Fuel leaking from powerhead – foolish to run?

[shoestringmariner]

I have a 10 hp Johnson that seems to be leaking fuel from or around the power head somewhere. I’ve not located the source yet, but also I’m a little reluctant to pull it apart yet should it happen to be involved as I’m wondering if I can run it until fishing season is over as I’m selling my other motor off.

I assume it is a totally foolish thing to do? I’m worried about it catching fire.

[hotrod]

A fuel leak is no joke. I have seen a leaking motor burst into flames at one of our meets. The flames were maybe 4 feet high. Its another reason not to run a motor indoors.

[dan-in-tn]

If it’s raw fuel I’m with HotRod! If it’s crankcase residue (left over unburnt fuel) then not so bad. That stuff is not so volatile. A raw fuel leak you should be able to find? Otherwise I don’t think I would run it to be on the safe side.

Dan in TN

[1946zephyr]

Sounds like your float needs replacing. Loosing buoyancy and allowing the motor to flood out.

[george-emmanuel]

You didn’t indicate if it was coming from the carb or somewhere else. Depending on the year of your motor, there is a line on the side of the motor running from the lower bearing to the top main. The old rubber ones can crack and even completely sever thereby pumping oil into the powerhead area. Check it because if it is broken, eventually you could have bearing damage.

George

[1946zephyr]

If its a motor with a fuel pump, then you have a hole in the diaphram. Remove the fuel pump and squeeze the primer bulb and fuel will spray out on the mounting side

[shoestringmariner]

Thanks guys. It’s a QD 19. It appears to be coming from the crank case seam or perhaps up from the base gasket? Intake side looks dry. There was some fuel/oil residue on the webbing of the cyl head. Another member told me to use printer paper to seek it out which I’m a bout to try. I guess I just wanted to see if it was a dumb thing to ignore for right now, and sounds like it is

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[fisherman6]

Shoestring, that looks like a pretty dark and oil rich solution. That certainly could be coming from the tube that connects the upper bearing to the lower bearing. Definitely check that only as George suggested. It certainly could have sat for a while in the spot and much of the gasoline evaporated but if it comes out looking like that I’d say there’s much more oil in that than the initial 16:1 mix.
-Ben

OldJohnnyRude on YouTube

[chris-p]

Are you coming into Hamilton any time soon? Bring it on over and we will figure it out so you can get back out fishing asap.

[shoestringmariner]

Thanks Chris, I have to make a run to Milton tomorrow which is part way there, or I’m available Friday afternoon. Maybe Saturday
I’d sure be grateful!

[Author]

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