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I put Yamaha stablizer in our Monark bass boat that has a Yamaha 4 stroke motor on it in the fall of 2007. It was not used in 2008. I drained the gas tank as much as possible and had the carbs cleaned. And the motor started up and ran just fine with a new tank of gas. I went ahead and added Mercury stabilizer to the gas as recommended on the bottle. Now the motor turns on but won't run (like it's not getting gas). I took it into a shop and they said the carbs were dirty again. They blamed it on the Mercury stabilizer saying it must have broken down something inside the gas tank or ate at the liner of the fibreglass gas tank and that you should NOT put stabilizer in the gas unless you are storing it. Note: The boat has an 18 gallon gas tank in it and I was able to get 17 gallons of the old gas out of it. Please advise. Thanks, Dave

Submitted: 158 days and 7 hours ago.

Category: Boat

Value: $23

Status: CLOSED

Posted by Dr. Joe 158 days and 7 hours ago.

Answer

Hi Dave. This is a very common problem these days.Yes, they are right. You don't use stabilizer unless your storing a boat. A lot of people think that by doing so, using it all season long, it is going to help them. It is the opposite. This is not really a conditioner or a cleaner. The problem your having is one of two things. Most likely, that last gallon of fuel left in there is where all the water and sludge is! Yes, it all sinks to the bottom. You may need to run with extra filters or pump that "stuff" out ! The second is he is right. too much of a good thing.... will eat away at tanks, lines and gaskets. It is made to stabilize the fuel in the tank. when constantly using it, it will remove old scum and such from sides of the tank and lines. Hope this helps, Joe

158 days and 7 hours ago.

Reply

Dr. Joe,

I could only pump 17 gallons out and am estimating that there was another one gallon in there which I couldn't get out. In the future, if this should happen again, how is it possible to get all of the gas out? Do I have to pull the tank out of the boat? I looked and it doesn't look possible without literally tearing the boat apart. Is there a cleaner or something that I can put in the gas that will help? When you say run with extra filters I'm not sure what you mean. Use more then one filter at the same time? If so, how do you connect them??? Dave

Accepted Answer

Your best bet would be to stir the stuff up , mixed with gas, and keep pumping it out. Yes, you can use over the counter cleaner. STP, Gum Out are all good products.No, pulling the tank out you WOULD have to rip the boat apart! Bring filters along, the type you boat takes, and replace often, until you have no more dirt. Do you have a water separator on the boat? If not, you should install one! Joe

Accepts:
Expert:	Dr. Joe
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Answered:	6/16/2009

Marine Mechanic

over 30 years tec.

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