88 Nautique with gas smell

[Nautique88]

I have a 88 nautique 2001 and i noticed the other day when i was out it smelt like gas pretty bad, it has never dont that the exhaust also has some gas smell in it. There is a little puddle of gas right below the carb also, Doe anyone know what this could be? thanks

[east tx skier]

Since you mentioned the puddle, check the fuel line where it mates to the carb. These can leak pretty easily if not set to proper torque specs. Had this issue last summer.

[surroundsound64]

Definitely check all the fittings and the bolts that bolt the carb to the intake manifold.

Be sure to run that blower to or you could have a fire works show!!!

If everything is tight you might try some teflon tape around the threads on the fuel line.

[Nautique88]

ok cool thanks what about the exhaust having a gas smell and white smoke

[surroundsound64]

White smoke is normal... it's just steam coming from the hot water out of the exhaust with the cool lake water. The gas smell on the other hand... it may be running rich. The metering block on your carburetor may need to be adjusted. That depends on your elevation. +/- 700' above sea level is something like 2 turns of the screws out from seated on the metering block.

[boatech]

check line to carb fitting for sure also check the bottom of the carb there is a little square piece held on by four small screws it has a gasket under it and they leak all the time as well. get it fixed and DO NOT USE BOAT UNTIL YOU ARE SURE ITS FIXED it will cause a fire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[east tx skier]

For what it's worth, I'm not so sure about using teflon tape on fuel line fittings. I'm admintedly no mechanic though.

http://www.holley.com/data/Products/...l/199R9827.pdf

[rbalan]

I agree with boatech. If you do have a leak with that gasket under the carb, make sure you replace it with a Marine rebuild kit. A regular automotive gasket will not hold up. You will probably have to buy the whole kit even if you only need the one part.

[Nautique88]

Ya it is leaking under the carb where that gasket is so i guess i need to go out and get a new one.

[surroundsound64]

Doug,
Good find! However, the same thing can happen with the teflon sealent, and most carburetor overhaul manuals warn against it... at least in the aviation industry. They say do not get any sealent past the threads because it can clog the passages too. I would think that the sealent would have a better chance of getting into the carb... maybe not!

I've use an automotive gasket in my carb for years and had no trouble. Just make sure the carb stays tight!

With that being said... I'm off to my 2:35 carburetors class!!!

[east tx skier]

Larry, that caught my eye as well. When Shannon took a torque wrench to my fuel line last season to fix my leak, I recall a discussion either with him or Carl about not using any sort of sealant on the fuel line fitting whatsoever. Remembering that is what caused me to dig that article up. Like I said, I'm well out of my element and don't mess with my fuel system outside of annual filter changes.

P.S. This weather is killing me today.

[Rick]

The Gas might also come from a stuck float. The white smoke and gas smell could be a rich condition caused by to much gas going to the engine After you replace the gasket make sure you run carb cleaner through the carb and also in the gas.

[surroundsound64]

P.S. This weather is killing me today.

'

Dude... no kidding!!!!!!!!!!!

...supid classes... hehe.

[iceman991]

88 gas smell

regarding east_tx_rider..............isnt this planetnautique or has it changed to planetmastercraft...................

[jasper]

Iceman, dude, east tx skier is cool even though he may have missed the boat on the brand of boat. He contributes positively and respectfully to this forum on a consistent basis. I'd take a pull from him any day just based on what I've read of his contributions. Of course, I would have to insist he take a pull behind a Nautique aftwards.

jasper