Fuel spilling from Carbs

Bigplumbs

Bigplumbs

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The 60 hp 2 stroke Mariner has overflows on the carbs. When I tilt my engine full up for trailing the petrol flows out of these overflows and all down the inside of my transom.

Apart from running the engine dry after use (which for some reason I don't like doing) anyone got any answers to this issue

Thanks
 
petem said:
Why don't you like running the engine dry? The whole point of this is to drain the carbs isn't it? Even the manual for my little Mercury tells you to do this.
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1) it is quite a pain as quite a lot of fuel in them
2) I just don't like carbs sitting dry for long periods. No real logic just me

Dennis
 
To be fair, it is better to leave the carbs dry for long periods, than it is to leave fuel in them
 
CLB said:
To be fair, it is better to leave the carbs dry for long periods, than it is to leave fuel in them
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I no longer have an outboard, however when i did the sole problems were caused by evaporating fuel leaving gum behind.

This seems to be a particular issue with small outboards as the jets and so on in the carb are minute. Last summer we were with a friend with a Targa 47. He has a 2 / 3 hp outboard. Worked for the fit day then nothing. So fed up he bought a Williams 285. The final diagnosis - minute amount of residue blocking the carb as the pipes were so tiny.

Aquatom on here used to fix mine, and by coincidence also looks after friends boat above.

No idea about bigger engines, but getting the fuel out seems a sensible suggestion to avoid gumming the carb which must over time have an impact.
 
stelican said:
Your problem is the float chamber needle valves not seating correctly ,still I guess you knew that. As other have suggested prudent to run carbs dry after use.
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Isn't this just fuel running out through the vents when the engine is tilted? Nothing to do with the needle valves.
 
penberth3 said:
Isn't this just fuel running out through the vents when the engine is tilted? Nothing to do with the needle valves.
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Absolutely. Nothing to do with the needle valves. Just the tilting that runs it out through the vents/overflows. No problems when in the vertical direction
 
I don't mind running a 4 stroke dry, but am wary and dubious doing it to a 2 stroke. Especially one with premix. Running it lean and hot without lube takes me back to early biking days and soft seizing the engine running down long hills with the throttle shut. They've improved now I know but old habits die hard
 
BruceK said:
I don't mind running a 4 stroke dry, but am wary and dubious doing it to a 2 stroke. Especially one with premix. Running it lean and hot without lube takes me back to early biking days and soft seizing the engine running down long hills with the throttle shut. They've improved now I know but old habits die hard
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I turn off the fuel and run mine until the idle speed rises slightly (which is a sign that it’s going lean and about to conk out).
There’s not much point running it lean for those last few seconds just to get the last few drops out of the bowl, as the pickup isn’t right at the bottom of the bowl anyway.
But leaving the carb full is not a good idea unless you are planning to use it again the next day.
 
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Reposition the lower ends of the drains so that you don't affect their ability to prevent the engine flooding, but so they don't drain the carbs on tilt perhaps?
 
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