Woe is Me: my carbs hate me!
 

Well, after noticing a slight wetness under the cowling of my 2002 Johnson 115HP V4 looper early in the season, the wetness became a steadier leak. I took the lower cowlings off today, and lo and behold, at least 3 of the carbs are leaking from the little BB in the float bowls that BRP used to plug the molds in the plastic bowls. Maybe have a little warped bowl action going on, too.

Maybe have a stuck float or valve, too, as the lower carbs dribble a little gas when tilted up for any length of time.

Anyone want to buy into the pool on the final mechanic's bill to rebuild all 4 carbs at NJ prices? If we get a good response, we can turn this into a 50-50 where half the proceeds go to the member with the closest guess, and half goes to the mechanics's bill?

Just kidding, moderators - I would never encourage an immoral and illegal act of gambling on such a fine site as this!!!

Carb Rebuild Cost
 

Hey Sailor- about 10 years ago I think I paid about $800 to rebuild the three carbs on my ‘85 Merc 150 in Greenville, SC. Expensive yes, but it ran better than it had in quite a while. Got another five years out of it. 28 total, half of it in salt.

How many ways can you say "Bend Over" :eek:
Take those cheap plastic fuel bowls off and deck them
on a flat bed sander.... Worked on my ole' Johnson 90 !!

Have you checked the price of a rebuild kit?
There is nothing difficult about rebuilding carbs, as long as you work in an organized manner on a very clean surface.
Check YouTube for rebuild videos and tips, buy a can of carb cleaner and go to it! Also, be super careful with those plastic bowls, they are fragile.
(I know this from experience 0.o)

Well, after reviewing my budget with my wife, who reminded me that A) we have two kids in college needing tuition payments and B) we are not independently wealthy, and C) we have two kids in college, we determined that we just don't have 4 figure repair bills in the budget right now.

After encouragement from Dogbomb and others, watching the videos on youtube, and pricing out the kits, I ordered 4 carb kits and bowls. I will dive in as soon as they arrive, after a suitable sacrificial offering to Neptune.

Guys: any suggestions on a suitable sacrificial offering????

Alright, John, go to it! I'm sure the carb gods will be smiling on your efforts.

I think beer is an appropriate offering...

What about tuning and synchronizing the carbs after they are rebuilt and reinstalled with the linkage? Any advice on this step?

Well, Sceptre77, I am sure that no one should ask my advice about carb work! Are you asking if I need any advice? Will gratefully accept any tips people have....

Find a friend with an ultrasonic cleaner.

This^

Get the brp kits w bowls.
Mine were 360 list but a friend got them at cost 1/2 price
V6.


Either u tube or the manual.
Scuff the area around the bb and cover w 2 part epoxy.
Not sure why they did that.

Start low speed at 5 turns out.

Lube the timing advance arm w graphite.
It should start to move when the carb pickup cam touches the roller.
The roller is 3/8 wide and has an o ring on top to secure it.
The roller is often missing.

You must have the boat in the water to set initial and final timing and idle speed rpm
or w a test prop in a tub.

Water is best.

Buy a factory manual.
Use the brp zip ties. Not clamps or other zip ties. You will see why.

Do not be ham handed with screws in plastic. Seat gently and 1/8th turn more.

Don't forget the plastic washer under the floats.
Many times these are missing.

Floats level and free.

Run rec 90 if at all possible.

The entire fuel system is rubber/plastic.

Some bump the #1 high speed jet up a step.

Use brp gasket sealer.

Thanks, one and all, for the tips. I ordered the kits and supplies, and will post results in a couple of weeks.

A while back I bought an ultrasonic cleaner from harbor freight. It was pretty cheap and works really well. I’m always surprised how much gunk it’ll shake out of a carb. I bought it because the dunk style carb cleaners are so hard on any plastic. With the ultrasonic it’s just distilled water and a little dish soap.

Good luck

A prayer for peace sounds in order.
But don't pray to Neptune. It's just a planet which is unlikely to support any life.

My carbs now Love Me!
 

Well, yesterday at 9am I took the first two carbs off the Johnson, and it went pretty well. I replaced them and the motor started right up - so I did the other two as well. By 4:30pm the carbs were back in place, and the motor was running once more. Idled on the muffs at about 800 rpms, which should settle down once I get it in the water for final adjustment.

Interestingly, the idle mixtures screws were all set at 6 3/4 turns - except the top starboard carb, which was set at 8 3/4 turns out. Yikes! Reset them all to 6 1/2 turns for now, then will do the final adjustment once we splash again. Best part - no more fuel leaks! Yay!

Thanks for the support and encouragement from all!

Awesome! I'm so glad it worked out well. Time to get back on the water!