Starting boat engine after 1.5 years of storage

[ich...@ak47.algebra.com]

I have a boat with a mercruiser 228 HP (GM 305).

The boat has not been started for 1.5 years (not used due to baby).

Prior to storing I winterized it properly.

My question is, what is the proper procedure to start it.

igor

[Don Bailey]

I don't know If this applies to a 305 but
I started two 150hp outboards after 9 years
of storage like this.

I removed the spark plugs from the engine.

I then poured Marvel Mystery oil directly into
each spark plug hole until it couldn't hold any more.

Next, I HAND CRANKED the engine around a few times
until most of the oil had drained.

-Engines fired right up. Lots of smoke.

If I had to do it again, I would have rebuilt the carbs BEFORE
I cranked them up.

db

<ich...@ak47.algebra.com> wrote in message
news:slrnabbdhm....@ak47.algebra.com...

[ich...@ak47.algebra.com]

On 11 Apr 2002 16:25:14 GMT, Karl Denninger <ka...@FS.Denninger.Net> wrote:
>
>In article <slrnabbdhm....@ak47.algebra.com>,

>The biggest problem is going to be the fuel in the boat.
>
>Its almost certainly nasty.

In what way?

igor

>--
>--
>Karl Denninger (ka...@denninger.net) Internet Consultant & Kids Rights Activist
>http://www.denninger.net Cost-effective Consulting
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[Don Bailey]

Gas has a "shelf life" of about 60-90 days.

Unless you put Stabil in the gas, you should not use it.

If you did put Stabil in,
Open the gas tank (if you can) and have a look around.
I did this through the depth sending unit hole.
My gas looked clean.

Pour some of the gas in a clear 2-liter jug. check to make
sure it looks clear. Then smell it, If it does not smell VERY potent
like gas should, Don't use it.

Some will argue not to use it PERIOD. I used 1/2 the old gas in my
boat (about 75 gals) in my old pickup truck (ran fine) then mixed
the remaining 1/2 with new gas. The boat ran fine.

db

<ich...@ak47.algebra.com> wrote in message
news:slrnabbg3d....@ak47.algebra.com...

[ich...@ak47.algebra.com]

On Thu, 11 Apr 2002 13:10:28 -0400, Don Bailey <d0n...@netzero.net> wrote:
>Gas has a "shelf life" of about 60-90 days.
>
>Unless you put Stabil in the gas, you should not use it.
>
>If you did put Stabil in,
>Open the gas tank (if you can) and have a look around.
>I did this through the depth sending unit hole.
>My gas looked clean.

Thanks. My experience with old gas is that it is not bad as some claim.

I will try to check it however and follow your precautions. So how does
the bad gas look/smell like? and what are the possible consequences of
using such?

igor

[Don Bailey]

<ich...@ak47.algebra.com> wrote in message

> Thanks. My experience with old gas is that it is not bad as some claim.
>
> I will try to check it however and follow your precautions. So how does
> the bad gas look/smell like? and what are the possible consequences of
> using such?
>
> igor

As far as looks,

You shouldn't see any "trash" in the gas. It should be clean
If it is water contaminated, you will see the water droplets
in the bottom of the 2-liter.

As far as smell...

You know how you smell the potency of gas when you get a good
whiff of it when filling up the car? That's how it should smell. Gas that
has lost its potency will not smell potent.

I would probably try to mix some new/fresh gas with it if all checks out ok.

Again,

If you didn't put any Stabil in it when you stored it, You should probably
look for a way to get rid of it. I don't know what to tell you about that.
I was fortunate and didn't have to dispose of 150 gallons of gas in
my boat.

mmm...I could imagine any number of bad things that could happen
to your carbs if you use gas that is on the verge of being "gummy"
or has "gummy" globs in it. Not to mention how the rest of the engine
would fair.

db

[Rod McInnis]

ich...@ak47.algebra.com wrote:

> Thanks. My experience with old gas is that it is not bad as some claim.
>

I had a rather expensive lesson with old gas not too long ago. My
advice is that if it doesn't smell like gasoline, don't pump any of it
into the carburetor or fuel system, and certainly don't try to use it
anywhere else!

In my case, the bad gas had a very rotten smell to it. When poured
into a glass jar it was no longer clear, but had a very cloudy
appearance. The boat started OK on this gunk, but in very short order
the carburetor got so messed up it was unbelievable. I ended up
replacing the fuel filter, the fuel pump, rebuilding the carburetor,
replacing all the fuel lines. I had to remove the fuel tank and have it
cleaned out (radiator shop).

The hardest part was disposing of 15 gallons of bad gas.

Rod