outboard trouble

[jmsjordan]

Have a minor issue with outboard that only happens early in morning and only when its below freezing. I have a 2000 200hp EFI Mercury Saltwater Edition outboard. I have had carb outboards all my life, new to this type of motor and with Ethanol creating havoc not sure if that is part of the problem. This is what happens....

Twice in the past month, early morning with frost on the ground (boat is stored under carport outside) motor will crank over and run rough for about 5 min and sputter out and not start again. During this 5 min period it smokes real bad. It seems that its not getting gas and is using what gas is still in the lines until its gone, and the excess smoke is from oil injection stll doing its job, just not with proper gas. Later in the day engine will crank and run a little rough for about a couple minutes and run like a race horse.

I cant imagine the gas line is freezing, because we really havenet had severe cold weather and hasnt lasted all day and night, and I would imagine it would still have to be really dern cold to freeze the lines. There has been about 1/2 to 1/4 tank (48 gal capacity) of gas in tank for past 3 months with stabalizer only. Gas does have ethanol in it.


1) Is it possible that there is water in tank from the ethanol and it freezes and keeps gas from getting to engine?

2) I usually go to Drakes Creek marina to get ethanol free gas. Is this what everyone does? Or do I even need to bother gettng it there and regular gas is fine?

As I said, im new to this size/type engine and mixed with the ethanol...not sure what is best procedure to do. Previous engines had carb's and I would run the ethanol in them, and just rebuilt the carbs every year...but over the past couple years sometimes rebuilding them didnt fix problem.

any and all information or suggestions are well welcomed and thanks much!

[Buccaneer]

Are you running any sort of fuel treatment? Regardless of fueling up at a marina with "ethanol free gas" you should be running Seafoam or Startron treatment for your fuel whenever you get gas. I have a 2004 150 Johnson with Carbs and always run Startron fuel treatment in every fill up. Never had a problem and have been running the 10% ethanol from any regular gas station from day 1.

[gboyce]

I agree with the fuel treatment. You may have some bad gas or just carbon build the the treatment will help. I use any old plain gas and just add the Ethanol stabil to my gas and have not had any issues. IMO opinion I would guess that the marina doesn't sell much gas this time of year and probably get condensation in their tanks and you are getting some water in your gas. This is only a guess and I may be way off base but that could be your issue.

If that doesn't fix the issue call Mike at Marine Electric here in Hendersonville. He has all the computer gear to work on the Mercury's and is a great source of information. He can probably tell you whats wrong and how to fix it. He does most major work to my Optimax and answers any questions for me for DITY projects. Only thing I am not using him for is I am needing a rebuild on my motor as I have a piston going for that I will use Rich's Marine in Lebanon for the rebuild.

[punchs]

I run a 351W in my jet boat and it is tempermental in cold weather as well. In fact I had to use a bit of ether the other weekend since the choke was not seeming to work. My engine will start up when it's cold and die out after a couple of seconds because it is not choked properly (could be your issue). It will however start up again and run for longer periods of time until after the second or third try when it just starts running normal. If you are getting ethanol free then I do not see how it could be a gas issue. I gave up on that hassle a long time ago. I just get premium gas and add in the marine sta-bil every tank. Sta-bil takes the water out and controls the problems that ethanol creates. I know a lot of people who still run ethanol free only but I have to say that it is not worth the extra effort to go so far out of my way for something a 4$ chemical can do.

For all outboard questions, see dealer :) They are complicated heads that I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole.

[old sailor]

I would take a look at fuel filter if you have not checked it.

[jmsjordan]

Thanks for the info!! The manual for the motor said it is ok to run 10% Ethanol in engine. Last time I had it serviced at Drakes Creek Marina, they told me to never run ethanol in it(may be trying to push the sale of there gas though). I did decarb it this summer with seafoam. I will drain the tank and refill with ethanol gas/seafoam. Should I worry about keeping the tank near full during winter/all year? Or if I add the can of seafoam/fuel additive, then I shouldnt worry about it?

Thanks again
James

BTW it just has a reagular fuel filter on it. I have seen fuel/water filters but they are larger than one on outboard now. I'm not sure if one would fit on outboard with the top on. If not can I put it inline with the fuel line under the rear storage with batteries/oil tank and all else?

[jmsjordan]

And yes...Mike is great guy. You dont get "free" help like that anymore from many ppl. Always willing to help.