motor issues, carbs dirty maybe?

[Bushwacker]

A lot of the 6 gallon tanks were set up for smaller motors (like V-4's) with 5/16 dia. fuel lines. Wouldn't use one of those for a V-6. I think you'd be better off with a jerry jug.

If it acts up again, try pumping the bulb. It's behavior will give you some good clues. If it stays flat after squeezing, there is a restriction up stream, between bulb and fuel supply. If you can't pump it much before it gets hard and motor doesn't pick up speed, there's a restriction between the bulb and carbs. If doesn't get real hard and motor picks up speed, you may have a weak fuel pump or a blockage that pump suction can't overcome but pressure will at least partially overcome. Be careful not to run long in lean condition because lean combustion produces very high temperatures that can either burn a piston, cause it to expand so much that it can score the cylinder or even seize up!

[76Red18]

That motor has that interrupt switch. Unplug it and run the motor. Don't shift more than necessary and when you do have to shift, throw it in gear as fast as possible..

[2182]

interrupt switch? what is that? got 6 gal jerry jug w/ 3/8 fuel line assembly filled w fresh ethanol free gas. trying to get work done to see whats what out on the water...

[2182]

bushwhacker, was pumping bulb before, it acts the same way as always. doesnt stay fully compressed (lines clean from bulb to carbs). doesnt get too hard either though, but it never has. i am convinced its something in the motor itself, although i am still going to try running fresh clean gas first.

[2182]

just got back from water test. idled around to purge any old gas, then got up on plane for a few miles, nothing wrong, no beeping, no warning lights, no godawful bucking. i wound up burning about 4 gallons of fresh ethanol gas w/ no issues at all. im going to try and get it pumped tomorrow. may not be the only issue, but its a good start. i dont think i have more than 20 gallons in the tank. thanks for all the good info guys, ill keep you posted.

[eggsuckindog]

The bulb is only to prime the system, after that its just a fuel line item, means nothing unless its being sucked flat. Once started and warmed up the motor should run with a fuel line stuck in the lawnmower can - just say'in

[2182]

pumped out bad fuel today using an $8 hand pump from walmart. it would have been great if it were 2-3 gallons. 20, not so cool. saved all gas to see if there will be water separation. disassembled the entire fuel line assembly from the pickup to motor, blew it out w/ air, checked it for suction, everything good. new gas goes in, and we shall see. we have 37 public boat landings in the tricounty charleston area, and i swear 75% of boats use two of them, one of which is 2 miles from my house; or id go test it right now.

[McGillicuddy]

Any chunks of anything turn up in your extraction bucket? Anything in your fuel water separator?

What did you put the old gas in and what will you do with it?

[2182]

no chunks, havent checked for separation yet. fuel is sitting in one of those grey storage bins, unsure of how to get rid of. any suggestions? my buddy has a landscape company, im trying to pawn in off on him. to be honest, the fuel doesnt look too bad.