"skinny32" wrote in message
lkaboutboats.com...

YOU DON'T HAVE TO REBUILD THE CARB!!! Just open it up
carefully. clean out the the area where your float is located. try not to
damage the gasket.
Make sure the float will move up and down very easly.
However, if it does not, then you will need to install a carburater kit.


The condition commonly referred to as a "stuck float" is rarely caused by
the float actually sticking. It is usually caused by the valve that the
float operates either sticking, getting worn to the point it won't seal, or
having something jam in it, keeping it open.

I have seen cases where the float was damaged and didn't float anymore, but
that is pretty rare.

I would recommend getting a rebuild kit that included a new float valve and
seat and a complete set of gaskets. If you don't feel up to rebuilding it
yourself you might be better off to take the carburetor to a place that
specializes in rebuilding carburetors and let them do it.

Rod

Floats can hang up if they are bent out of shape.

I have an older 4GC rochestor setup. The float alignment in these carbs is
critical and everything looked fine when the top was off. But put it back in
and it would slowly flood. The problem was the float would rise up and
slightly hit the backside of the float bowl preventing the needle valve from
seating fully. I only discovered this after I installed an electric fuel
pump setup. So much fuel drained into the cylinder it locked and would not
even crank over. I have to assume the engine was wasting a lot of expensive
gas.

"Sonny H" wrote in message
...
Greetings,

I was on the lake yesterday in my '93, 18ft Thompson 4.3L Mercruiser,
with carburetor and electric fuel pump.

The engine literally locked up when coming to a 'slow down' with the
boat. I tried to restart it and it acted like a low battery. The first
thing I thought of is: "ok we're overheated" but the temperature was way
under 150.

The engine had a pretty big jerk from the starter trying so hard. so I
knew it wasn't a low battery or bad starter. Sometimes I would get it
started and all of a sudden a lock up.
I had to be towed back to the boat ramp. This engine did not overheat. I
felt the manifolds and they wasn't barely even warm.

When I got home - I hooked up the ear muffs and it started right up. Ran
normal. It had me scratching my head.

I checked the oil and noticed it was about 2 quarts over the full mark.
It was not milky. So no water getting in the oil. I drained the oil and
it smelled like gas. I'm guessing gas is getting into the oil from the
Carb. So the engine lock up was from the crankcase being totally full of
oil (and gas in this case.)

Now my questions a Do I just need a Carb rebuild kit, or new Carb? Is
there anything else that can cause this? Has anyone ever had this
problem?
Thanks for any comments/opinions.
Sonny