Bad Gas...kicker won't run?

Lured In · 03-07-2006, 07:28 AM

Okay...I admit it, I am not the sharpest tool in the shed. I did not treat my kicker or my kicker gas tank over the winter.

So I figured I would have a bit of work to do and changed the plugs, got some carb cleaner, etc and went to work on it Saturday.

After getting it cleaned up and new plugs installed, it would start and run for 5-10 seconds and stall out. The water pump was working and all seemed fine. Reprimed it and fired it up again only to have it stall out. My guess is possibly water in the gas or the gas has finally gone belly up.

So that leaves me with what next? Looks like a fuel filter and cleaning out the carb bowl?

Also, how do I dispose of the old gas? Is there any easy way aside from just moving it to another container? (Only 2 gal).

Any other thoughts would be appreciated.

Queeg · 03-07-2006, 07:40 AM

Always good to clean the carb bowl - make sure the float is floating.

If you have a gas can you don't want back, you can take the old gas to Metro. Actually, you can go back later and get your can ... I didn't bother.

I used to have a neighbor who treated blackberries with gasoline ...

FastActionRodTip · 03-07-2006, 07:40 AM

Quote:

So that leaves me with what next? Looks like a fuel filter and cleaning out the carb bowl?

if it ran fine before you put it away then this is where I'd be starting

danger · 03-07-2006, 09:59 AM

If it is only two gallons of gas, I'd put it in an old work car or truck. Dilute it with a full tank and you wouldn't have a problem.

Dan

Herring Problem · 03-07-2006, 10:51 AM

Sounds like the idle speed jet is plugged up. Remove jets ,clean with fine wire to unplug, spray carb cleaner into jet, replace and maybe this will solve the problem. I would remove the primary jet and do the same thing to it. Gas corrodes and then forms a film that plugs up the jets in the carb. Not real hard to fix. Good luck!

Lou · 03-11-2006, 12:49 PM

Is the sqweez blub OK? They need replacing
once in a while. If it runs for a time then
dies--I would look there also.

troutman69 · 03-11-2006, 03:19 PM

I agree about checking the bulb. I had the same problem. My engine would quit in about 10 seconds. I found that if I squeezed the bulb, I could often stop the engine from quiting. I replaced the bulb and now the engine runs great!

Lou · 03-11-2006, 03:45 PM

Yeh, I found out the hard way also.
I am carring a spare now.

Lured In · 03-12-2006, 09:45 AM

Bulb works good, but thanks for the reminder.

I still haven't got around to the jets yet, so for now, the boats remains a one motor machine.

Lou · 03-12-2006, 09:55 AM

My bulb worked also, except under pressure from
the fuel pump-when the bowl filled it would allow
the gas to run back into the tank. Try another tank
and bulb. One of my motors refused to run in the spring,
no mater what I did the fall before. I had to take
the carb apart and clean it before. I think it is still
hanging in the barn. It's retired now.
Good luck!