Bertram31.com General Bulletin Board

Interesting fuel problem and the fix

Posted By: Bruce
Date: Friday, 7 January 2005, at 4:07 p.m.

When checking for fuel problems, don't forget the suction side of things.
(edited to remove suggestive content)

I got a call from an owner who was at his wits end over a fuel problem on his port engine.
He had many mechanics look at it and repaired everything from the pickup to the injection pump and injectors with nothing fixing the problem.

Engine would run for a couple of minutes then die after priming.

He estimated he had sunk 3 or 4k into the problem.
He got my name from someone and gave me a call to possibly repower the boat.

After going over to the boat and listening to the problem and what was done and looking at the system, I asked if he would mind if I looked at it. I told him no charge if I didn't find anything.

First thing I saw was some tubing t'd off the outlet of the racor heading fwd. It turned out to be a tube for the vaccum gage mounted in the dash.

I pulled the fuel line off the tank and mounted a OB primer bulb to pressurize the the fuel system.

A few pumps of the bulb revealed a spray of fuel comming from a bundle of wires and ac lines.
After pulling things apart the plastic tubing for the racor gage had been tied to the high pressure line of the AC. Which can get very hot. Over the years the tubing had melted and leaked. But being on the suction side of things, it leaked air, not fuel.

A $2.50 1/4" tube union and 1/2hr labor fixed the problem.

When diagnosing fuel problems such as air leaks, don't forget to pressurize the suction side of things.
The OB primer bulb requires no electric, is easy to install and with clear tubing attached can reveal air bubbles from the tank pickup.

Don't use electric pumps because some filters are not meant to be pressurized with anything more than 1 to 3lbs of pressure.

Owner was real happy and thus forgot about the repower.
What could have been a 80k job turned out to be $65.00.

There goes the mountain hideaway.
Anyone need some work?

Messages In This Thread

Interesting fuel problem and the fix
Bruce -- Friday, 7 January 2005, at 4:07 p.m.

Re: Interesting fuel problem and the fix
Tommy -- Friday, 7 January 2005, at 4:59 p.m.

Re: Interesting fuel problem and the fix
Bruce -- Friday, 7 January 2005, at 5:48 p.m.

Re: Interesting fuel problem and the fix
Walter Kaprielian -- Friday, 7 January 2005, at 5:25 p.m.

Re: Interesting fuel problem and the fix
Gary Gibson -- Friday, 7 January 2005, at 5:41 p.m.