87 18 SF fuel issues

[Vezo, Part II]

This is Vezo, Part I’s 18, replaced 47 gallon fuel tank with identical from Sunshine. All new fill, vent and pick up to Racor water separator, to fuel bulb and into engine, in 2010. He went out on Friday, 7 am. By 3, he was completely exhausted and bent over fuel issues. Solution? Drink more and faster, have older brother come to ramp, retrieve, cross highway and try for shrimp. I board at 3:30 seated on tackle box above forward seat of console. He advises stand behind the leaning post between them because when engine dies I will be in the water. This 2010 Suzuki 140 only knows two speeds: 800 and 6000 rpms. Roughly 800 hours.

My brothers buddy advises he has drained clear bowl of Racor, until completely full of water, or degradation of aluminum fuel tank, at least 50 times earlier. I watch. Appears water for sure. Parker’s is a local new fuel station in the last ten years and tanks should be good. Tommy has ONLY used non-ethanol since ObamaCare corn methanol. Possibility, non-ethanol, not turning over often enough? Been advised this is/may be Non-Ethanol crystalization? Anyone?

[Vezo, Part II]

We needed more beer, went to a different Parker’s and topped off 17 gallons with ethanol 89, after he had topped off with 11 gallons of non (should note he added a can of SeaFoam), Thursday night.

Monday morning he pumped tank dry of 35 remaining gallons, with no water or any evidence of those crystals that resembled salt Crystals used in a residential water softener system. He asks me to river test so we head back to Parker’s, grab an 18 pack, and add 15 gallons of fresh E-89. I drove. No problems at 3800, 4200, 4600. Took a break. Try to get back on plane and she dies. Same shit all day. The above pic is from Monday. Friday’s discovery/no photo but I saw literally 3 times the amount of crystals located outside Racor gasket. Feels like sand, but looks crystallized. When you lean the filter to drain it, oh 17 micron, it makes contact with this crud and it liquifies and disappears. At one point of pulling separator from housing, the rubber gasket is blown out almost one inch. Stretched. Replaced gasket with new one from new separator we had onboard.

Top of tank looks good. Both wires coming off of fuel sending unit were broken off at connection. Electrolysis? Time to have tank “cleaned” and pressure tested (difficult)? At this point we’re starting to think engine fuel pump could be pulling air, and may try using existing fuel line from pick up as a snake to pull through and replace. No sediment making it to engine mounted filter. Any clues? Too many variables to accurately diagnose?

Vezo, Part II

[Vezo, Part II]

34 views and no suggestions? Anyone else surprised to see those crystals surrounding the Racor gasket? My brother and I are retired firefighters, born and raised in NJ, grew up around a firehouse, and have thick skin. Just too many variables to take a guess?

His tank has corroded at the sending unit, allowing only three of five screws to actually catch threads. My bad tank was salvageable at this connection so Part I decided to cut what he needed, and see if he could possibly get a better seal. At this point we are reaching...

[Fr. Frank]

All of that in only 8 years?

The crystals in the fuel form during fuel phase-separation are from gasoline additives . It's worse with summer blend gasoline.

[Vezo, Part II]

Makes a lot of sense Fr. Frank. All VooDoo fluid is tested at 68*, in a laboratory setting. Not exactly recommended for 98*, and 98% humidity sometimes up to 90 days, or more. Possible separation in 12 hours? Not sure last time he may have added that. Thank You! See if we can get it worked out...

Vezo, Part II