Fuel intake issue (I hope)???

peterb · #1 03-25-2005, 04:58 PM

I recently bought a 1978 Seacraft FS. It has twin 1998 SW series HP engines, w/Raco fuel filters.

I had the filters changed out and the boatyard (which is 2 hours away said everything ran fine).

I just turned over the engines. One engine ran fine and the other did not. The one that sounds like its operating several cylinders short has a fuel bulb that i cannot get hard. Hence I think that I may have a fuel inflow problem. i called the boatyard and they say that I should check my lines, but that the fuel filter has to be fine.

On my Yamaha fuel management system it alarms with the "bad engine". It looks like that it is indicating a water seperator alarm.

Some quick questions.

How do i check this? Do I remove the screw at the bottom of the filter in question?

Would this restrict my fuel inflow?

Has anyone ever experienced a problem like this?

Any other ideas & input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,

Peter

Capt Chuck · #2 03-25-2005, 05:27 PM

Peter

Make sure the sealing rings on the filters are not twisted and that you have a tight seal. Usually a little silicon grease will help on them and the threads. Another thought would be to make sure your fuel lines are the same size coming from the fuel tank to the separators and then from the filters to the engines. Those big V-6s like 3/8" lines!
Then check the hose clamps. The fuel bulb could have a crack in it that you can't see. If they are old, just go ahead and replace the lines and bulbs. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Quote:

operating several cylinders short has a fuel bulb that i cannot get hard.

BTW: That's what she says [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

peterb · #3 03-25-2005, 06:46 PM

Captain Chuck,

I will have to select my words more carefully around you. Thanks for the advice.

Now a really stupid question (where my ignorance will come through loud and clear)

Do I unscrew the nut on the bottom (not the one with the electrical wires) to check the water separator?

If I do and it is on tight can i gently use a wrecnch (counter clockwise) to undo it?

ScottM · #4 03-25-2005, 07:27 PM

Peter,
Just yesterday my mechanic gave me a tip for getting the bulb hard (Chuck, no comments from the peanut gallery! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]). Hold the bulb vertical with the flow arrow facing up. This will allow the check valves to work properly. If it still doesn't get hard, the bulb is bad. Also, if you're using aftermarket fuel lines and bulbs, swap them out for OEM parts. They're definitely worth the extra $$.

Another thing I learned was that the inner wall of aftermarket fuel line can collapse on itself and cause a restriction.

Finster · #5 03-25-2005, 09:59 PM

Do you have one or two pickups off the tank? If two, then you could have a cheesed up pickup. If your splitting it at the separator then make sure that clears too.

And remember, righty tighty, lefty loosie. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

ScottM, didn't you have a pickup problem last season? BTW you did say "get hard" twice in one paragraph....

peterb · #6 03-25-2005, 10:21 PM

I have two Raco fuel filters (one per engine).

Unfortunately, for me to get back to the tank and where it separates i will have to unscrew the back panel which is sealed in there pretty good.

I will first try the easy stuff (clear the water separator [once somebody tells me how]and replace the fuel line bulb), and then take it from there.