When i bought my last boat the seller hadnt used it for 12 mths.
The boat only had 87 hrs on it from new and hardly a scratch on her.
so was a really good buy in my eyes.
The day i went over to see it running was an eye opener so say the least.
The owner put the muffs on and proceeded to start the near new 115 merc.
It was trying to start and kicking and pooping and blowing heaps of smoke.
Just couldnt get it going.
I was starting to worry the fire brigade might be called from neighbours as the smoke was unbelievable.
He tried n tried for near on an hour.
the fuel was old and i suspect had lost its punch so to speak.
He did eventually get it running but in doing that smoked his own house out.
It a wonder his wife didnt come out screeming at him.
It ran for 10 mins bellowing out 2 stroke oil smoke like a steam train.
And eventually calmed down to near no smoke at all.
At least it was being really oiled on startup. Lol.
Anyway after the smoke ordeal sorted its self out i was watching how the motor ran.
It was running but didnt seem to have good responce.
Being a motor mechanic and a pretty clued up boat owner for the past 40 years id put it down to stale fuel, probebly old plugs and blocked fuel filter.
Anyway to cut a long story short i bought the boat.
$16.500 i was happy with the price and knew id have it sorted out within a few days witch i did.
Changed the plugs, drained the old fuel n replaced with new 98 from a reputa b le servo, and changed the fuel filter.
Started her up and she ran like a dream after a few mins.
Lightning responce, no excess smoke,
Very happy with it.
Moral to my story is =
I never use old fuel.
Drain it out n put on bull ants nests.
Ive seen stale fuel in all aplications cause greif.
From mowers, whippersnippers, cars, boats.
You name it.
And iver the years ive seen people change plugs, coils, wiring,
And all it was= was old stale fuel.
As they say=
You cant start a fire with wet matches.
So any fuel over 4 months old i replace.
I dont even buy new fuel to mix with the old to save money.
In the long run its not worth the waste of time etc.
Recently i took my big boat out for a fish.
The fuel was 12 mths old.near a Full tank 160ltrs
Out with the old and in with the new.
She didnt miss a beat n went well.
Happy fishing.
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