North Carolina Fishing Reports

ncsouthpaw · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 9:48 pm Post subject: Fuel line problems

Last time I was out, which was also the first time in the water this year. I had just been running around for bout an hour, running low rpms and not running it hard. Everything was running good so I decided to push the handle down and it ran good for a couple of minutes, then it just died. After trying to restart and some checking I realized the primer bulb was sucked flat. I checked the line all the way back to the tank and it is clear, but nothing coming out of tank. Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks
Ronnie

lunkerlure · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 9:50 pm Post subject:

Vent is probably stopped up by dirt dobbers or not open if you have the small gas tanks.
_________________
Tommy Stewart
23 Sea Fox
REEL BROKE

ncsouthpaw · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 10:21 pm Post subject:

It is an under floor tank, and when I filled the tank I did notice fuel leaking from vent so I figured it was ok. Wondering how the fuel pickup inside the tank was made or if it had a filter inside the tank?

Ronnie

lunkerlure · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 10:44 pm Post subject:

No filter inside the tank but I'm not exactly sure how the pickup is made. Take the cap off your tank and see if you hear any air sucking.
_________________
Tommy Stewart
23 Sea Fox
REEL BROKE

Leviathan · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 11:07 pm Post subject:

sometimes the tanks have a spring loaded check ball to keep fuel from exiting the tank in case of an accident. I removed mine on my Grady 25 due to the same prob. Take the fitting out and drive the ball out with a punch. If it corrects the issue replace with new assembly.

scottfl78 · Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 4:17 am Post subject:

I concur.. Maybe your anti siphon valve got gummed up from the old gas. Maybe take a wooden dowel rod stck it down in your tank. Don't want to make any sparks.. hehe

I found this Boating Mag article on the Internet:

Collapsed Ball

Q When I’m running my Evinrude 150-hp outboard at about 3800 rpm, my fuel-feed bulb collapses until the engine stops. I have polished the fuel tank, installed a Racor fuel filter, installed a new fuel line and squeeze bulb, cleaned out the carbs, and more. I can cruise around the harbor all day at 1500 rpm. But when I run it up to 3500 to 4000, the fuel supply runs out after about 15 minutes. What gives?

Scott Rialson, Newport Beach, CA

A Running last year’s fuel in your boat at the start of the season? Fill the tank and empty the separator to inhibit condensation from contaminating your engine. The culprit is either the anti-siphon valve in the fuel tank or the hose between the bulb and the fuel tank. If you’ve been using E10 fuel, the ethanol could be eating at the rubber, causing it to flake and clog the hose. Also check that your fuel tank’s vent hose isn’t clogged.
_________________
Scott Selkey
GySgt USMC
"Semper FIsh" Sea Fox 257 w/twin 140 Suzuki's
Old Ferry Marina, Sneads Ferry, NC

ncsouthpaw · Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 10:16 pm Post subject:

Well guys it seems that I need to check the vent tube a little closer, I have already checked the anti siphon valve which appears to be clear and working it and all fuel lines were replaced last year. I can suck air thru the line all the way to the tank using the primer bulb. I have pushed a peace of wire down into the tank thru the pickup tube, didn't appear to hit anything. So the vent tube is next. Thanks any other ideas, I let yall know what I find. Thanks

Ronnie

seahappy · 1st Mate Joined: Nov 01, 2007 Posts: 58

When the Bulb is depressed and not getting fuel, simply open the fill cap, if you then get fuel, its a vent problem.......

Capt_Tom · Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 2:19 am Post subject:

I bought a Henry-O back in '93 that has given me fuel problems for years. The fourth time I put the boat in the water, it shut down on me in the Chesapeak Bay. Fuel bulb collapsed. I messed with it for a few minutes while drifting in the shipping channel... then I opened the fill cap... in case the vent was clogged... no change. I took the line off of the tank side of the bulb, and blew as hard as I could back towards the tank. My cheeks hurt and suddenly there was a whooshing noise. I hooked the bulb back up and pumped it full. I cranked the motor and it ran fine... for 6 months.. then same problem. I took the same action. I later examined the tank (with a remote camera) I found that the tank is full of fiberglass bits from construction. Evidently it was open while they were working on the boat or a boat nearby. I once also found the hose connector (at the engine) full of fiberglass that passed through in pieces and made a nest at the end of the line. I have drained the tank 3 times, but I cannot get it all out. My tank is buried under the decking, front console, and front storage. If I was not so lazy, I would rip it out and clear the problem. I try to put up with it, and for emergencies, I carry a portable 6 gallon tank (to get me out of harms way until I can blow through the line. Pain in the A$$, but I know the source, and cure.
_________________
Captain Tom Beckham
Southern Exposure Sportfishing Charters
Murrells Inlet, SC

M-8 · Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 11:32 pm Post subject:

I had this problem too. It turned out to be the fuel selector was not centering like it should when changeing from main to aux tank or aux to main.

divnnc · Ol'Salt Joined: Jan 26, 2005 Posts: 290

I had the same problem last year on my 40hp after I noticed a crack in the old bulb. I put the new bulb on and could run all day at low RPM but at WOT it would suck the bulb flat in about a minute. Problem was that the bulb had to hang vertical. If the bulb was "laying" down, she would suck closed.

Could be a real easy fix if it is your problem.

Matt

ncsouthpaw · Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 11:17 am Post subject:

Well I found my problem, and I appreciate everyones help, I tried the vent problem by taking the fuel cap off, didn't work. So as I am know for thinking ,if it's broke I can't hurt it anymore. I started to figure out how to get the fuel pickup tube out of the tank, after access to the top of the tank was made, it was pretty simple the 90 degree fitting on top screws out and the tube comes with it. And there I found the culprit, the tube was clogged with a pieace of rubber gasket stuff that I had used to try stop fuel from seeping around the gauge sending unit. I thought it was supose to be gas and oil resistant. I guess not, just hope that is the only pieace that feel off on the inside. Thanks for all the help guy's.

Tight Lines
Ronnie


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