Cleaning Carbs Tricks

Aaron

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 6, 2002
Messages
32
Hello All,<br /><br />I have a couple of topics, they may be related, and may not. I have a '92 Mercury 150 XR6 outboard on a 19' bass boat. It starts up well, but once out on the lake, I am having problems getting it going again after I stop and fish for a bit. I found that I need to nutural rev it while turning the key and I can get it to start. I just got the boat and it had been sitting for about 4 years.<br /><br />What I was planning on doing was a full tuneup, it probably needs it anyway and cleaning the carbs. This leads me to my second topic, how to remove and clean the carbs. There are three carbs on it, covered by an plastic intake on the side of the motor closest to the boat. Does anyone know any tricks to this engine, but more importantly can I get some comments on cleaning them once I get them off???<br /><br />Are there settings on the carbs themself that I need to watch out for? jetting? what cleaner do I use? Is there a cleaner I can add to the fuel? It is a 2 stroke and I don't know if an additive is good to use. Any tricks to this would be great.<br /><br />Thanks for the help, great board.<br /><br />Aaron
 

sho305

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 18, 2002
Messages
172
Re: Cleaning Carbs Tricks

Most of the time from storage the gunk will be in the bowl on the bottom of the carb or get sucked into to jet. Remove any jets/plugs and squirt automotive carb cleaner in there. Note position if adjustable jets, ie: x turns in. Most carbs you can spray every passage this way and take the bowl off if you can. Check your filters, pumps, and lines too. Should be able to sqeeze bulb and have lots of fuel come out line at carb. Be careful of seal to motor and use very thin amount of permatex if damaged gasket or replace. And put new spark plugs in every year or two. Check tank for gunk.
 

chumbucket

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 12, 2001
Messages
320
Re: Cleaning Carbs Tricks

What do you mean on the netural rev ?? Motor was idle off position when fishing ???
 

Aaron

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 6, 2002
Messages
32
Re: Cleaning Carbs Tricks

I'm sure I used the wrong term, but by neutral rev, I meant that I pressed the button to keep it out of gear on the drive stick and put it in forward. This put it to WOT while I turned the key and then it would start.<br /><br />Aaron
 

johnyi

Cadet
Joined
Apr 20, 2002
Messages
22
Re: Cleaning Carbs Tricks

Sounds like it might be flooding. Are you choking to start when it's already warm? If so, try starting without using the choke. I use gum out spray with good results when I remove my carbs for cleaning. Also, use new gaskets when you reinstall those carbs.
 

Forktail

Ensign
Joined
Feb 11, 2002
Messages
977
Re: Cleaning Carbs Tricks

It does sound like it's flooding.<br /><br />After sitting 4 years, you may have sticking needles/seats or floats. This would allow fuel to drain into the cylinder under gravity or pressure even without the motor running. You can get rebuild kits for these carbs, or just the specific parts you need.<br /><br />I would disassemble the carbs taking note of needle adjustment positions (count the turns exactly and write it down-for each carb). Use any carburetor cleaner to clean the glop, and then compressed air to blow out the little jets, holes, etc. Make sure the floats are adjusted properly and the needles and seats seal. Not much else can go wrong.<br /><br />I'd drain that old oil and gas, replace with fresh, and replace the filters, etc. The fuel hose may even be deteriorating inside and need replacement. With all that flooding I'd replace the plugs too.<br /><br />Good luck.
 
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