2005 115 Johnson PLSOR carb floods for no apparent reason

[Harkonnen]

Tried the project on the water. After about 10 minutes of around idle RPM, give it some gas, motor sputters and dies, strong gas smell, primer bulb limp. Pop airbox, pump primer - there is a gas fountain in the throat of starboard top carb. Pull the carb, remove the float/needle - everything looks normal (carbs rebuilt last year). Put it back together - everything starts, problem disappeared.

What was that, anyways, and what should I do to avoid it in the future?

Thanks!

 

[jakedaawg]

Turn the red lever on the primer solenoid so that it is parallel to body of solenoid.

 

[Harkonnen]

Turn the red lever on the primer solenoid so that it is parallel to body of solenoid.

Ummm... why? First, it is a one-carb problem. Second, the lever is already pointing as manual specifies for Run position.

 

[jakedaawg]

Twas just a suggestion. If yhe lever is not parallel to the body of solenoid then its in the wrong position. I also read your issue wrong upon re reading.

Aside from a stuck open needle and seat a primer valve is the next logical place where fuel can pass while squeezing bulb.

 

[jakedaawg]

Maybe I should have said "verify" I stead of turn.

 

[Harkonnen]

Twas just a suggestion. If yhe lever is not parallel to the body of solenoid then its in the wrong position. I also read your issue wrong upon re reading.

Aside from a stuck open needle and seat a primer valve is the next logical place where fuel can pass while squeezing bulb.

Sorry if it came across as rude; wasn't meant as a challenge. This seems to be cropping up in one carb at a time, so I doubt it is the primer. If you look down carb throat and squeeze the bulb, there is a small gas fountain. Has to be needle/float sticking, but I am not understanding why and why it disappears.

 

[Crosbyman]

rusty hinge pin on the float ? ... gasket snagging the float ?
bad float ? is the pull down clip installed on the float arm

 

[racerone]

That round gasket / washer may not be used on plastic carburetors.

 

[Harkonnen]

Have not noticed anything wrong with any of those; replaced late last year and everything seemed about right. Snagging on the gasket might be an issue.

 

[tphoyt]

Definitely sounds like the float was stuck.
Has it been sitting dry for some time?

 

[Harkonnen]

Definitely sounds like the float was stuck.
Has it been sitting dry for some time?

Nope, and it seems like it got stuck while the motor was running, so I am not sure what to think.

I have a suspicion that a good whack would have freed the float, but I really don't want to be sorting those things out on the water.

 

[racerone]

It is totally normal for the bulb to be soft when motor is running

 

[Harkonnen]

It is totally normal for the bulb to be soft when motor is running

True, but it wouldn't go firm until I "fixed" the float issue.