carb cleaner fuel additive 2-stroke ? Is there a product available made or suitable for 2-stroke engines which will clean the fuel system including carbs, having similar properties as the excellent Techron fuel additives Exxon makes. I know Exxon is not PC, so let's not start a confab about .....
... note that the two large marine supply stores WM and BW do not seem to have something that exactly fits this description; closest thing is for fuel injectors...... - similar, but suitable for carburetors ??
carb cleaner fuel additive 2-stroke ?
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waternwaves
- Admiral
- Posts: 1499
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 8:18 pm
- Location: X less in North Puget Sound -have to sail other boats for a while
ALX
How old is your outboard....????
original gaskets and O-rings in the Mercs in the mid 90's did not have a good reputatation/record with many of the ethanol fuel formulations that were being used around the country....
They seem to be much better now... but if your carbs/injection are compatible with the ethanol.....it will clean out just about everything..except large rust chunks....
Moe...you have an bigfoot.....seems about 98 the seals and gaskets stopped having problems...????
How old is your outboard....????
original gaskets and O-rings in the Mercs in the mid 90's did not have a good reputatation/record with many of the ethanol fuel formulations that were being used around the country....
They seem to be much better now... but if your carbs/injection are compatible with the ethanol.....it will clean out just about everything..except large rust chunks....
Moe...you have an bigfoot.....seems about 98 the seals and gaskets stopped having problems...????
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Sloop John B
- Captain
- Posts: 871
- Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2004 2:45 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Florida 'Big Bend'. 02x Yamaha T50
The two strokes can really gum up when left alone a long time. I run the fuel out of them by disconnecting the fuel line. Mechanic tells me that helps but doesn't solve the problem. Best to run them at least once a month. He says with earmuffs with plenty of pressure. Cautions that the plastic bucket might screw up with 'bubbles' and cause overheating.
Says the same about the 4 strokes. So, who knows?
Says the same about the 4 strokes. So, who knows?
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Timm Miller
- First Officer
- Posts: 213
- Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2004 4:15 pm
Any carburetor can gum up as the gas evaporates, and ever since oil injection, I don't think 2-strokes are any worse than 4-strokes. Running the engine 'til it dies doesn't get all the fuel out of the bowl, and may leave the main jet immersed even though the fuel level has dropped below the slow/idle jet. There are any number of fuel additives and sprays.
Mercury has Quickleen and Fuel System Cleaner, in addition to PowerTune decarboning spray.
Bombardier has 2+4 Fuel Conditioner, in addition to Engine Tuner spray.
Yahama has Ring-Free.
I forget who makes it, but NAPA carries Seafoam Motor Treatment additive as well as their Deep Creep decarbonizer.
And of course, there's Chevron's Techron, and I use the more expensive concentrated bottle.
Mercury was known to have problems with ethanol fuel, but my manual says it's okay to use fuel containing up to 10%, just don't use methanol. Not sure when that changed.
Mercury has Quickleen and Fuel System Cleaner, in addition to PowerTune decarboning spray.
Bombardier has 2+4 Fuel Conditioner, in addition to Engine Tuner spray.
Yahama has Ring-Free.
I forget who makes it, but NAPA carries Seafoam Motor Treatment additive as well as their Deep Creep decarbonizer.
And of course, there's Chevron's Techron, and I use the more expensive concentrated bottle.
Mercury was known to have problems with ethanol fuel, but my manual says it's okay to use fuel containing up to 10%, just don't use methanol. Not sure when that changed.
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Catigale
- Site Admin
- Posts: 10421
- Joined: Fri Jun 11, 2004 5:59 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Admiral .............Catigale 2002X.......Lots of Harpoon Hobie 16 Skiffs....Island 17
- Contact:
Just a quick note - Dry Gas is basically straight methanol, and I have contemplated putting it into my tanks after winter to scavenge any water that might have accumulated.Mercury was known to have problems with ethanol fuel, but my manual says it's okay to use fuel containing up to 10%, just don't use methanol. Not sure when that changed.
Sounds like I should not do this for a Mercury???
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Don T
- Admiral
- Posts: 1084
- Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 7:13 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: 95 2600 "SS OTTER" - Portland OR - Tohatsu 50 - Hull#64 (May 95)
Hello:
The best long term storage method is to pop the hood and open the drain on each carb bowl. I have been doing this since my Tohatsu was new. This year I decided to pull the carbs and clean them. They were spotless inside, not a hint of gum or deposits. If your boat is in a slip, run it until it dies then put a rag under the carb to soak up any gas that comes out. The cool thing is even the rust that may have accumilated goes right out the drain too. Just don't loose the screw.
The best long term storage method is to pop the hood and open the drain on each carb bowl. I have been doing this since my Tohatsu was new. This year I decided to pull the carbs and clean them. They were spotless inside, not a hint of gum or deposits. If your boat is in a slip, run it until it dies then put a rag under the carb to soak up any gas that comes out. The cool thing is even the rust that may have accumilated goes right out the drain too. Just don't loose the screw.
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Chip Hindes
- Admiral
- Posts: 2166
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 6:13 am
- Location: West Sand Lake, NY '01X, "Nextboat" 50HP Tohatsu
Jim, if after 12 years, you've never drained the carb bowls, forget it.
I have the '00 oil injected Tohatsu 50. In five years have never drained the (three) carb bowls, usually winterize in mid January after the boat has sat idle for 60-90 days, and with new gasoline and plugs in the Spring it starts after cranking for 8-10 seconds.
This baby positively thrives on neglect, and only a fool would mess with this kind of success.
I've frequently admittted to a hefty dose of four stroke envy, but every time I see one of the guys on this board whine about his Honda/ Yamaha/ Mercury/ Suzuki I have to chuckle. At least Tohatsu got one thing right.
I have the '00 oil injected Tohatsu 50. In five years have never drained the (three) carb bowls, usually winterize in mid January after the boat has sat idle for 60-90 days, and with new gasoline and plugs in the Spring it starts after cranking for 8-10 seconds.
This baby positively thrives on neglect, and only a fool would mess with this kind of success.
I've frequently admittted to a hefty dose of four stroke envy, but every time I see one of the guys on this board whine about his Honda/ Yamaha/ Mercury/ Suzuki I have to chuckle. At least Tohatsu got one thing right.
