Gas, Carbs and Dinks

[boatbum]

So we've been down here two seasons now. Throughout it all as most will attest having a dink down here is a necessity. Beyond that if you want to get out and explore reefs or beaches having a dink makes it all work.
All last year we had no problems. The dink ran like a top and provided excellent transportation. This year it started out that way but within 3 weeks and one tank of gas we started having issues.
I had to pull the carb and clean out this residue from the float bowl that looked like cinnamon once it dried up. We figured it was something left over from letting the tank dry up over the summer when the boat was on the hard. But it hit us again and having been towed back once and rowing back the second time I invested in a Moeller Clear Site filter for the dink. It's way over sized but what can you do when you're stuck? Not having the filter would have led to more of this because the filter has pulled out some knarly looking glop.
That was in spite of draining the tank and fuel lines. Th filter also seems to be extracting more of this 'stuff'.
So here is a photo of it. Anyone have ideas? We have a Tohatsu 18hp 4 stroke with that danged ultra lean tech that requires very small passages in the carbs. The fuel tank is a Wally World Special that at least seals up better than the stock tank.

If you look closely at the images you will see the 'glop' pooling at the aft side of the site bowl.

 

[Capt. Bill1]

Next time set your camera on macro.

Could be fine rust particles coming from where you fueled up? Are you sure the fuel tank is spotless inside?
I like you have found it saves a lot of hassles to have a good filter on the dink fuel line.

I've also found it's sometimes easier to carry a spare carb to just swop out with the dirty one. And then clean the dirty one at your leisure later.

 

[boatbum]

Indeed Bill having a spare carb would be good. At least you don't have to worry about bangin' it up as a part of repairing it. Having big thumbs this is an easy thing to do. And I have done that. It's easy to leave a screw loose and have gas leak all over the place. Been there done that. Locktite is now aboard and being used as appropriate.

I don't think it's rust. The residue is too powdery when it's dry. The stuff virtually disappears between your fingers.

 

[mixman]

Two funnel filters are on the way to me now. One 15 gpm for the boat itself (twin Honda outboards) and one 6 gpm for the little Merc on the dink. Hopefully, the funnel and the 10 micron filters on the boat will be enough. The dink is questionable as it's just a little 2.5hp Merc with it's own little tank. I'll just need to be careful what I put into the jerry can. Hopefully the little funnel filter will do it's job. I'll remember to bring plenty of Star Tron too. I can see it now, I'll get to the Berrys from Florida fine. Then at the next passage, I'll start having engine problems and the conditions will pick up. That's how it was a couple of years ago for us.

 

[Capt. Bill1]

Baja filters?

 

[mixman]

They get good reviews, but the fastest flow rate is 4 gpm. That's a lifetime even with my small 36 gallon tanks. I went with Mr. Funnel via Amazon. Reviews were good. Price was right. And the big one is rated at 15 gpm. I figure I'll toss some crap in some old lawn mower fuel and test them at home to see how they do. If they work, I'm going to hope an pray that my 10 micron filters on the boat will do the rest, and the dink won't have any problems with the little funnel.

 

[Capt. Bill1]

10 minutes or less to fill a fuel tank is a "lifetime"!? You need to learn to slow down.
Last time we fueled in the T&Cs it took 6 hours.

Yeah, I've used both. Don't ever recall having a flow rate issue with the Bajas. But the Mr. Funnel works very well too. And it's cheaper as I recall.

 

[mixman]

quote:

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Originally posted by Capt. Bill1

10 minutes or less to fill a fuel tank is a "lifetime"!? You need to learn to slow down.
Last time we fueled in the T&Cs it took 6 hours.

Yeah, I've used both. Don't ever recall having a flow rate issue with the Bajas. But the Mr. Funnel works very well too. And it's cheaper as I recall.

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18 minutes, if you count both tanks. I'm just the type that doesn't like to "hog the gas dock" when there are people in line.

Good to know the Mr. Funnels work. They're on their way.

 

[mixman]

I can't get this thread out of my mind. I've got the two outboard on my boat to worry about, along with the generator and the dink engine. If I run all the fuel I purchase through Mr. Funnels, should I be alright? Or should I put the bowl filters back on the boat and add filters to the genny and dink? I got tired of the bowl filters on the boat and just went with 10 micron non-bowl filters. They're new and I've got spare set aboard. The genny and the dink will be hard to add decent filters to since they both have their own internal tanks.

 

[boatbum]

Kurt our new filter on the dink is 10 micron also. I added some Gumout on a fill and this time left it alone and put another 4 gallons in it. So far so good.
I'm thinking with good filtration going to the mains you are in good shape. I wonder if the genny and dink are less susceptible due to not being ultra green four strokes?
But it can't hurt to examine and filter the fuel going into their tanks. Star Tron was recommended by one person down here, your mileage may vary.

 

[mixman]

Dan,

It's possible a 2-stroke dink would be a little less susceptible, but probably not my genny (4-stroke Honda eu2000). It's a great unit, but I've had to have that carb rebuilt once due to fuel. However, facts are facts. The only means practical to filter fuel into jerry cans (for the dink and the genny) are the funnel filters. Thus, I guess they should do well for the mains too considering there are 10 microns as "back-ups" in the application.

Star Tron - I have to be honest, I have seen the uproar caused by their fuel milage claims, but I swear by their product for fuel conditioning purposes. I treat every fill up of boat-related fuel with Star Tron and have been very pleased with the results. Heck, at 3.5gph, I don't need any more fuel economy!