MacGregorSailors.com

Having trouble with our honda 50 and called the dealer. They said in the last few years that all the gas additives turn the gas to jelly real fast gumming up the engine. Their recommendation is to put fuel additive in the tanks year round. Probably worth the few dollars...

I've been hearing the same thing, especially with ethonal. My mechanic recommended an additional fuel filter with at least a 10 micron webbing. He said it almost guarentees to catch the 'gunk'.

Have you guys been adding any fuel additive to the tank prior to you just being told this? How long (years, or weeks, or months) have you been running your Honda's before having this problem?

Ray

I use Stabil in all my gas even if I am sure it will get used quickly. I have never had any problems with my carbs in 2 years of use but use it as a precautionary measure with all the horror stories I have heard.

I have not used an additional fuel filter but it may not be a bad idea. Does anyone know if a higher quality filter is available in the same form factor as the factory one (to avoid having to put an in-line in the gas lead)?

Kelly

We need to use our unleaded fuel within 3 months or throw it away as it just turns to gum and blocks the fuel system.
I understand the additives help but it would be expensive if they don't.

I add one ounce of Stabil to every 6 gallon tank of boat gasoline, since I know there's a chance it will sit for awhile. That seems to be adequate, since the Suzuki EFI has never balked or stalled. It might be that those carbs & their tiny passages are more sensitive than the fuel injection. At least the EFI has a gonzo fuel pump pushing it thru ...

Never had a problem with the boats but motorbikes, chainsaws and mowers have all gummed up.
The 15hp honda on the dinghy doesn't like anything but premium and was going to put premium in the Etec but the dealer said not to, maybe thats why it pops a bit too?
Might give that a try with a small amount.
It wouldn't matter how big the pumps or jets are when the fuel gums up as the whole lot goes like tar.

I've been putting Stabil in every tank, regardless of how fast I use it. Last thing you want on a motor these days is carb problems. No such thing as an expert anymore if you've got carb problems...

what is worst.... if I need work, I need to trailer my boat about 1.5 hours to the closest Honda dealer/mechanic... and I live in NYC Metro!

My engine is stalling out.....won't idle below 1000rpm. I am going to change everything over, try running some gas through with gunk out...and hopefully the jelly will pass.

Is "Sea Foam" the same thing as Stabil ? And if so, will it work as well?

They are different products but are basically accomplishing the same thing. Some folks say that SeaFoam is better, but I suppose there's folks that have used Stabil for years and are happy campers too (yours truly included).

Ya pays yer money, ya takes yer chances.

Took the boat out of the water, with 40 litres still on board, back in November last year, no additive to the fuel, started first time in May this year. Maybe I was lucky or maybe this fuel addative is a load of nonsense!

I pour Stabil in the tanks the first time I fill up, and continue to add some in as I add gasoline througout the season. This is my third season with the Honda 50, and I have never had a problem.

I also have a Merc 6hp for my 9.5' Achilles, and do the same routine. The Merc only gets used for two weeks in August, and has never failed to start.

Ray


On edit: I just noticed I am now a Captain

I had no carb problems in outboards even using year old gas, from 1970 until Michigan started replacing MBTE fuel oxygenator in gasoline with ethanol. I then had strandings, tows, gummed carb rebuilds. wasted weeks awaiting repairs, etc. I learned about E10 the hard way. E10 is now almost unavoidable here and MI gas station pumps need not and so are not labeled to indicate that E10 is being pumped.
I understand from the supplier that my marina fuel dock gasoline is still ethanol free...... I suspect not for long.
Some web searching (eg the archives here and on trailersailor.com, also BoatUS.com, for a start) will detail the several E10 problems for sail auxiliary outboards and the limited ways in which you can try to protect your OB fuel system from E10. I have yet to find, from any one source, a complete and comprehensive list of rules for troublefree OB operation in the present gasoline market. If you find such a list , please post it.
Ron

My Honda 50 idles great, runs to 3000RPM great, but above that gets sluggish. I ordered carb parts yesterday. Unless anyone can diagnose my problem from the scant clues above, I'll let you know what happens with my first-time-in-my-carbs overhaul. I am thinking it is gum in the "cross-hairs" that my dealer says exist in the jet.