OK, the wife says the old 1989 Champion 201 F/S has to go. It has a 1992 200 Merc EFI that was rebuilt in 1999 by a traveling Mercury mechanic. The interior is pretty much toast and the gel coat has seen better days. It has a Motor Guide 85 pound thrust 24 volt trolling motor and 2 Lowrance X85's.

Now the issue. Due to health issues it had sat for almost a year without being started or anything. Everything worked fine the last time I used it but that was almost a year ago. I know letting the thing sit was the worse thing I could have done to it but its too late to change that.

Anyhow, I've got a couple perspective buyers so I attempted to start it. It took awhile to get fuel up to it but I finally got pressure to the fuel bulb now it wont fire. Yes, the kill switch is up. I did pop the cowl and noticed the fuel had a strange smell, not the rotten egg smell, just different. No I did not drain the tank, will old fuel cause the motor not to fire? I did also notice that it has a slight fuel leak under the cowl on the drivers side of the boat. Could this cause an issue? I replaced the plugs with brand new ones. and tried again but still she would not fire.

Can someone please help me out? Also, if I sold it as it sits what do you think would be a fair asking price?

BTW, the health issues are over and once again I'm on the water every weekend. Now I do it in my 2008 Champion 210 Elite

As you know, you'll get more $ if it runs. I'd take the old gas out, put in some mid grade and a shot of Sea Foam and see what happens. You can also change the fuel filter for a few bucks....that may help.

I'm guessing its the old gas. If it's not, you'll have to find yourself a spark board to hook on it and go from there. If you've got good gas and assuming the fuel pump is good, it's almost gotta be a spark thing.

You definitely need to purge out that gas, especially if it was untreated.

Price.  As it sits with the engine unable to fire, toasted interior and gel coat and older electronics?

$2 - 2.5k maybe.

If you can get the engine running.  $3 - 4.5k maybe.  

Thanks guys. Do I need to siphon the gas out of the tank or is there another way? Also, how do I make sure all the gas is out and how would I properly dispose of the old gas? Any other tips and or tricks I should know?

Thanks again!

How much is in it?

An old trick is to disconnect the fuel line from the connector on the motor and lower it into a gas tank and start squeezing the bulb.  The fuel will eventually start flowing and you can just allow it to drain off into the tank.  

Disposal?  Here in missourah, we just dump it along the fence line to kill the poison ivy.  

How much is in it?[/qoute]

I believe its a 20 gallon tank and its about half full so I'm guessing about 10 gallons

An old trick is to disconnect the fuel line from the connector on the motor and lower it into a gas tank and start squeezing the bulb.  The fuel will eventually start flowing and you can just allow it to drain off into the tank.

Cool, that sounds better than "Sucking Hose" and getting a mouthfull of gas, OK guys, shut up, HA!

Disposal?  Here in missourah, we just dump it along the fence line to kill the poison ivy

Yeah, I live in this crazy state of California where I'd probably go to jail for something like that. Cant wait to move to AZ in 2 years.

So, what if I was to recarpet the boat, get the seats reupholstered and buff out the hull to make it shine, how much would be a fair asking price? Would it be worth my time and effort?

Thanks again!

How much is in it?[/qoute]

I believe its a 20 gallon tank and its about half full so I'm guessing about 10 gallons

An old trick is to disconnect the fuel line from the connector on the motor and lower it into a gas tank and start squeezing the bulb. The fuel will eventually start flowing and you can just allow it to drain off into the tank.

Cool, that sounds better than "Sucking Hose" and getting a mouthfull of gas, OK guys, shut up, HA!

Disposal? Here in missourah, we just dump it along the fence line to kill the poison ivy

Yeah, I live in this crazy state of California where I'd probably go to jail for something like that. Cant wait to move to AZ in 2 years.

So, what if I was to recarpet the boat, get the seats reupholstered and buff out the hull to make it shine, how much would be a fair asking price? Would it be worth my time and effort?

Thanks again!

Recarpet? Yes

Reupholster?  No

Not worth it. If those are typical tuck and rolled fancy pants seats typical of late 80's Champs it's way too much.  Better to get a couple quality seats from cabela's or BPS.  

All that and the motor running and you're closer to $5.5 - 6.5 or even 7 grand.

The more you make the thing ready for water, pretty (to catch the man AND Wifes eye) the more money you make.  

I will solve a beaver problem too . Just pour it whever you see the critters trying to dam up.

Just don't get caught. fines will be heavy.

I liked to burn fire ant mounds with the old gas when i could. Anyway, how much gas you got? If its just a little bit you can probably just use something like a 1 inch deep pan and poor a little in it at a time to let it evaporate. Just do it where the wind blows. Also, you may want to try the sewer clean out if you have one. If you do that run alot of water to get the fumes on down the way. You may also try dumping it early am in a storm drain or something along those lines. Or, run by a local mechanic shop and ask how they get rid of it. Expect to pay heavily whether you do so legally, or not. It won't be cheap in helifornia.

Here in Florida the dumps will take used gas and oil for free. Just put the gas in a container and head to the dump.