I have a 6 horse Evinrude that a buddy gave me. I can get it started every time with new gas in a 5 gallon bucket in my garage but when I take it out on the lake I cant get it started.

 Does the gas go bad that quick? can I shake it up and make it good? Is there an addative I can use?

It's getting a bit embarassing. I invite friends out and can get the{1}****er started.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Are u using ethanol gas? If so get some ethanol gas treatment and try that. Ethanol cloges up carburetors sometimes

check this link, hope it helps...

http://www.doityourself.com/forum/m...veway.html

straight gas 2 cycle with a 50 to 1 mix

Gas does not go bad that fast. I don't know what to tell you. However, always use Sta-Bil Marine fuel stabilizer in your gas. It guarantees stabilizing your fuel for 6 months. I've been using it for 5 years and  my motor always starts the instant I turn the key.

Could be your flooding the carbs and spark plugs. How are you transporting the engine from your home to the lake? Get a new set of plugs and starting fluid. When you get to the lake, put in the new plugs and give it a shot of starting fluid in the carbs..see what happens..it should start right up. And gas, wether you add stabilizer or not, won't go bad for months. Hope this helps..

Could be your flooding the carbs and spark plugs. How are you transporting the engine from your home to the lake? Get a new set of plugs and starting fluid. When you get to the lake, put in the new plugs and give it a shot of starting fluid in the carbs..see what happens..it should start right up. And gas, wether you add stabilizer or not, won't go bad for months. Hope this helps..

Does your motor have a separate fuel tank? If so, it may be that fuel is not getting to the motor when you try it on the boat. There is probably a squeeze bulb in the fuel line between the tank and motor that should remain firm when starting or running the motor. Another problem might be bad gas in the tank, possibly contaminated with water. I don't recommend starting fluid due to the possibility of engine damage. A flammable carburetor cleaner like Gummout would be a better (and safer) choice.

Sounds like your engine is small enough where you are transporting it to and from the lake. Are you laying it down, say in your truck? If so, you might be flooding the carb and plugs by laying it down on its side or something..how about your gas tank on the boat? Is it a permanent tank or portable? Might be water in the tank or gum in the lines..make sure your getting fuel to engine..then put new plugs, try starting it. If nothing, give it a shot or two with starting fluid (a shot or two won't hurt the engine), try starting it. If nothing then i'd pump out the fuel in the tank (could be water in the tank) and put a higher octane fuel. Remember outboard engines weren't designed to handle the gas we have today. Especially older outboards.. once you get it running properly, then put the additives such as Stabil..marine formula.(no sense in buying it if you can get it started) Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

If all else fails you could trick the motor by taking that 5 gallon bucket along to the lake.

Tswirtz: When you transport your motor off your boat always lay the motor with tiller handle up, if it is a 4 stroke this will keep the oil where  it's suposed to be, and the carb from being flooded. If it's a 2 stroke lay it down tiller handle up and gas tank empty. Then put motor on boat if it's a four stroke let motor sit upright for a couple minutes,this will let all the fluides return to normal position then start. On 2 stroke motors fill tank then start, be sure your using regular unleaded gas and use some stabil. This will keep your motor's fuel system clean, I started using Stabil last summer worked wonders for my 4 stroke 8 horse Honda, hope this helps you out.                      MCOPELAND1      

Another suggestion: Before transporting your motor, run it out of gas before laying it down. This will reduce the possibility of flooding to near 0.