www.iFourWinns.com

Hi Ric, Good Luck! Seriously, I hope you have a great day. Enjoy!!!

Hi SI. My 190 never had this problem until a few years ago. I have replaced both the high pressure and low pressure fuel pumps over the years. I replaced the spin on fuel filter last Monday. I put 15 gallons of fresh fuel ontop of the 2 gallons from last season, (October). Yes, there was Stabil in the old fuel. I also put some Berryman B-12 Chemtool in the tank when I fueled up the otherday. I think I am ggod fuelwise. I will clean the spark arrestor this am and will pull a spark plug for the part number. Plugs, wires and cap/rotor are my next maintenence goal.

I was wondering if I had dirty injectors that is allowing the fuel pressure to drop thus requiring the system to be repressurized? I don't see any fuel leaks. Sometimes I get a fuel smell from the bilge, (engine compartment/ski locker). So, I always run the blower before starting the engine. I have had the floorboard up and I didn't see anything obviously leaking.

Is there something common that leaks in the gas tank/fuel system on these boats?

Thanks!
R, Steve

Steve, I'm not sure what the issue is. I had an occasional faint fuel smell. I never did find any cause. You mentioned dirty injectors. You might try a bottle of injector cleaner. I am not normally a believer in "snake oil" products, but I have had good luck with fuel injector treatment in my previous truck. It sounds like your fuel should be good. Did you open the tank and look for contaminated fuel or water?

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Surface Interval: A scuba diving term for that time between dives to relax and prepare for life's next great adventure.

Current boat: '02 FW 268 Vista
Previous boat: '95 FW 190 Horizon

Hi SI. Thanks for the response. I have not opened the tank. I use as much fresh fuel and additives as possible. OMC 2+4 is good. I like Berryman B-12 Chemtool and HEET. I have a friend who builds race engines. He has told me about his experiences with Luca injector cleaner. He says it's really good. He also has mentioned that several engines have caught fire when he was using it. What??? Um, next! I wonder what he did wrong? I may need the caustic injector cleaner that attaches to the fuel rail directly.

It's been 18 years. That's a long time. My boat looks really good, but it's still been 18 years. I need to face the truth that it needs more attention than what I have given it in the past. That is a testament to what a great boat they built way back when.

I need to pull up the floor panel over the gas tank and do a serious evaluation. There are fittings that are screwed into the tank. Maybe they need to be re-sealed. Perhaps some hoses need to be replaced. There could be a ventilation port/check valve that needs to be inspected and maybe replaced.

Thanks for the suggestions.

R, Steve

Hi, I had a smell of fuel for a season when I first purchased my boat in 2010 everytime I took the cover off at the dock I could smell gas. It turned out to be the elblw coming from the tank. It needed a 1/2 to 3/4 turn to seal it. It's been fine since.
Ray

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Thanks Ray, I'll check for problems like what you described.

In reference to the faint fuel smell, check the gasket under the fuel sending unit, it is a cork gasket that dries out after a while. The boating shops sell a replacement gasket kit that includes new screws with sealer on them.
I lift up the fuel tank hatch and tighten all the fuel hose clamps every 2 years or so.

One thing I would advise to anyone with an I/O or inboard is to put in a fuel vapor detector.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Where do you place that fuel vapor detector?

The sending units cannot get wet so I put mine at about the same level as the starter but on the transom behind the engine. I have it powered by the ig switch so it doesn't kill the battery with the boat on the mooring.

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Hi Lou, are you a boat mechanic, or just a real savvy guy? Whicheve, thank you for sharing your education and information.

I pulled no. 1 spark plug. It is beautiful other than some fuel deposit coloration. The center electrode is square and properly gapped. There are 135 hours on these plugs...over 16 years. Is age alone a reason to replace plugs?

The cap is still good with very little resistance. The rotor shows some increased resistance where the two pieces are held together. That's getting replaced.

The ignition wires have 4k - 5k ohms resistance per foot each. My understanding is that they should be replaced when the resistance reaches 5k ohms per foot. Is that correct?

Thanks

R, Steve

Not a professional mechanic, but a shadetree/driveway mechanic for well, about 42 years....that's why I know how to adjust ignition points and Quadrajets LOL...our cars had them then!

In reference to the spark plugs, if the electrodes are not worn, and the threads and body of the plug are not corroded, then you can still use it....Here in salt water land...we replace frequently....because if you don't....they might be corroded in place...I usually change them every other year.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I know points! I can do points! My old jeep still has contact breaker points.

Thanks Lou!

What year Jeep?
I recall back in the old days, they had:
AMC engines (232, 258 sixes, 304, 327, 360 and 401 cu in V8s)
Chrysler Transmissions (the un-breakable Torqueflite)
Ford Carberators
GM Distributors (with the little metal window to adjust the points with the allen key, I had a flex one with a screwdriver handle on it for our '72 Chevy).
For a time (67-70?) the full size Wagoneers had Buick 350s, and GM Turbo 400 auto trannies.
So Jeeps have had just about everything under the hood and in other places....

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Which model jeep? 41-45 MB with the willys 4cyl flathead, prestolite ignition. Old, old school.

That's even older that me lol
My OMC has a Prestolite...

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Years ago, I had a neighbor whose Ford truck wouldn't start. I set his points for him and it fired right up. He was astonished...I wasn't. That's why we don't use points anymore.