Motor using too much gas

[fish24/7]

I have a 90 model 200hp johnson motor. The past few trips I have taken it has been drinking the gas. I have had the same boat for over 5 years and fish alot of the same lakes and know how much it generally uses when I travel to where I want to fish. I went today and used 25 gallons and did not run hardly anywhere. Any suggestions on what the problem may be?

[EtecRanger205]

What is the performance of the boat?? Has anything changed?? Does it seem sluggish or loss of power. If the boat is performing the same at the same RPM and speed, then you may have a leak. Look for a gas spill the next time you go to the lake. Pul the hood off and check if you can see any gas leaks or if it has been leaking. Really need more information..

[fish24/7]

I have checked for gas leaks and have not noticed any. The boat does not have the power it used to. It is on a 20ft Hydra Sport. With 2 people and all gear it used to run 55-57 mph. Now I am lucky to get over 47mph. The RPM's used to hit around 5700 now only 5200. I took it to an evinrude dealer last year and left it for a week. They tested the compression and ran the boat and said everything was fine. I know how my boat runs and it is not fine. I don't know why I have lost power and know I am burning over 2x's the gas that I used too. The gas issue has been going on for about 2 weeks.

[Don Smith]

This is going to sound stupid!

I have had 4 of them, all 225's. 3 of the 4 done Exactly the OPPOSITE! The flywheel bolts were breaking, and the timing was advancing. I didn't notice a change in gas, but I went from turning a 25 Renegade at 5500 to 6200.

To say the least, all finally popped, lol. Not sure if what I described is anywere close to what you mentioned, but I guess its possible that it could retard in timing if something like this happened.

Hot weather usually makes up for most power losses, especially for new boat owners. But sounds like you might not have that problem, since you have used it for several summers. Do you see any difference when starting? Sluggish, or hard to turn over? What about your tach? Stater and Rectifier are all under the flywheel.

Let us know what you find out!

Don

[MarkW]

I once owned a 200 GT Johnson and it was a 89-90. Something simliar happened to me. It ran incredibly rich and almost quit running. There is a fuel enrichment valve that provides the engine with more fuel when started cold. I was told it was very common for going bad. When it does, it dumps large amounts of fuel directly into the engine bypassing the carbs. Yours might not be as bad as mine was, but mine fouled the plugs and basically the engine almost didn't run. Plugs were dripping wet with gas.
Plus, an over-rich condition will almost always cuase a loss of performance, unless in a modified case where you can supply more air into the cylinders to make that perfect balance. But, in your case, you have more fuel and the same amount of air as always and in return you get lower RPMS and lower power.
Leaner conditions always run higher RPMS and make more power--in an outboard---until you get TOO LEAN---then it's KABOOM! Hope this helps.
Sure wish I could rembmer the exact name of that part. Dealer should know!

[fish24/7]

This motor has always been cold natured when starting. It takes a little while to get started. When I took it to the dealer he put on what was called a timer base. He said it was some electrical part that helped in the control of the ignition. It now starts better, but still takes a while sometimes to get running. I put new plugs in at the first of every year and always maintain everything well. I will check the flywheel and look at the bolts. I will probably take it to the dealer this week. I didn't know if anyone had had the same problem and it might be an easy fix I could work on. I will post what the dealer finds out if anything.

[CTFSHWHISKER]

my 96 was using a lot and it would smoke and be flooded even if you didn't choke it and some how the enrichener valve got turned to manual just enough to crack it open,that causes a direct flow of fuel all time to the cylender.usually you will notice a rough lazy idle after a few minutes of idling.
trim it up and see if any gas runs out of the carbs to see if you have a float sticking.

[fish24/7]

Is the fuel enrichment valve simple to change or do I need to take it to the dealer. This sounds like it may be the problem and if I can change it myself I would rather do that and save some money. Where is it exactly located at?

[CTFSHWHISKER]

easy,about 15 mins.it's the round thing with a red switch on it mounted up by the carb area.