Gas leaking in engine case normal?

[papakevin]

OK, a dumb beginner question here. I notice there is some gas/oil mix collecting inside the motor case on my 1988 48 Evinrude SPL. It's not a big amount, but enough to make a noticable smell of gas. The carbs have been replaced and recently cleaned by a very good (but very expensive shop). <br /><br />I've been told this gas puddling is very common with outboard motors. Is this the truth? Anything I can and/or should do? Please advise. Thanks.

 

[JB]

Re: Gas leaking in engine case normal?

Not true, Kevin. You are at risk of explosion/fire.<br /><br />Moving to Johnson Troubles.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Gas leaking in engine case normal?

JB - is any mess "normal" in a two stroke? Reason I ask is that my '82 V6 always seems to have a little bit of messy oiliness to it. Not a lot, just kind of oily, messy (repeating myself)coating. No gas smell, no puddling, no obvious leaks, and smooth and well running with "normal" gas mileage for a big gas hog like this. I was looking at a friends Yammie from the same era (mid 80s) and it was clean and dry as a whistle of course his has about 50 hours since a complete rebuild, while mine has about 300 hours since I've owned it.

 

[papakevin]

Re: Gas leaking in engine case normal?

I can't seem to "see" where this leak is coming from. There is a smell of gas, which my son says gives him a headache. I do have a problem with the motor running rough at idle, but at top speeds it is running fine.<br /><br />The carbs were installed new last year, prior to me buying the boat. I just took it to the repair shop for the rough idle/dying when it went into gear problem, and the removed and cleaned both carbs completely. Still idles rough, but at least it goes into gear and doesn't die. I plan on taking it to the lake tomorrow, so any help is appreciated.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Gas leaking in engine case normal?

My Evinrude is 9 years old and its spotless.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Gas leaking in engine case normal?

Your symptoms point to crud in the carbs regardless of what was done or who did it.

 

[Basscat 1]

Re: Gas leaking in engine case normal?

Originally posted by Kevin Matthews:<br /> The carbs were installed new last year, prior to me buying the boat. I just took it to the repair shop for the rough idle/dying when it went into gear problem, and the removed and cleaned both carbs completely. Still idles rough, but at least it goes into gear and doesn't die. I plan on taking it to the lake tomorrow, so any help is appreciated.

Have you had it out on the lake since you got it out of the shop?

 

[papakevin]

Re: Gas leaking in engine case normal?

Yes. I took it out on the lake. Idle was very rough (even rougher than before it went into the shop), but it did go into gear without dying and ran fine. Had it on the lake for about 1 1/2 hours, running at or near WOT most of the time. Motor runs great at WOT, idles bad (motor kinda jerks side-to-side) but keeps going. <br /><br />The shop said they removed and cleaned both carbs. Told me there was water in the tank, completely removed it and cleaned it. I got the old gas back, and it looked fine (no water in the bottom of either container). Of course, I put new gas in and I'm keeping the old gas for the weedeater.<br /><br />Any thoughts on where to look for the gas leak? Could the gas be coming out of one of the carbs thru the air cleaner?

 

[Boilermaker]

Re: Gas leaking in engine case normal?

Hi Kevin,<br />I am not sure if this applies to your engine, but I had a similar problem (gas smell & puddling in engine pan) when my 1978 johnson 115 came back from a local "high quality" Johnson dealer/shop. <br />After a carb rebuild and "going over my engine with a fine tooth comb" checkup, I had a gas smell & I noted my primer bulb didn't get as hard as before. I had the engine cover off and was squeezing the bulb & heard a "hissing noise" I had my wife squeeze the bulb while I looked and found that the shop had left the fuel line "clamps" (Nylon zip-ties) off the lines going into both carbs. Fuel was just dripping out the carb while the engine ran. Easy fix & saved on my fuel bill. <br />It burned me up because I asked the mechanic to just make sure the boat was safe>>>what ever it would cost. I didn't care about anything but safety because I was putting my wife and 2 young sons on the boat for the first time. I won't be back to that shop again!<br />

 

[papakevin]

Re: Gas leaking in engine case normal?

Excellent idea, I'll give it a look this morning and reply back with an update.

 

[papakevin]

Re: Gas leaking in engine case normal?

Boilermaker,<br /><br />Thanks for the suggestion, but it appears every hose has a zip-tie. I ran my finger around each one, and it came up clean. I have no idea where it is coming from, but it is a real pain.<br /><br />Thanks again...

 

[Geoff Smith321]

Re: Gas leaking in engine case normal?

I have no idea where it is coming from, but it is a real pain.<br /><br />Hi Ya my friend, this is the first time I've attempted to help anyone on this forum so here goes. I had a simular problem with my Johnson 70hp VRO, same symptoms, turned out to be the little rubber 'O' ring inside the hose connector from the fuel tank. Hope this helps.<br />Cheers.

 

[papakevin]

Re: Gas leaking in engine case normal?

I'll give it a look. Thanks.

 

[alderman]

Re: Gas leaking in engine case normal?

One other place you might check if you can get to them would be the drain plug screws on the carbs. Possible that they did not get reinstaled right after the rebuild. On my 1971 25hp rude its on the front bottom of the carb bowl. But one thing is for sure you don't want any fuel leaks inside the motor cover or anywhere else for that matter. My 25 rude and my 63 sea king both stay dry as a bone. let us know what you find.<br />Ray

 

[Sherman]

Re: Gas leaking in engine case normal?

Check the back of the fuel pump. There is a small hole in the casting that is there to relieve backpressure or something. I have had the diaphragm blow twice and the only symptom was gas coming out of this hole when the primer bulb was squeezed.

 

[Buckeye-Basser]

Re: Gas leaking in engine case normal?

I am having a similar problem with my brothers 85 hp 1978 johnson. I know where the fuel is coming from. There is a hole in the top front of the carb. When the engine is running fuel is pouring out of it on the bottom carb. The hole is supposed to be there and runs down to the fuel bowl. After checking diagrams I don't believe it needs to be plugged. Both carbs were just rebuilt. Top one is not having this problem. It will not idle, but i can get on the throttle and see will run. Losing a lot of fuel though.<br /><br />Any Ideas.