Fuel Leak + No Spark Plugs but runs great - help - 115 HP

[water n oil]

Re: Fuel Leak + No Spark Plugs but runs great - help - 115 HP

I'm a novice to these outboards myself, but just thought you might want to check the threads on the cylinder head. In my experience with V-8's is that a spark plug usually doesn't just "unscrew" itself with the plug wire still attached. I've seen where the plug comes loose and eventually blows out of the head with the threads still attached to the plug and the plug wire is the only thing holding it. Then again I'm a novice myself...

 

[lncovert]

Re: Fuel Leak + No Spark Plugs but runs great - help - 115 HP

I think the previous owner must have taken the plugs out to replace them, but forgot. The threads are still intact.

I'm a novice to these outboards myself, but just thought you might want to check the threads on the cylinder head. In my experience with V-8's is that a spark plug usually doesn't just "unscrew" itself with the plug wire still attached. I've seen where the plug comes loose and eventually blows out of the head with the threads still attached to the plug and the plug wire is the only thing holding it. Then again I'm a novice myself...

 

[fishdog4449]

Re: Fuel Leak + No Spark Plugs but runs great - help - 115 HP

Jesus you made 32 mph with only two cylinders?
No wonder JohnnyRudes are the best motors. My Merc will barely run on 3/4.

 

[clemsonfor]

Re: Fuel Leak + No Spark Plugs but runs great - help - 115 HP

First off im amazed that this is not a joke, but either way i am getting a huge laugh from this. If you are truly clueless, there may be other issues, which may be why you havent blown up yet, like no spark on that bank of cyls. With the vaporized fuel spraying out of the holes and the dangling wires grounding to whatever metal they touch while swinging free, im amazed too that you havent blown up yet! Like i figure the previous owner was probly trying to diagnose a problem like no spark and then got tired and just sold it as is, you bought it , and why would he tell you if you did not find it on your own, he got rid of it and you ran it. This may be why you have not caught on fire, but if the fuel did ignight it would not stop since you have vaporized fuel blowing into hood every time that motor turns over, and i beleive you also have another leak on the carb bowls up front, either a float bowl gasket or drain plug. It would not cause you to overheat if ignighted just burn up and it would not matter then.

Just a hunch it may be no different with the 2 other plugs in, b/c i sustpect your getting no spark on those plugs.

Yes fuel will deteriorate most plastics w/ or w/out oil in it, unless its fuel safe, which the transducer mount is probably not.

How did you find a transducer to match a fishfinder from the 80's i doubt that it was that old if you redily found a souce for the transducer bracket and sensor itself. Maybe you got a whole new depthfinder?

But for safty sake at least put plugs in it and ground the wires to the plugs even if you dont have spark b/c fuel in the hood is a hazard, also check the carbs for leaks by pressurizing the system, by squeezing the fuel primer bulb and watching for gas leaks on the bow side of the engine where the carbs are located?

-Nate

 

[lncovert]

Re: Fuel Leak + No Spark Plugs but runs great - help - 115 HP

Thanks for the advice, Nate. Well, the previous owner said he didn't know if the engine ran or not but that it did 4 years ago (the last time he used it). I got such a good deal on the boat, that I was happy to pay that for the hull only...if the engine worked it was a plus. It cranked the first time and every time after that. It's pulled me slalom skiing, kneeboarding, etc. for over a year now. Up until a few days ago the engine was just a box that magically worked. Up until now I just haven't had to get in and start learning the engine. I've been learning other things like the electrical system, how to change trailer bearings, etc. I have changed the lower gearcase fluid and the power tilt hydraulic fluid but that's all I've done to the engine to date.

The old fishfinder was a Humminbird TCR-ID3 from the 80's. It worked great until the transducer ripped off in the lake (now I know it's because the fuel leak deteriorated the plastic -- great lesson in chemistry!). So...my wife bought me a brand new Humminbird 383c GPS/fishfinder combo. Then I noticed a couple of months later that the brand new transducer mount had also deteriorated (crumbled). Then I noticed the paint job I had spent many weekends on sanding and painting was bubbled up from the transducer up to the bilge hole in the transom. That's how I found the fuel leak and that's what forced me to look inside the engine compartment. That's when I noticed the two dangling spark wires and empty plug holes. I don't think the spark wires were touching the engine block as they bounced around because they are insulated and the terminal is slightly recessed in the insulation.

Now, I am jonesing to put in the 2 missing plugs and see what the engine can really do. I'll check and see if it still has a fuel leak after I put the plugs in. Hopefully, it won't.

I noticed that when I pump the fuel bulb and then tilt the engine (all with the engine turned off) that the fuel drips out of the engine somewhere. When I pump the fuel bulb, can the fuel go into the cylinder and spill out the open spark plug holes or does the engine have to be on for fuel to be injected into the cylinder. Because...if the engine has to be on for fuel to be injected into the cylinder, then I think there must be some other leak (besides the missing plug holes) because it's leaking without the engine on.

Anyway, I think I've learned alot about engines just from this small problem...I also learned to keep expensive plastic items away from any fuel or bilge drain!

 

[clemsonfor]

Re: Fuel Leak + No Spark Plugs but runs great - help - 115 HP

No the gas will not fill up th e cyls if you pump it or it should not and even if carbs are out of adjustment probably wont fill up that bad. Yes the carbs can still leak if the engine is off, because there is still gas in the carbs if you pump the ball, and it can leak out several places.

To others, after thinking about this, i was wondering how much gas will get sucked up into the cylinders, without the plugs in as there would be no compression/suction to pull gas through the carbs, or are the other cylinder compression enough to get some into the plug less cyl?

-Nate

 

[iwombat]

Re: Fuel Leak + No Spark Plugs but runs great - help - 115 HP

That's a good point, Nate. Certainly some will get sucked in only because the spark plug hole isn't big enough to dissipate all the compression at high rpms, but it's not going to be like it normally would. I imagine that might not bode too well for lubrication in the lower end.

 

[lncovert]

Re: Fuel Leak + No Spark Plugs but runs great - help - 115 HP

Humminbird said they will send me a free replacement transducer mount. Thanks, Humminbird!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Fuel Leak + No Spark Plugs but runs great - help - 115 HP

The motor is a pump, air and fuel will be pumped through it with, or without sparkplugs. It's the up stroke of the piston that sucks air and fuel into the crank case, as the piston goes down it's forced into the combustion chamber, by that time everything has oil on it.

 

[rudedude]

Re: Fuel Leak + No Spark Plugs but runs great - help - 115 HP

If you have fuel in the float bowls and tilt the motor up, a lot of times what you have is the fuel comming out of the carbs.

You ran this motor for a year ? Only 2 plugs in it? You ever want to get rid of that motor you just call me!


Amazeing, simply amazeing.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Fuel Leak + No Spark Plugs but runs great - help - 115 HP

ondarvr - of course.

- slaps forehead -

thanks for setting me straight.

 

[Ranger 330V]

Re: Fuel Leak + No Spark Plugs but runs great - help - 115 HP

so have you put the plugs in it yet?? I'm axious to see what that thing will do...32mph on two cylinders...I bet you'll get 45 with all four...this is one of those stories that you hear and you know deep down if that were me, I would've blown up, sunk, seized the motor, or something BAD would've happened...lol. I have a friend that has a dodge cummins just like me...I am maticulous about my truck...he never changes his oil, greases, or anything unless I'm around to tell him to...and his truck ALWAYS goes....with my luck if I didn't change my oil one time when I normally do it would probably throw a rod...lol. I know there are some out there that know what I'm talking about.

 

[mikesea]

Re: Fuel Leak + No Spark Plugs but runs great - help - 115 HP

This is a story for the bullitan board for sure.Sir,you better hold on tight when you put your 2 other plugs in.You should also enjoy better fuel consumption.For any agnostics,this wasn't luck.The big guy watches out for the innocent.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Fuel Leak + No Spark Plugs but runs great - help - 115 HP

I'm surprised no one else mentioned this....

that transducer placement SHOULD NOT be within 18 - 24 inches of the centerline of the boat, the disruption of water flow at speed can cause problems with the prop, bubbles in front of the prop cause cavitation.

Just re-mount the sender off to one side at bit.

Please get ahold of the manual, read it and maybe also sign up for a boater awareness course, a little time reading can save you a LOT of grief and money later.

 

[lncovert]

Re: Fuel Leak + No Spark Plugs but runs great - help - 115 HP

I finally went to the Auto store and bought some plugs. They only had about 5 different ones and only 1 type that said "marine." But...the number matched the ones that I had. Something like Champion L77 JC4...surely, there are more than 1 type of plugs for all of the outboards that exist. But, I guess I was lucky with finding that same number.

So, I put the new plugs in and now it is really tough waiting until Saturday to take the boat out again. I am excited though. Y'all have me pumped about all of this extra horsepower I should expect, and I am also pumped about learning about engines. I read a lot about chainsaw motors the past couple of days, since they are supposed to be the simplest. I have a good feel for those now I think. Still need to get a service manual. Y'all know your stuff well! I can only hope to know a small percentage of what y'all know one day.

Thanks for all of the help.

Lance

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Fuel Leak + No Spark Plugs but runs great - help - 115 HP

Now he tells us we have to wait until Saturday. Does somebody live close enough to him to get the boat on the water tomorrow? I can't wait that long to find out what happens.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Fuel Leak + No Spark Plugs but runs great - help - 115 HP

as Artie Johnson used to say "very interesting, but stupid"

 

[lncovert]

Re: Fuel Leak + No Spark Plugs but runs great - help - 115 HP

Sorry for the wait...I'd much rather be on the lake with the sun on my neck and the water splashing in my face than in the lab under flourescents.

Now he tells us we have to wait until Saturday. Does somebody live close enough to him to get the boat on the water tomorrow? I can't wait that long to find out what happens.

 

[Hoss the Hermit]

Re: Fuel Leak + No Spark Plugs but runs great - help - 115 HP

Now I know how my wife feels about her soap operas!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[rudedude]

Re: Fuel Leak + No Spark Plugs but runs great - help - 115 HP

You better go out at daylight ,run the thing then load it up, get home and POST what it did .


I will be sitting watching this thread all day now.