2006 40hpELPTO 2 stroke, is some white smoke normal?

[SpearTub]

I got my remote steer 40hp started finally. The old fuel was the problem, I even think somebody had made a premix. first day trying to use it at boat ramp it wouldnt start and then had a loud backfire, then lot of oil in the water. Old fuel.

So I ran some of my cars 95octane fuel through it home with water hose and muffs on it. Started 3rd turn over, but what I didnt know before is how to choke it. One issue is the neutral idle seed level on the throttle control only works when its fully lifted, it needs some work, there is no increment. I can see with hood off it only controls the throttle lever when its fully pulled up, its stiff too. Is this hard to fix?

So she started nicely with new fuel and correct start procedure. BUT, after about ten minutes running with water streaming out nicely, it had some white smoke start to happen. this is add pure idle speed. Does this mean one of my cylinders is getting water inside it, or is there a less worrying explanation for the white smoke?

 

[SpearTub]

I forgot to say please help

 

[Chris1956]

White smoke is usually steam. On a cold day, some is to be expected out the exhaust. You should not see much/any on a warm day.

The temp of the engine is controlled by the thermostat. If it fails, the engine could start to overheat, causing steam even on a warm day. Thermostats do not last forever. You might check or replace yours

 

[airshot]

Running high octane fuel is no benefit to your motor at all. Use a fuel additive that cleans the system like sea foam , or other fuel stabilizer.
If your engine is rated for 87 or 89 octane fuel the high 95 octane can actually make the engine run poorer.

 

[SpearTub]

Running high octane fuel is no benefit to your motor at all. Use a fuel additive that cleans the system like sea foam , or other fuel stabilizer.
If your engine is rated for 87 or 89 octane fuel the high 95 octane can actually make the engine run poorer.

wasnt meaning that, just thats what I had on hand. The lowest octane we get here is 91, which most use. We dont use the car often so wouldnt be surprised if its close to 91 octane now. . Yep I was going to run a fuel line cleaner like seafoam through it. We dont hav seafoam here but there is a Mercury and a Yamaha products that do the same thing. Not sure if that would help stop water getting into the cylinders though would it?

Its not like the air was thick with baloons of steam but it was not what I was expecting to see after ten minutes idling it.

 

[SpearTub]

White smoke is usually steam. On a cold day, some is to be expected out the exhaust. You should not see much/any on a warm day.

The temp of the engine is controlled by the thermostat. If it fails, the engine could start to overheat, causing steam even on a warm day. Thermostats do not last forever. You might check or replace yours

So what are the tests I should run for the thermostat?
If its not that how do I diagnose a minor fault from a major one like a cylinder leak or worse a head gasket leak?

 

[SpearTub]

I found this interesting which suggests it can be normal

Why Does the Outboard Coolant Stream Sometimes Steam?

 

[Chris1956]

Hang the thermostat in a pan of water on the stove. Stick a thermometer in the water as well. Heat the water and observe the 'stat. It should open at about 140F

Or just replace it.....

 

[SpearTub]

Ok cheers.

Ive been thinking about getting a drum for flushing out instead of muffs, but im not sure what people prefer that? You still have to leave the hose runhing with the tell tale spitting/draining the water out?

 

[airshot]

Ok cheers.

Ive been thinking about getting a drum for flushing out instead of muffs, but im not sure what people prefer that? You still have to leave the hose runhing with the tell tale spitting/draining the water out?

Muffs are so much quicker and easier !!

 

[Chris1956]

I like to use a tub at the end of the season to give the engine a good flush to get all the salt out.

 

[airshot]

I like to use a tub at the end of the season to give the engine a good flush to get all the salt out.

Not around any salt water, so asking out of curiosity...why a tub ? I would think muffs would be a constant flow of clean water to flush, where as a tube would be circulating deluted salt water. My thinking might be off here as I have never lived around salt water but have a curious mind.....

 

[Chris1956]

Tubs are a bit safer than a flusher. Flushers can fall off or get a kink in the hose. You need to watch them closely to make sure they supply water whenever you are running the engine.

 

[airshot]

Tubs are a bit safer than a flusher. Flushers can fall off or get a kink in the hose. You need to watch them closely to make sure they supply water whenever you are running the engine.

Does make some sense, I can say I have never experienced any of those issues, but I have good muffs, no Chinesium models...