Fuels

[yamaha150s]

What is the recommended fuel for a 1998 yamaha 130 2stroke..I am mixing oil myself...50-1

[robert graham]

Any regular 87 octane is fine...of course if you can find non-ethanol gasoline it might save you problems with the ethanol. Myself, I run the ethanol gas all the time without problems, but I do use Stabil and a fuel/water separator....

[yamaha150s]

So rec fuel is fine with stabil and fuel/water sep? I just bought the boat...should I drain gas tank then add rec fuel...and pull out carbs to soak? Boat has been sitting for a while.

[robert graham]

Depending on how old/deteriorated the fuel in your tank is....if it's old and degraded it would be best to drain the tank and fuel system, then start with fresh, stabilized gas...

[yamaha150s]

Is there a way to test the gas?...I don't have access to the tank unless I tear up the floor...it's a 2400 century open fish.

[yamaha150s]

And also I wanted to ask...is the fuel to oil ratio correct at 50-1

[robert graham]

Siphon tube some of the gas out into a clear glass container and look at it and smell of it....bad gas has a bad smell and may have a different color.....your 50:1 ratio is just right....how many years has that gas been in the tank?....any unstabilized fuel over a year old would be suspect....

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Re getting some fuel out of the tank, simply disconnect the primer bulb (engine side) and pump some fuel out into a container).

If there's moisture in the fuel, it'll also appear murky and water droplets will settle on the bottom of a container. You also want to check your in engine fuel filter(s).

As posted above, you can see and smell the difference between bad fuel and good fuel.

With a built in tank and if the fuel isn't too bad I found a product that helps stabilize the fuel and help remove water in the tank. Being my boat is 17 years old, I have the original 50 gallon tank it which did acumulate water (as described above) over time. The tank has never been removed, empieid, pickup cleaned, etc.

I started using Non-ethonol fuel and K-100 :
K100 Fuel Treatment

It doesn't eliminate the water but keeps it mixed with the fuel. As you run the engine, it burns off the water with the fuel. It took me some time but eventually, my fuel was super clean, smelled new and looked new (boat runs great). Its not cheap but a lot easier than pulling a 50 gallon tank. It does also clean the fuel system as well. Highly recommended.

I run it and Yamaha Ringfree regularly..

[yamaha150s]

Hmm...thanks for all the tips...I will keep you guys posted as I try to clean up this mess. I'm planning on running existing fuel thru a fuel/ water sep. Adding k100...changing spark plugs...pulling carbs and cleaning....reinstalling and hopefully she'll start right up.

[Bilge Rat]

The boat has been sitting.
Old fuel can not be fixed by any miracle in a can!!!
It has been sitting, Drain out the old fuel and any water/crud in the bottom of the tank. Old fuel can cause problems that cost big money.
Fuel is cheap compared to a blown powerhead.

Use fresh fuel and oil. New filters too.
That will eliminate fuel as a problem.
The boat has been sitting, you are going to have some issues getting it back to top performance.

Carbs and fuel hoses may be an issue also.

50 to1 is good.

[yamaha150s]

Sounds reasonable to me to start fresh. I will then....add new fuel...clean tank...add k100 etc....

[yamaha150s]

What do you guys think about pulling out the oil tanks off of my twin 130s and mixing fuel myself..

[99yam40]

It is best to do the maintenance and keep the oil tanks clean

[yamaha150s]

If I'm pulling them out...why do I need to keep them clean?

[99yam40]

no reason to pull them out ,just keep clean, drain, and test system like Yamaha recomends