I recently aquired an 86 Sea Ray 230 weekender from my Brother.The gas in the
tank is over a year old.Stablizer was added last summer and there is approx. 20
gal in a 50 gal tank.I recently replaced the impeller in the Alpha one outdrive
and have made the adjustments to the shift cable. I also added MDR start fresh
to the tankThe engine has 230 hrs on it and starts right up but runs rough I
have a problem stalling opon shifting in and out of gear. Could it be the poor
gas quality and if so can i fillup with high test to run it through.Any
sugestions...Thaks Rob Haas

I'd find the local regulations for getting rid of the old gas and pump
it out and put in fresh gas. After 6-9 mo., (esp. in a partially filled
tank) it is (IMO) unuseable. Well, for engines... it makes dandy
cleaner for paint brushes and in small amounts at a time, great starter
for bonfires. My dad (who I love dearly but is getting older and a
little more stubborn) was having a hell of a time with his outboard.
Wouldn't start, coughed a bit, etc. Finally I convinced him to go get a
new tank and hose. It started on the 2nd pull. It's hard to say which
part was the culprit, but for a mere $50 ($30 tank, $15 hose, $5 gas
approx.) it is done. He can go out on his boat again.

Ed

FINNATTIC wrote:
I recently aquired an 86 Sea Ray 230 weekender from my Brother.The gas in the
tank is over a year old.Stablizer was added last summer and there is approx. 20
gal in a 50 gal tank.I recently replaced the impeller in the Alpha one outdrive
and have made the adjustments to the shift cable. I also added MDR start fresh
to the tankThe engine has 230 hrs on it and starts right up but runs rough I
have a problem stalling opon shifting in and out of gear. Could it be the poor
gas quality and if so can i fillup with high test to run it through.Any
sugestions...Thaks Rob Haas

On 26 Jul 2003 12:47:17 GMT, (FINNATTIC) wrote:

I recently aquired an 86 Sea Ray 230 weekender from my Brother.The gas in the
tank is over a year old.Stablizer was added last summer and there is approx. 20
gal in a 50 gal tank.I recently replaced the impeller in the Alpha one outdrive
and have made the adjustments to the shift cable. I also added MDR start fresh
to the tankThe engine has 230 hrs on it and starts right up but runs rough I
have a problem stalling opon shifting in and out of gear. Could it be the poor
gas quality and if so can i fillup with high test to run it through.Any
sugestions...Thaks Rob Haas


Test for sure.
Carefully, bypass the main tank, with a hose into a gallon of fresh
stuff. Then you will know for sure.

But before I venture to blame the carb, or gas.
I look at the human side first and any recent alterations. As you
could have upset the balance and you need to do some adjustments.
Your shifting in and out - may not quite be right.
I would just push up the idle setting first.
Check plugs and timing
If its not that - and your plugs tell you have a mixture problem?


Then - the carb, either has gunk, air leak, needs adjustment. - The
idle jet side sounds okay - but the accelerator pump on the main jet
side seems to have a problem -
And or you are starting on the choke - once it warms up your idle
setting is too low. So check for faulty choke.

You can slide piece of something over the intake, ( to cut off the
air) and then listen - if it dies out as you gradually slide over -
its okay - but if it accelerates - or carries on you got an air leak.

But check the easy stuff first - I hate pulling carbs apart, its last
resort once I know for sure, what it is I am looking for.
Normally I get away with just squirting stuff in them, and fiddling
with that secondary side pump, and or its usually something else.

On 26 Jul 2003 12:47:17 GMT, (FINNATTIC) wrote:

I recently aquired an 86 Sea Ray 230 weekender from my Brother.The gas in the
tank is over a year old.Stablizer was added last summer and there is approx. 20
gal in a 50 gal tank.I recently replaced the impeller in the Alpha one outdrive
and have made the adjustments to the shift cable. I also added MDR start fresh
to the tankThe engine has 230 hrs on it and starts right up but runs rough I
have a problem stalling opon shifting in and out of gear. Could it be the poor
gas quality and if so can i fillup with high test to run it through.Any
sugestions...Thaks Rob Haas

Hi Rob,

We had a similar problem, but never had a single hesitation or sputter
from our gas, and it was about 7 or 8 years old!

Bought the boat with a full tank, and I know from a note left onboard
that Stabil was added. We siphoned off half of a full 50 gallon tank,
and replaced it with fresh, added some lead substitute, a little
Marvel Mystery oil, (as per my mechanics preferences and suggestion),
and a little Stabil, just in case.

Not only did it start right up, but never, and I'm serious, NEVER
hesitated or sputtered in the least.

My 2 cents: gas will last almost indefinitely if properly prepared,
and the tank is absolutely topped off before she sits.

I would suggest a good Racor fuel filter to catch that water before it
gets to the carb, emptied and/or changed often until you burn up the
old stuff.

If your carb has sat awhile, it might need a rebuild like ours did,
but you can get the parts at Napa, or any auto parts store, just make
sure it's the marine quality kit, as I think there's a difference in
the gasket material. Any good speed or hot rod shop can rebuild it for
you.

Hope I helped,
Donny



'74 Trojan Sea Raider 25'

http://www.picturetrail.com/sixbennetts

http://thebayguide.com/rec.boats/donny_bennett.html