I got a tip.

Atter reserchin WB's handy dandy preventative maintenance threads, I've come across a hole in his list. I think. I could be wrong. I was once. But that was along time ago an then somebody just the other day told me in fact I was right. But anyway back to the point. Oh yea I hate to sound like WB, but this could just save your life or maybe yo marriage or something anyway.

Saturday durin our tournament we put the boat in the water around 5:45am and ran about 40 minutes to our spot. Got there with no problems other than I wasn't dressed fer the occasion but that's another story. Boat ran like a champ. Well we feshisehd this area til bout dinner and started workin our way back toward the ramp. Stopped at another spot and fished til bout 1:45. By this time it had warmed up enuff to say it was bleepin hot. So we decided to run back to the boat ramp and fesh that area. We got back out in the main river and decided we better hurry up so we would have a little time to fesh. So I opener up purty good and we head out. Atter runnin bout a mile, she kinda fell oner face and would only turn bout 4400 rpm's. I could back off the throttle and she would pick back up to bout 4800 but that was it. So we limped on back in. Made it fine but she just wouldn't run like she's supposed to. Now I had just changed plugs inner the night before and bought good no ethylnol gas and added normal dose of stabil.
Tip is: Change your fuel line and bubble each year. Ferget the cost just do it. I took mine off this mornin along with my filter, which by the way was clean, and I cut the hose open. This baby was clogged from one end to the other with varnish and gel. The bubble was the same. I ain't tried it in the water yet, but it shore fired up in the yard quicker. Was talkin to a boat mechanic today and he said when it fit warm, the line was prolly collaspsin and causin a shortage in fuel along with the clogged artery.

I will spend the $25 from now on.

Minner, are you talking about the main fuel line from the tank to the motor with the bulb you pump to get gas in the line? And remember I'm new to all the mechanikal type stuff but I AM TRYING to learn how to fix thangs. Is there another fuel line yoos talking bout? Mines been a doing close to the same dang thang. Sometimes it'll run like a top but it's sluggish and spits and sputters at times

I KNOW Ima get blasted for this BUT here goes

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Originally Posted by DonDon

Minner, are you talking about the main fuel line from the tank to the motor with the bulb you pump to get gas in the line? And remember I'm new to all the mechanikal type stuff but I AM TRYING to learn how to fix thangs. Is there another fuel line yoos talking bout? Mines been a doing close to the same dang thang. Sometimes it'll run like a top but it's sluggish and spits and sputters at times

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DonDon, Look around under the cowlin and in the back storage area or wherever your gas tank may be and tell me how many fuel lines you see.(Pre-Green cup). I'm assumin yours is like mine and there's prolly one comin from your tank to maybe a filter or water separator and then one from that to the carbs.
Yes the one from the tank with the bulb you squeeze ya gewber. But now that I mentioned it, I will be changin the one from the filter to the carbs too. I just didn't have enuff hose clamps to do the job properly.

Mine had a yellowish orangeish brownish gunk clung to the walls of the hose. Course after 10 years, I guess it should have.

So no matter how much you think you run your boat, this ethynol balnkety blanking blank is crap. I put an ounce of stabil in everytime I put gas in and it didn't stop it.

Ethanol also dissolves the rubber especially in the bulb, and that will clog your carbs for sure. Good thread Minner.

Thanks for the tip. I had a problem last year with mine. When examining the fuel hose, I found splits in it. They could only be seen when holding the hose in the light and bending it one way or the other. Replaced and problem solved.

I think we had this discussion some time back. We also discussed what was the best products to put in your tank. Sea Foam, Stabil, Lucas, etc.. There are a hundred products on the market. I personnally use Sea Foam. I talked to owner of Sea Foam and he said to put one can in each tank per year. I have my motor services every January without fail. I put a can in each tank everytime I fill them up. Torch has them for 6.99 each. I figure $100.00 worth of Sea Foam is batter than $6000.00 for a power head or something else. Remember, the moter is the most expensive part of the boat.

Thats why you need the ethanol resistant fuel lines and bulb. Most regular fuel line is black and the ethanol resistant fuel line is normally gray. If the line does not have ethanol resistant stamped on it then its probably regular fuel line.

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Originally Posted by G3 Fisherman

Thats why you need the ethanol resistant fuel lines and bulb. Most regular fuel line is black and the ethanol resistant fuel line is normally gray. If the line does not have ethanol resistant stamped on it then its probably regular fuel line.

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That's the first I've heard of that one. Thanks G.

All of the newer boats have that Maj....Mine is a 2006 and it came with it. There is also a difference in the fuel line that goes in your enclosed compartment and the line that comes from the bulkhead fitting to the outside where your bulb is and on to your motor. The line in the enclosed compartment is a heavier line....I think its doublewall or something for safety.

Thanks for the tips, I'll check mine out.

Is non-ethanol gas that hard to find down there?

creek....I only know of a couple of places with non ethanol gas in my area. I have been using 10 % ethanol in everything I have now for 5 years. I use Marine Stabil in the boat and I have not had any problems....I ran my boat for 4 years without a water separator filter....I finally put one on the boat last fall. I use Stabil in my lawnmowers and weed eaters, chainsaw, etc. never had a problem.

Minner, you are correct sir. I left my boat at Enid for two weeks last year at the campground. Came back and put her in the water. Hit the starter and fired up like a champ started to head out of Bean Creek and she fell flat on her face. I whirled her over and nothing. Got up went to the primer bulb and squeezed and squeezed. Never would get hard and prime up. All the sudden I felt a burning on my thigh and looked down was covered in gasoline. Squirel or rat had eaten the fuel on the underside about 2 inches long. Thank goodness I could cut it and splice back in.

I change my fuel line every year.

Boy this is some great info. Thanks guys.

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Originally Posted by Hook One

Boy this is some great info. Thanks guys.

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What did you expect HO? A bunch of nonsense gibberish that had absolutely nuttin to do wif feshin? I'm amazed you would feel that way. Have you been on that MO board again where all the commotion stays stired up? Geeze.

I had never heard of the gray fuel line.

It is ethanol and alcohol compatable, won't break down

Just talked to my mechanic bubby and he said they put them on everyday. They buy the gray hose by the reel and the bulbs by the box. I told him I would see him tomorrow after I get through fishing.
Thanks Minnerman!

I need to change the spark plug as well. I run SeaFoam through mine every other tank and then Stabil the other times but have filled up without having either and put STP fuel treatment in it.

I can't believe it.....Minner finally started a thread that is worth something, Lol :D

I'll have you know G3 this makes the third one I've started. So pffffffffffft pffffffffffft ya ol geezer.

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Originally Posted by DonDon

I need to change the spark plug as well. I run SeaFoam through mine every other tank and then Stabil the other times but have filled up without having either and put STP fuel treatment in it.

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if ya gonna go to the trouble to change one spark plug, go ahead and change em all.

Well....I know of two for sure :D

Good work Minner. That subscription to "Gewbers Today" is really paying off for you in spades.

Wannabe...

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Originally Posted by minnerman

if ya gonna go to the trouble to change one spark plug, go ahead and change em all.

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:d:d:d Bwahahaha

There's more than 1? LOL Dude, I ain't took the cowling off but 1 time, that's it so I ain;t sure what's under that thing

Welp, ran the boat Friday and Sunday with no problems at all. Seems like fuel line & bulb were the culprits.

well I was gonna brag on him till he picked on the mo. board, oh well I like everyone else or most everyone else learned something today. thanks minnerskinner

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Originally Posted by beagle man

well I was gonna brag on him till he picked on the mo. board, oh well I like everyone else or most everyone else learned something today. thanks minnerskinner

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C'mon Beagle, you gotta read these post wif both eyes. I was bein sarcastic and pokin more at this board than the MO board. Minnerskinner? Dang you sensitive today.

Is there a gray bulb on the market, and where do you find them? Just looked over on the Mercury website, and all I saw was a gray hose with a black bulb. ($32.10)

Color does not really matter as long as it is alcohol resistant. It should be marked on the hose.

Just go to your local boat mechanic. As much a they like the work, they, or at least mine, hates the ethanol and will help ya. They had rather replace your lower unit instead of tryin to clean this junk out of your cards. My mechanic even has a sign in his shop statin that ethanol voids all his carburetor work.

Thanks for the info!