or two helps.

No VRO. It was disconnected and the hose is plugged. Those chrome vents are for ventilation only. Only tilt the motor enough for support pole. 6 gal tank. Lately I have been running the motor after disconnecting fuel hose from the motor.

 

[Rustywrench]

Portable gas tanks are not vented except when motor is running. High pressure can occur after shut down from heat (sun). It will overcome the needle seats in the carbs. May be one of your problems? Motor may be running with pressure in tank. Pop you're tank cap to see if it makes a difference.

 

[rbzbozzy]

This is my first boat that I have owned that has the portable 6 gal fuel tank. Priou boats have all had fuel tanks. I may be doing something incorrect here. I just placed a new post about problems I've been having lately with my boat taking a few minutes before the engine will take off at full throttle.