Wife ain't happy - outboard has turned flaky

[Kenpimentel]

Update:
- purchased a new carb ($180)
- set the idler screw per instructions
- swapped it in
- works better than it ever did! It idles lower than I remember

I also found a place nearby that will ultrasonically clean the old carb so that I have it on standby when this problem occurs again. I'm sure it will, but now I'm better equipped to deal with it.

Thanks for all the responses and suggestions!

Happy wife, happy life!

[AlwaysFORSAIL]

I have the same problem annually and fix it by giving a local mechanic $150-200. I am looking into propane conversion kit which supposedly eliminates all those gas related problems.

[HopCar]

More than sixty posts about carb problems and finally someone suggests switching to propane. I replaced my Suzuki 2 hp, 2 cycle with a Lehr 2.5 because I got tired of cleaning the carb every time I wanted to use it. That little Lehr starts every time no matter how long it sits and the fuel never goes bad in the tank.


I just purchased a Lehr 15 to put on a little 14' plywood skiff I'm building.


Alwaysforsail, you'll lose a little power with a conversion but the increase in reliability will be worth it. I have a generator I start at the beginning of hurricane season every year. I used to have to get the carb cleaned every year. I converted it to propane and now it starts every year without any problems.

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by HopCar

More than sixty posts about carb problems and finally someone suggests switching to propane. I replaced my Suzuki 2 hp, 2 cycle with a Lehr 2.5 because I got tired of cleaning the carb every time I wanted to use it. That little Lehr starts every time no matter how long it sits and the fuel never goes bad in the tank.


I just purchased a Lehr 15 to put on a little 14' plywood skiff I'm building.


Alwaysforsail, you'll lose a little power with a conversion but the increase in reliability will be worth it. I have a generator I start at the beginning of hurricane season every year. I used to have to get the carb cleaned every year. I converted it to propane and now it starts every year without any problems.

Propane is not practicable in the Bahamas. Might be fine if you're using the dink to get to a mooring and back but for cruising forget it.

[onestepcsy37]

Originally Posted by AlwaysFORSAIL

I have the same problem annually and fix it by giving a local mechanic $150-200. I am looking into propane conversion kit which supposedly eliminates all those gas related problems.

Much cheaper to learn how to clean the carb and keep it clean.
I like the idea of propane too - having once worked for a gas company that ran all its trucks on lpg with incredible results - but I'm waiting for others to debug the lehr.
As for electric, I have known several people who used trolling motors, and they work well enough for short runs in protected waters.

[Cheechako]

You know... I just had no fuel or carb issues on my Yamaha 15 used every day in the Caribe for 3 years. are these newer engines just dog doo or what? I had a spin on fuel filter on the transom of my RIB between the tank and the engine...

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

You know... I just had no fuel or carb issues on my Yamaha 15 used every day in the Caribe for 3 years. are these newer engines just dog doo or what? I had a spin on fuel filter on the transom of my RIB between the tank and the engine...

It's the rotten fuel they sell in the US. Bahamian gas is fine, no ethanol. Also it might be that because of the EPA everything has to have closer tolerances.

[zeehag]

9 month lead free gasoline is craqp. is good for cleaning paint brushes only,
new fuel. sta-bil, and in line filter
have fun. that worked for me until i got rid of myt infernal combustion engines fordink propulsion.

[HopCar]

"Propane is not practicable in the Bahamas."
Why not? A lot of people cook with it in the Bahamas.

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by HopCar

"Propane is not practicable in the Bahamas."
Why not? A lot of people cook with it in the Bahamas.

Very hard to get. Between Nassau and Georgetown, for example, it's only available at Staniel Cay and then only if they have it. Quite often they are out and you have to wait for the mailboat to come in (once a week). Then you leave your tank and they fill it by gravity for $20 for ten pounds.

In Abaco only available in Marsh Harbour. If you're in Green Turtle they put it on the boat and you get it when the boat returns.

Most of the Bahamian folks that cook with it have big tanks that they put on the mailboat and get filled in Nassau and returned the following week.

You have to remember your dinghy is your lifeline here. Can't wait a week to get fuel for it.

Waiting for the weekly propane truck in Georgetown. There is another spot also in GT to get propane, if the truck has not broken down and is in Nassau for repairs. On the bright side, they will fill anything, no matter how rusty.