Today was the first non rain or non wind day since who remembers. Linda had a Dr. app. real early so when we returned we decided to head out. Water is high everywhere but after being a land lubber for a week, we said what the heck. If the fish don't bite we can enjoy the ride and the scenery. We launched the boat, parked the truck and got prepared to get underway. The motor didn't hit right away and then when it did it wouldn't run but about 5 seconds and then stop. Started it again and the same thing. I repeated that until I realized we had a problem. Now to get the boat on a drive on trailer with the water so high I had to back the truck into the water to be able to float the boat on the trailer. Luckily, a nice young feller who was running a motor in the next slip came over and helped us. In fact he came over and pointed out some stuff on my motor that I had no idea was there. After we got it loaded and I was thanking him. I found out that he's the mechanic at the prop shop I use. I told him I'd head home and do a little checking but most likely I would see him before the day was out. When I got home I disconnected the fuel line off the motor, jammed the valve open and pumped some gas into a cup using the bulb. It was nasty looking so I set is aside for a while and went get a drink. By the time I got back it was enough time for the gas and water to separate. I had about 4 ounces in the cup and when I returned it was 3.999 oz. of water and only the smell of gas on the surface. WoW. That was a shocker. Where did all the water come from. I know we had a lot of rain this past week but wow. My fuel vent cover is off but its been off for 3 years with no trouble. I did put in some gas right before launching, but who knows. I will talk to the station tomorrow to see if anyone else had a problem.

Now that I knew what the problem was I had to correct it. I had to remove a lot of stuff out the boat to be able to reach the fuel tank to empty it including he sending unit. Pumping gas with a hand pump isnt' fun but after I got all of it I could, there was still too much left in the tank. I went to Walmart and bought a small hand pump made by Pennzoil to pump oil out of an engine. It was only 8 bucks so I figured it was worth the try. It worked perfectly and only a few ounces were left. I made a mop of a 1/4" dowel and and a shop towel. I inserted the mop through the sending unit hole and moped up the rest. It came all out. I loosened the drain screws on the 3 carbs and let them drain. It was getting late and I was tired. I tried to replace the sending unit but gave up. I'll tackle it tomorrow. I will then put fresh gas into the tank, pump the bulb until I get clean gas out of it. I will then hook the line to the engine and pump fuel into the carbs while the drains are open to flush them out. I will attach the hose and say a prayer and give it a crank. I fully expect it to turn over and start quickly and run good. Then it will be a trip to the water to really try it out. Any problems or rough running and I will drop it at the shop and let that nice you man who helped us a the boat landing remove and clean the carbs. He says he doesn't understand how I have run that motor 9 years without a carb cleaning. I think it all goes back to using Seafoam all those years. Tomorrow we will see.
"gene"