Yamaha Two-Stroke Fuel Filter Maintenance

[Troubadour52993]

OK, I've been running my Yamaha 15 hp on the dink for about six months now, and in the last week or so it's gotten a little more finicky, stalling occasionally at idle and running rough at low RPM, so I figure it is time for routine maintenance. I read through the manual, and am planning on changing spark plugs and cleaning the fuel filter element, a plastic mesh basket in a housing.

The manual says to clean the element in "solvent". I can't find anywhere what the proper solvent is - clean gasoline? All my gas onboard is mixed in the tank with oil, not sure if I should head to the dock for some fresh gas.

I figure acetone will melt the plastic. Other solvents I have onboard are mineral spirits and denatured alcohol.

Which do you think is best?

[Vasco]

Once you take the filter off you can see whether there's crud in it or not. Just wash it in your gas/oil mixture, not a problem. Your problem doesn't sound like the fuel filter. Carb might need cleaning, not a difficult job. Or it might be it just needs a good run at high speed.