fuel line troubleshooting 30hp '85 johnson seahorse

[Maldoror]

my motor is bogging a little going into full throttle.
i'm using ethanol fuel with stabil.
where do i begin troubleshooting this?
i have to pump the fuel from time to time after running full throttle for a distance. once the ball had been vaccummed shut..
do i have a fuel/air mixture problem? can i adjust this on the gas tank?
and to check for leaky o-rings on the line do i just look for drips while it's running?

i'm going to clean the carb, but trying to hold off until winter sets in and i don't need the boat.

also, my gears click when going into reverse. is this something that can cause damage or can i wait on that too?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: fuel line troubleshooting 30hp '85 johnson seahorse

If the primer bulb is getting sucked flat then you have a restriction somewhere or the tank is not venting.
Is this a portable plastic tank?

 

[Maldoror]

Re: fuel line troubleshooting 30hp '85 johnson seahorse

yes. is the vent on the tank cap?

i should add that my hose is probably 2-3 times longer than it needs to be.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: fuel line troubleshooting 30hp '85 johnson seahorse

There should be a vent on the fuel tank cap.
Before messing with the carbs i would check the fuel line for kinks or sharp bends,the vent and shorten the fuel hose.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: fuel line troubleshooting 30hp '85 johnson seahorse

what type tank do you have. metal OEM tank, plastic tank. if the bulb was flat the vent is either clogged or closed. also if you have not, i would replace all fuel lines with alcohol resistant fuel lines, because of the ethanol, eats older lines.