fuel tank queston

[scarab22]

Has any body had any problems with their fuel tank in the 26ss? Just got home with my 01 26 and have a problem getting fuel to my starboard motor. I have replaced the fuel linr from the tank to the motor,and the motor can't stay running.I switch to the other motor's fuel line and the motor runs fine. I also pulled the check valve barb fitting and replaces it with a straight thru one. I blew the line back into the tank with air thinking maybe there was some trash on the pick up but that didn't help either. I'm wondering if maybe the pick up line in the tank may have fallen off or corroded. It looks like to get the tank out if that is the problem, you would have to cut the floor out and that would be a huge undertaking. We ran the boat over the weekend when I was checking it out to buy and it ran fine but now that I'm home with it , it is acting up. This has really got me frustrated so any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[a7ewizard]

Congrats on the new boat! I am sure this will get figured out

A couple of thoughts: 1) if you switched the good port fuel line with port engine over to the starboard pick-up, you would quickly learn if that is the problem.
2) assuming the port engine keeps running, then the problem is definately somewhere in the starboard line between the starboard (now, tested good) pick-up and the engine intake fitting. Do you have fuel filters (either canister or smaller in-line) that may be plugged? Is the pump bulb working or showing cracks (either not priming the line or sucking air into the line)?

As I recall on my 24SS, both fuel tank pick-ups come off the same assembly. I have a single but recall seeing the capped off side. Isn't there a deck access cap to this? Assuming the worst, that the pick-up has failed, isn't this assembly easily removed via attachment screws and a gasket? If there isn't an access panel currently, a small cut to access the pick-up and then repair with a panel to fit the cut. I don't see where removal of the entire tank is called for at this point. Before I made any cuts (if needed), I would "T" into the good line and see if both motors would run at WOT from a single pick-up.

Warren

[scarab22]

Thanks for the reply Warren. I have replaced the line from the tank with new line , primer bulb and filter all the way to the motor.When I switch to the other line from the other pickup it runs fine, that's why I am afraid it is in the tank. I did wonder if you could tee off the other line and feed enough fuel to feed both motors. I just can't imagine a fuel pick up falling off insde the tank. There is no access that I can see other than the little inspection lid to get to where the lines tie on to the tank............Gary

[a7ewizard]

Just wondering if this issue reared its head on its own.......or, after you had done some maintenance??

I would also see if the port engine runs from the starboard pick-up. It seems too coincidental that she ran fine at your buyer's trial and now there is a problem. My friend did have the pick-up tube fall off inside the tank to his Whaler...so that is a possibility. He told me the brazed weld failed.

Recently, I had a fuel supply issue with my 24SS. The boat is in Baja and had been subjected to the heat for 6-8 weeks without being started. I tried to pump the bulb but it wouldn't firm up. We changed the bulb but that didn't work. Finally, we stuck the suction end of a portable oil changer into the fuel line. This was strong enough to pull fuel thru the canister filter/plumbing to make things work. Just an idea.

Warren

[seabob4]

Guys,
First, by removing the access plate (or "pie") over the pickups, one should be able to disconnect the lines, unscrew the pickups, and inspect them.  No, it's not easy, but doable.  I would pull the starboard pickup and see what's going on there.

Since both pickups live in the same tank, it would be surprising to me that one would clog up with crap, presumably ingested from the bottom of the tank in a low fuel situation, while the other stayed happy as a pig in sh!t.

Pull the bad pickup and see what you find...

[scarab22]

Well, we finally solved the problem. There was a piece of grey fuel hose that ran from the motor out to a splice under the transome and it was completely plugged. I've been told that the ethanol eats that type of hose up, so i have replaced all the lines on both motors from the tank to the motors with new black rubber fuel hose. Also replaced filters on the engines as well as the inline water fuel separators. Went out yeterday and boat will really run now. Before  motors would only turn 5300, now they will spin 6100. She really jumps out of the water now. Still have a few minor issues with the boat but i feel better about things now. Thanks again for ya'lls help............Gary in Seabrook Texas

[Hugh]

Yay!  Victory!

I will drink a beer this evening to celebrate your success

On fuel filters, I have read a few things about them.  These may be BS, but they sound good

1. Make sure your priming bulb is before the canister filter so you can drive fuel into the filter instead of sucking it out of the filter.

2. There is a vent on the top of many styles of filter bodies.  If the situation warrants it, loosen up this vent and make sure the priming bulb is pushing the air out and the fuel in.

3. Prime a new fuel filter with fuel before installing it or you will be cranking a long time.

Stabil makes a new fuel stabilizer that is blue-green in color and has "marine" in the name.  It supposedly reduces the ethanol/water problem.  I am going to use this stuff in my tank, and make sure it gets thru the entire system before I winterize.

I just purchased a Racor 60gph fuel filter/water sep for my 200 Yammi.  Yes, it is oversized at 20gph WOT.  I'll let you know if any of the preceding stuff I regurgitated second hand makes any sense.

Also, Racor now makes a filter body with a priming pump on it.  I think the extra cost isn't worthwhile, as a good priming bulb should serve the same purpose.

5300 to 6100 isn't chump change...that is HUGE!  

[a7ewizard]

1. Make sure your priming bulb is before the canister filter so you can drive fuel into the filter instead of sucking it out of the filter.

 HUGE!  

This may be VERY GOOD advice concerning the experience I described above.

Scarab22....good to hear it was a minor problem!

Warren

[seabob4]

Alright guys,
We install Hondas, Suzukis, Etecs, and Optis (Verados have their own fuel/water separators on the powerhead), all installs have been verified by the appropriate field engineer of each company, and ALL have no problem with the separator being installed before the primer bulb.  Never even a mention of such installation.  Dennis Avery at Honda, John Litjens at Merc, Jon Ponedel at Suzuki, and Kim Cagle at BRP.

The only time I dealt with what you are suggesting was with Yamaha and Vito Paulizzio, back when I was with Stamas.  He was very insistant on it, and required us to also orient the bulbs in a vertical position.

So, based on your observations, and what I had to say about the current installs, is someone full of doodoocaca?

Bob C

[Hugh]

Doodoocaca?  Is that a new Brazilian outboard?

Like I said scrolled up a ways..."These may be BS, but they sound good".

Is there a hydraulic, rather than location, reason for installing it D/S of the filter?  Personally, I like the bulb near the engine, so if I don't think it's priming, I can take the line off the engine, press down on the check ball in the fuel line, and purge. 

Here's the thread I was reading when researching the Racor filter.  A lot of rambling...take it with a pound of salt

http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/010047.html

Here's a primer on primers-which states the usual location is D/S of the filter:

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/primer.html

[231CALIFORNIA]

This should settle it, put one on each side .

They suck and they blow, you can have it both ways,  but now you have twice as many places for primer bulb problems.

just meddling

[seabob4]

Guys,
I think there will always be a debate on this subject.  Before the separator, after the separator.  The key is to keep the fuel system, and the fuel, in good shape, especially in the world of ethanol.  Use Sta-bil, Startron, and inspect your fuel lines on a regular basis.  And if you can find a station/marina that has ethanol-free fuel, well...

Bob C

[Hugh]

Bob,

Do you recommend the Stabil, the Startron or both for gasoline engines?

[seabob4]

Hugh,
We use Sta-Bil.  But you can find VOLUMES written on THT on the benefits of both...or the negatives.

The real key, as you seem to be doing, is to use your boat, and therefore, use your gas!

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