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Boat fuel tank problem??
Posted on 9/15/17 at 11:02 am
Posted on 9/15/17 at 11:02 am
Key West CC with a suzuki outboard 2010
Last time I took it out it ran out of gas and had to get someone to bring me about 3 gallons to get back to the marina. When this happened the fuel gauge was reading almost half. I went to fill it up today expecting it to be empty but it turns out there was already 10 gallons in there when I ran out of gas. What the hell is going on here?
Last time I took it out it ran out of gas and had to get someone to bring me about 3 gallons to get back to the marina. When this happened the fuel gauge was reading almost half. I went to fill it up today expecting it to be empty but it turns out there was already 10 gallons in there when I ran out of gas. What the hell is going on here?
2
Posted on 9/15/17 at 11:13 am to LEASTBAY
Every marine fuel sender will fail eventually. If you have an access panel in the deck, you should take a look at it.
Sounds like your weren't actually out of gas. Maybe you have a pickup tube issue.
Sounds like your weren't actually out of gas. Maybe you have a pickup tube issue.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 11:58 am to mohalk
as mentioned, it might be the pickup tube has an issue
plus any leak in the fuel line somewhere will allow it to suck air instead of gas, also if the tank vent is clogged it forms a vacuum and cant suck gas and both of these situations it will act like its out of gas.
the sending unit in tank or the gauge is bad so check those to see which needs replacing and then run all new fuel lines from tank to motor just to be safe.
did you notice suction on the cap when you opened it to add gas? if so that tells you the vent is blocked.
plus any leak in the fuel line somewhere will allow it to suck air instead of gas, also if the tank vent is clogged it forms a vacuum and cant suck gas and both of these situations it will act like its out of gas.
the sending unit in tank or the gauge is bad so check those to see which needs replacing and then run all new fuel lines from tank to motor just to be safe.
did you notice suction on the cap when you opened it to add gas? if so that tells you the vent is blocked.
This post was edited on 9/15/17 at 11:59 am
Posted on 9/15/17 at 12:08 pm to keakar
not sure abut suction, I just took the pickup tube out and it was clean along with the screen. Not sure how this vent is setup. I will see if I can get it apart.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 12:32 pm to LEASTBAY
vent also looks good, its right in the filler neck. maybe some kind of gunk got in the line somewhere and filling it more removed it. Gonna change the filters and bring a gas can with me tomorrow if I go.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 12:48 pm to LEASTBAY
have a good look around in the tank, might be something in there blocked the filter screen
maybe a bit of thin plastic of something somehow got in there to block it.
then again, it might have just had a tad of water in the tank that got sucked up
I know its frustrating as hell not to find reasons for theses things because you cant just relax and enjoy boating if you have to be on edge you might get stranded again at any moment.
did you have a soft pump ball when it ran out ofgas? or was it sucked in?
also my Suzuki had a high and a low pressure fuel filter under the cover so replace that metal high pressure filter on top of the engine, it might have been the problem
maybe a bit of thin plastic of something somehow got in there to block it.
then again, it might have just had a tad of water in the tank that got sucked up
I know its frustrating as hell not to find reasons for theses things because you cant just relax and enjoy boating if you have to be on edge you might get stranded again at any moment.
did you have a soft pump ball when it ran out ofgas? or was it sucked in?
also my Suzuki had a high and a low pressure fuel filter under the cover so replace that metal high pressure filter on top of the engine, it might have been the problem
This post was edited on 9/15/17 at 12:51 pm
Posted on 9/15/17 at 12:59 pm to keakar
The bulb was soft like it was empty. Also now that it's full a little fuel came out and leaked around the tank and ran out the drain plug in back. Is this anything to worry about? Just airing it out as best as I can now.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 1:27 pm to LEASTBAY
ok, just soft means it sucked in air somehow, a blockage in the line or clogged vent it would have been sucked in.
might be the fuel line between tank and bulb or the pickup tube has a hole in it or a leak at the connection. one thing to keep in mind, a leak in the line doesnt always mean gas leaks out, often it just lets it suck air in because it works on suction and has no real pressure behind it to force the gas to leak out.
as for the spill just let it air out, might peel some paint if it sits there in a puddle for a while
might be the fuel line between tank and bulb or the pickup tube has a hole in it or a leak at the connection. one thing to keep in mind, a leak in the line doesnt always mean gas leaks out, often it just lets it suck air in because it works on suction and has no real pressure behind it to force the gas to leak out.
as for the spill just let it air out, might peel some paint if it sits there in a puddle for a while
This post was edited on 9/15/17 at 1:34 pm
Posted on 9/15/17 at 1:29 pm to keakar
i raised the front up I think most of it came out. Boat is running fine now. Pickup tube looks new so does vent. gonna change the filters when it stops raining
Posted on 9/15/17 at 1:34 pm to LEASTBAY
another FYI is that I had a see through fuel separator filter that had cartridges you replace instead of the oil filter looking filter and it was leaking at the plastic screw cap where it sucked in air and I chased that for weeks before finding it. finally noticed the trapped air bubble that got larger the faster I revved engine,
bought a new filter cartridge and cap section for it and its fixed
this is the one I have LINK
bought a new filter cartridge and cap section for it and its fixed
this is the one I have LINK
This post was edited on 9/15/17 at 1:36 pm
Posted on 9/15/17 at 1:51 pm to keakar
I have a new sierra filter in the box.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 8:01 pm to LEASTBAY
How sure are you of the size of the tank? Did it start up easily after adding the 3 gallons?
Posted on 9/15/17 at 8:54 pm to LEASTBAY
It sounds like you have a fuel hose leak somewhere between your bulb and the tank. With a full tank, you have some pressure head advantage to keep the motor running and then you're eventually drawing in too much air.
I'm not sure what the build quality on the Key West is, or your Suzuki installer, but sometimes boat mechanics use shitty automotive "stainless" hose clamps, or they only use one. 17-4 stainless or 304 is common and cheap, but it won't hold up in a boat. Could also be a defective hose.
If you track it down and repair the hose, use two 316 stainless marine clamps on each hose barb and align them in opposite directions.
I'm not sure what the build quality on the Key West is, or your Suzuki installer, but sometimes boat mechanics use shitty automotive "stainless" hose clamps, or they only use one. 17-4 stainless or 304 is common and cheap, but it won't hold up in a boat. Could also be a defective hose.
If you track it down and repair the hose, use two 316 stainless marine clamps on each hose barb and align them in opposite directions.
Posted on 9/16/17 at 9:22 pm to mohalk
Started easy after adding the fuel. I took it out today but didn't burn much. Just gonna go ahead and replace the fuel lines soon.
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