Thread: Fuel Problems??
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Old 10-13-2009, 12:13 AM
Bushwacker Bushwacker is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: N. Palm Beach, Fl.
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Default Re: Fuel Problems??

Quote:
. . . We notice that when we pump the fuel primer ball that it works better, but then the ball becomes flat and we cant pump it any longer. We then took the cover off the fuel tank area and blew out the vent. Then we thought that there may be a clog in the line in the tank, but when we took the 90 degree thingie off, we expected to see a hose, but found a metal tube which went from the top of the opening to the bottom of the tank. We could not figure out how to get the metal tube out and we were surprised that it wasn't a rubber tube with a screen on the end. Please Help!!! Any Suggestion would be appreciated
When primer bulb stays flat, you most likely have some restriction between the bulb and intake in the tank, but I'd run it on a 6 gal tank first to isolate problem area. Need to be careful with fuel starvation problems if you're running pre-mix, because you're also starving the motor of oil!!

If it's a vent hose problem, just take filler cap off to see if that helps. If your tank is original like mine, I believe that metal tube, which is probably welded to the tank, goes down to about 1/8" or less above tank bottom. May or may not be a screen or gravel strainer over it. Also check that 90 degree fitting while you have it off to see how big the inside flow area. I have heard of restrictive fuel tank elbows causing fuel/oil starvation and blown power heads!

It's not that hard to pull the tank on a Seafari and I'd suggest you do that just to inspect it to make sure you don't have any other tank problems waiting to bite you after you solve the fuel restriction issue! Did it when I first got mine, and found that someone had dropped brass nut down into tank compartment before they installed the tank, so the aluminum tank was sitting on brass nut! That creates a great galvanic couple wherein the aluminum tank is the sacrificial anode to the brass nut! This means the tank will dissolve to protect the nut, much like the zinc trim tab on your motor will dissolve to protect the lower unit! Fortunately I caught it before it ate thru the tank. Coat that tank with coal tar epoxy while you have it out, and it'll last the life of the boat!

Welcome to the Seafari club! Let us know what you find out!
Denny
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