Merc 9.8 kicker leaks gas

I have an older Merc 9.8 kicker . When I bring the motor up to run down the river it leaks gas . Runs good when in use and starts good but just leaks gas in the up position . Do you think it the carb like maybe the float ? Thanks

Sounds to me it might be a fuelline between the fuelpump and the carb. When its run at higher rpm’s theres more pressure coming from the pump. Check the fuelhose by taking the cover off the top of the motor and wiping it off. Then i’d run the motor at an rpm that would make it leak. Watch for any gas coming from any where from the fuelpump to the carb. Instead of running it on the river and having to steer too i’d leave it on the trailer and run it the water at the boatramp. You might be able to find the leak then. Usually if the float level is off or the needle valve is bad it won’t drip at a higher rpm. It might be carb related but im leaning twards the fuelhose or the fuel pump itself more than the carb. Also if theres a fuel filter thats attached to the carb that has a houseing over it theres a gasket that goes between that houseing and the carburater, that gasket may be bad or the housing needs to be tightened down, you’ll see a small screw or bolt that holds that housing on, tighten it down. Run it in the water with the cover off and check all the fitings and watch for any gas that appears from where the fueline connects to the motor all the way to the carb, you should be able to find the leak.

It sounds to me that you are saying it leaks when the motor is in the up position and NOT running…. do I understand correctly that when you motor down river with your bigger motor it’s your kicker motor that leaks gas while in the up position?

So does mine. All I do is make sure the vent on my kicker motor gas tank is open to relieve the air pressure inside the gas tank. That way the gas is not forced out of the carbs to drip inside my boat. This stops some if not all of the leaking in my older 4.5 hp Merc kicker while it is in the up (non running) position. You can also unhook the gas line when not in use….

Now i feel like a fool lol, thats river talk for i have a kicker plus my motor that i run up and down the river with. If thats the case just disconnect the fuel line then it won’t come out the vent hole in the carb.

Thanks guys . I think the tank maybe my problem. the tank I use doesn’t have a vent on it . Thanks again .