my little friend

[fastfish]

I went fishing and at some point noticed a small brown lizard on the boat seat. Now..this is nothing unusual. I've often had hitchhikers and they often jump ship or remain till I get home hidden in some out of the way place in the boat. So when he disappeared I just figured he was under a seat or something. My daughter is deathly afraid of the things so my first thought when I saw him was that I was glad she wasn't with me! Anyway, I head back to the dock that day and halfway back the engine loses power...just limping along. I was low on gas and had never run it all the way down so figured that was the problem. Went home,put the boat away for a couple of days..then took it out again today. Filled the tank at the bait place and bought some minnows and a drink for later like normal. When I start the boat it still is lagging and occasionally tries to go faster. Ok...it must have picked up some trash from the bottom of the tank..it might work itself out. I catch 11 or 12 fish..water gets a little rough and I head into the dock. Engine never gets to wot. So once ashore I take off the cover and check the carb. There is a piece of something that looks like seaweed hanging from it..or maybe a small twig but how would that get in there??. I get my needle nose pliers and pull at it. A two inch piece comes off and it still has a slight brown color to it ...You guessed it..my little friend had snuck into the carb!! I guess he was in there when I opened up throttle and it bent the lizard in two blocking the throttle plate. I had to take the carb off to get the rest of him out now the engine runs great again. You just never know what's ahead of you !!

[bearclaw]

Nice story. You would think the gas smell would have kept him away from the carburetor. He mighta been close and got sucked in would be my guess also.