Geez... run a can of carb cleaner through the darn thing. First slowly pour
or spray some cleaner into the throat while the engine is running at high
idle. Don't use too much or you'll kill the engine. Next add a can or two
to your fuel tank. Hopefully the level in the tank is just above empty.

You do have a filter which gets a new element every season, right? You also
use a good dose of Store-N-Start at the end of each season, right?

If, as seems likely, the problem is varnish in the carb the cleaner should
solve the problem. If it is debris you'll almot certainly have to open the
float chamber to solve the problem. However, there is a chance that you can
remove the fuel line from the carb and spray some cleaner into the float
chamber right at the float valve.

Also possible, though unusual, is a float which will no longer float due to
a leak. Also requires disassembly.

Try the easy stuff.... it often works. Good luck.

Butch Davis
"Rich" wrote in message
news
There is no way to fix it without taking the top off. Sounds like you
need
a new needle and seat, maybe float too.

Rich

"Bowgus" wrote in message
rs.com...
V6 3.8 litre I/O with Rochester 4 bbl

I am now confident that the problem that has been plaguing me the past
few
seasons is a sticking fuel float ... sticking meaning not stopping the
fuel
flow. Yesterday I started the boat up in the laneway, it would not idle,
had
to keep the throttle open a bit to prevent stalling, shut the engine
off,
had fuel overflow coming out both sides of the carb until the fuel
pressure
dropped (mechanical pump) ... which is basically what happened maybe 3
times
last season (but I did not notice the fuel overflow) and which would
eventually clear itself.

So, today as I was about to remove the carb, thought I'd try again ...
well,
it started right up, idled fine, all ok.

So here's the thing ... I do not really want to dismantle that old
Rochester
4 bbl if I can possibly avoid doing so. Has anyone had the same problem?
Was
there an easy solution? Maybe pour in the carb cleaner and let soak
overnight kind of thing?

Thanks.

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