Unsure of age of pre-mixed fuel---1983 90HP questions as well

[edmaude]

I just picked up a 1983 90hp on a Boston Whaler with a 63 gallon tank on it. The fuel in the tank is pre-mixed and I pumped out approx 4 gallons today that look ok with no phase seperation. The gas smells like gas and the boat also has a remote filter which I plan to change.

Do you think I can safely run the engine with this fuel? The prior owner believes it is less than a year old. Since I did not mix it myself I can only assume it is 50/1 as well.

Also, I had a 1989 100XP on my prior boat and it had the warning alarm system. From what I can tell the 1983 motor does not seem to have the sensors on it. Does that seem right? The control is also an original morse unit, not an OMC control like I am used to

Other than the fuel issue the motor runs strong and appears to be barely used.

Ed

 

[Bosunsmate]

Re: Unsure of age of pre-mixed fuel---1983 90HP questions as well

It should have overheat alarm/sensors.
if it was 63 gallons left in the tank id think to heck with it and use it, if its only 5 gallons id burm it off. Id add a 100/1 mix just to be safe and if thats runs it smokey, pump some out and put in some fresh fuel

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Unsure of age of pre-mixed fuel---1983 90HP questions as well

The 83 engines were the last year of the older-mechanical type fuel pump. They required pre-mix fuel. The next model year began the auto-mixing (VRO) pumps. Since your model has no VRO system, the only engine warning horn system is for overheats. Your engine has two overheat switches-one in each head, just like your prior engine. Normally, those switches feed an overheat horn in the control box. Since you have a non-factory box, you may find that there is a remote warning horn mounted somewhere under the dash by the captain's seat. You may find it close to the key switch.

 

[Bosunsmate]

Re: Unsure of age of pre-mixed fuel---1983 90HP questions as well

If you separate one of the brown wires (one at back of each head) from the overheat sensors emdsapmgr was mentioning and ground it you will hear if it has a working horn. Theres normally a black sleeve on the wire you can slide up and it can be disconnected there. Touch the wire strand that isnt going to the sensor to a bolt or something grounded

 

[phillnjack2]

Re: Unsure of age of pre-mixed fuel---1983 90HP questions as well

drain it all out and put in fresh fuel.
if its 5 months old its rubbish anyway,unless had stabiliser in with it !!!!!.

i would take out the tank and clean it out anyway if i just got the boat.
if the owner is not sure how long its been in there, then im pretty sure he dont know whats in there with it.

if there is 30 gllons in there just put it in a barrel and chuck in some old automatic transmission fluid and oil engine oil
youl have a lifetimes supply of penetrating oil.

its not worth buggering up the outboard for what its worth if you dont know the age of it.

you could also just run it down the river flat out for 3 hours and it will be gone even if a full tank.
then start again with nice fresh juice.


phill