NJ Saltwater Fisherman Forums

Boating => Mechanical Forum => Topic started by: Fightin Irish on August 19, 2013, 10:59:34 AM

Title: Aluminum fuel tank and ethanol
Post by: Fightin Irish on August 19, 2013, 10:59:34 AM
I need some help!!!  My boat hasn't been running right for over a year now.  Take it in the shop yet get it running than I run it and it keeps stalling out.  I pumped out all the fuel twice.  Had it running this weekend after ten minutes one stalled out and I limped it back and that other motor also ha a hiccup getting in. Everything on these motors is new. Pumps filters. 9000.00 fillers later and wasted two summers now and it still isn't right.  The last time I pumped my fuel out I had fourty gallons in and after a month of sitting the fuel was all cloudy. I will be taking a sample today and if it cloudy could it be my aluminum tank that is bad.  The tanks are 2001. Has anyone else had a tank problem.
Title: Re: Aluminum fuel tank and ethanol
Post by: Reckless on August 19, 2013, 02:30:17 PM
From what I could find 10% should not have any effect on aluminum tanks. Is your tank vented? If it runs for 10 minutes then starts acting up I would look else where. If you let it sit after it stalls will it run again for another 10 minutes?

Read this.
http://www.iboats.com/basics/fuel_system_tips.html

"If fuel starvation is a symptom first suspect the tank vent, and the quickest way to eliminate that as a possible problem is to operate without the tank cap installed or closed."
Title: Re: Aluminum fuel tank and ethanol
Post by: Hunter 2 on August 19, 2013, 03:02:10 PM
 whs

Also make sure all your fuel line clamps are tight and its not sucking air from a connection
Title: Re: Aluminum fuel tank and ethanol
Post by: wb on August 19, 2013, 03:02:42 PM
or a leak on the suction side of the fuel line? clamp/hose/kink?

wouldn't explain cloudy fuel tho- maybe water entry thru filler or vent.

crap inside on tank bottom- are you able to empty it completely? almost never can...

fuel filters again it just takes a lil bit of crapa fuel to f them up. same with carbs and injectors. just cuz they are new don't mean they are right.

I can imagine your frustration, I had a modified ski years ago that had mild top ring sticktion only under load SEIZE cough stop. teardown and sucking commenced

Hopefully it's not that- you will never find it chasing a fuel problem. check the compression.
Title: Re: Aluminum fuel tank and ethanol
Post by: wb on August 19, 2013, 03:03:43 PM
dam Eddie you are too fast on the typing
Title: Re: Aluminum fuel tank and ethanol
Post by: Hunter 2 on August 20, 2013, 05:58:05 AM
dam Eddie you are too fast on the typing
;D
Title: Re: Aluminum fuel tank and ethanol
Post by: Fightin Irish on August 20, 2013, 11:09:15 AM
It is a 2001 200hp hpdi Yamaha.  I have fifty psi at the vst tank and my air pressure that should be around 700psi is barely putting any psi out. Get it fixed than it happens again. I want to check the fuel lines from vst to pressure pump and see if it is gunked up inside. 
Title: Re: Aluminum fuel tank and ethanol
Post by: Hunter 2 on August 20, 2013, 12:56:18 PM
Reminder to look for a collapsed or crimped fuel line.  Sometimes the straps that hold the line in place can be crushing it a bit.
Sorry for your troubles.
Title: Re: Aluminum fuel tank and ethanol
Post by: Reckless on August 20, 2013, 05:11:09 PM
 whs
Title: Re: Aluminum fuel tank and ethanol
Post by: wb on August 20, 2013, 08:38:33 PM
I remember reading somewhere that (I think) the HPDIs have "mystery filters" right at each injector. Basically a tiny basket shaped screen designed as a last resort to catch crap before the tiny orifice in the injector. Apparently Yamaha did not include it as a part on the parts lists originally, so there was some confusion even as to their existence. A lack of availability of it as a replacement part (Yamaha sources the injector as an assembly from a 3rd party) compounded the problem. Supposedly fixed.

Check out thehulltruth.com as I recall I read it there (so it must be true...)
Title: Re: Aluminum fuel tank and ethanol
Post by: Fightin Irish on August 21, 2013, 10:13:42 AM
I had the injectors cleaned and there is a filter about the size of a pencils eraser.  The boat is at Lockwood marina and they can't figure it out either. I want to check the fuel line between vst and high pressure pump