Outboard fuel leak?

[SVRocinante]

Good day all all

Outboard is running fine; starts right up, etc., etc., etc.
That said, I just started to notice a substantial sheen on the water when I get to the dinghy dock, so obviously, something is wrong.

Figured I would ask the collective, before I start pulling things apart for no good reason, on the most likely source of said fuel leak?

Thanks again for any help folks can offer!

[piloto]

Check/change your fuel filter, fuel line for cracks and also check the flat plate diaphragm fuel pump on the side of the carburetor for tightness of screws.

[SVRocinante]

Thanks piloto.

[Smokeys Kitchen]

When that happened to me, I discovered that the clip on the end of the fuel line connector that attached the tank to the motor was weak. While it looked like it fastened securely, it really didn't, allowing fuel to drip down the side of the motor into the water.

Cut the fuel line and put on a new connector with a new clip and problem solved.

[SVRocinante]

Thank you Smokeys Kitchen.
Will do; sounds like a good preventive measure even if it turns out to be something else.

[SVRocinante]

Quick update; just in case it can help someone else out in the future.
I pulled off the cowling on my 15hp Mercury Outboard and started her up to see if I could find the source of the fuel leak. While I haven’t repaired it yet; I have to pull the carb out to get to it, I can see fuel squirting out at the diaphragm? gasket (see attached photo)

Ordered the repair kit from Amazon http://amzn.to/2QFMnaA (affiliate link) and should have it by Monday.

Thanks again folks!

[SVRocinante]

Well, the job is done and I was mistaken!
The culprit was #15-16 in the exploded view (see previous post)
You can see where the membrane had ruptured/worn through in the attached image.

Fortunately, it too was part of the the kit I ordered!

[Smokeys Kitchen]

Always nice to get to the root of the problem and get it licked!

[SVRocinante]

Originally Posted by Smokeys Kitchen

Always nice to get to the root of the problem and get it licked!

Yes it is!

[LittleWing77]

Not only the triumph of mystery solved, but also you fixed it yourself - totally cool!

I'd just like to add a thank you for posting the follow-up and solution. That's one of the drawbacks of this Forum - when members don't let us know how things turned out.

For instance, I'm currently wondering how things are going with curtinjuliana's diesel leak and their ICW trip...!

[SVRocinante]

Originally Posted by LittleWing77

Not only the triumph of mystery solved, but also you fixed it yourself - totally cool!

I'd just like to add a thank you for posting the follow-up and solution. That's one of the drawbacks of this Forum - when members don't let us know how things turned out.

For instance, I'm currently wondering how things are going with curtinjuliana's diesel leak and their ICW trip...!

Thank you LittleWing77!
Since you opened the door, I’ll step right on through... first time ever pulling a carb from an engine; dang proud!

And yes, whenever possible I go back and update my posts - figure it just might help someone someday.