I will get to the Ethanol portion of this in a sec, but I must bring people up to speed.
Original post of issue https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=31437
So I purchased a 94 15 hp Johnson back in December. In April I had the carb rebuilt. Cost $183. Thanks to Johnny25 on this forum, I did some fine tuning to make it a great little motor. Before I ever started it, I purchased a brand new foam filled metal tank with a strainer on the end of the pick up tube. I also purchased a brand new fuel line. I have had the boat in the water on 8 occasions. I always run through a tank of gas that is correctly mixed 50:1 every two trips. Last weekend, the day started great. Had the boat up to 23 mph after adjusting the trim a bit. All of a sudden, the motor bogged down. Not sure what it was, I limped it back, and put it back on the trailer. I noticed the vent seemed almost closed, but not quite. I figured this might be the issue. So Friday we went out again thinking we found the problem. Got going, got up to about 16 mph, and she started bogging again. Eventually she died, and would not start for about an hour. No one around since it was Friday at noon to help tow us back. Finally got it to start, and got it back to shore. Decided it would be best to drop it off at the Marine place that rebuilt the carb and see what they find. They call and tell me the boat was all set. I ask what did you find, and with there be a charge? They tell me that it will be $288 and that they had to rebuild the carb. I asked why. Friday when I spoke to the guy who rebuilt the carb originally, he said that 2 cycle engine oil is great for stopping the affects of Ethanol, and he was sure that was not the problem, and that since I had a new fuel tank, and line, it must be something else, but he was unsure til he could look at it. So the lady why he had to rebuild the carb again, and why I was being charged for a job he just did three months ago? She said that the carb was gunked up from Ethanol, and that the tech advised going to a plastic tank to keep the rust out of the fuel system. Again. Brand new tank with fine strainer at the end of the pick up, and a new fuel line, and it was not their fault that the gas had gunked up. I also always use Shell 93 octane with Quicksilver 2 cycle oil.
Both times, the original rebuild, and now, I told them to call me with a diagnosis, and cost. Both times they did the work, then called me with the news it was all set, and what I would be paying.
Am I getting screwed some how, or does Ethanol really cause carbs to need rebuilding after every three months of use? I feel like I am going on a ride I did not want to go on. It will be fast approaching $500 for a rebuilt carb. I am sure I could have purchased a new one for that. I thought I had done everything needed to give me a good running reliable motor for years to come. What am I missing? I have been around cars and motorcycles my whole life, and this has made me feel like a beginner to internal combustion engines.
Original post of issue https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=31437
So I purchased a 94 15 hp Johnson back in December. In April I had the carb rebuilt. Cost $183. Thanks to Johnny25 on this forum, I did some fine tuning to make it a great little motor. Before I ever started it, I purchased a brand new foam filled metal tank with a strainer on the end of the pick up tube. I also purchased a brand new fuel line. I have had the boat in the water on 8 occasions. I always run through a tank of gas that is correctly mixed 50:1 every two trips. Last weekend, the day started great. Had the boat up to 23 mph after adjusting the trim a bit. All of a sudden, the motor bogged down. Not sure what it was, I limped it back, and put it back on the trailer. I noticed the vent seemed almost closed, but not quite. I figured this might be the issue. So Friday we went out again thinking we found the problem. Got going, got up to about 16 mph, and she started bogging again. Eventually she died, and would not start for about an hour. No one around since it was Friday at noon to help tow us back. Finally got it to start, and got it back to shore. Decided it would be best to drop it off at the Marine place that rebuilt the carb and see what they find. They call and tell me the boat was all set. I ask what did you find, and with there be a charge? They tell me that it will be $288 and that they had to rebuild the carb. I asked why. Friday when I spoke to the guy who rebuilt the carb originally, he said that 2 cycle engine oil is great for stopping the affects of Ethanol, and he was sure that was not the problem, and that since I had a new fuel tank, and line, it must be something else, but he was unsure til he could look at it. So the lady why he had to rebuild the carb again, and why I was being charged for a job he just did three months ago? She said that the carb was gunked up from Ethanol, and that the tech advised going to a plastic tank to keep the rust out of the fuel system. Again. Brand new tank with fine strainer at the end of the pick up, and a new fuel line, and it was not their fault that the gas had gunked up. I also always use Shell 93 octane with Quicksilver 2 cycle oil.
Both times, the original rebuild, and now, I told them to call me with a diagnosis, and cost. Both times they did the work, then called me with the news it was all set, and what I would be paying.
Am I getting screwed some how, or does Ethanol really cause carbs to need rebuilding after every three months of use? I feel like I am going on a ride I did not want to go on. It will be fast approaching $500 for a rebuilt carb. I am sure I could have purchased a new one for that. I thought I had done everything needed to give me a good running reliable motor for years to come. What am I missing? I have been around cars and motorcycles my whole life, and this has made me feel like a beginner to internal combustion engines.