Carburetor Maintenance Question

[foxden]

My 99 Yamaha 90hp C90tlrx runs fine. It Starts well, idles well, runs open well, and I want to keep it that way. Are the any recommended maintenance procedures for the carburetors, ie , cleaning, using fuel,additives, decarbing, etc. that I should do to keep things running or should I wait until the need arises?

I do things like gear oil change, impeller, anodes, thermostats, and just wanted to know if I should deal with my carbs.

Thanks

 

[robert graham]

Re: Carburetor Maintenance Question

I've owned the same exact motor as yours since bought new in 1999....never a problem with carbs or anything else. I use a fuel stabilizer like Stabil or Seafoam all the time but a heavier dosage for extended motor lay-ups, a fuel/water separator type filter, drain each carb a few times a year but especially before any motor lay-ups....that's about it and so far, so good!....14 years!...

 

[foxden]

Re: Carburetor Maintenance Question

Thanks. I use Stabil when I know I won't be running the engine. Do you add Seafoam as a gas additive every time? Or do you do the decarbing treatment I've read about?

I've never drained or cleaned the carbs and was wondering if that would be a good idea or just leave well enough alone.

 

[Natty Light]

Re: Carburetor Maintenance Question

carb'd 150
I run Yamalube Ring Free Plus in every tank at the normal dose and have never had a carb issue. Going on three years now.
Some say it's snake oil. I don't.

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Carburetor Maintenance Question

Ring Free does more than just decarbon an engine. It also keeps the gum out of the fuel system. Its actually techrolene made by Chevron. It uses no petroleum product like the others. If there was ever a miracle drug for engines, its Ring Free.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Carburetor Maintenance Question

Thanks. I use Stabil when I know I won't be running the engine. Do you add Seafoam as a gas additive every time? Or do you do the decarbing treatment I've read about?

I've never drained or cleaned the carbs and was wondering if that would be a good idea or just leave well enough alone.

I've always run Ringfree to prevent carbon....it was developed and is made for Yamaha by the Oronite Additives Division of Chevron and works well. I also use the Stabil or Seafoam all the time, but more for lay-ups. On our 90HP 2 strokes draining the carbs is very easy....it's that brass hex drain screw on the bottom/side of each carb....put a rag under the carb being drained to catch fuel and the drain plug if you drop it....don't over tighten it and damage the threads....If you think about it there's only a few places that water/debris can accumulate in your fuel system...the tank, the filter, the fuel/water separator and last but not least the carb float chamber....when I have the plugs out I pump the primer bulb a few times to sorta flush the float chamber with fresh fuel....sounds like a job but it might take 10 minutes and it's great preventive maintenance insurance....good luck!

 

[Mfulfer]

Re: Carburetor Maintenance Question

I agree with Mr. Graham. I personally drain the carbs for storage. I also take a sample of the fuel before i pump it into the carbs. Your looking for water in the fuel and also what shape that your fuel is in. (you waste a little bit of time and gas but it is cheaper that a carb rebuild) Also as old as your engine you want to make sure that your fuel lines don't need to be replaced.(your feeling of the lines .. what your looking for is a soft flexible feeling. If they feel hard replace) At some point you will need to change out you fuel pump. (if you do it yourself it is diaphragm kit but if you pay a tech to do it a new fuel pump is cheaper.) Now to answer the why Ethanol .... your engine was never designed to run it so you have to keep an eye on it.

 

[James R]

Re: Carburetor Maintenance Question

Fit a water trap filter in the fuel line and use Stabil Marine all the time. Read the instructions on the bottle. You should have no more carb problems for a long time. Fuel will stay fresh and Stabil prevents shelac from forming in the carbs.