Fuel Delivery advice needed

[newcomlr]

I have a toon with a 22' gallon tank and a 60HP two stroke 2003 Mercury Big Foot. After some issues with bad fuel and/or water in fuel last year, I added a water/fuel separator in the off season. I had one of those see thru in-line fuel filters already, and I just left it on after adding the separator.

I suspect that I'm not getting good flow now and may be running lean. The boat starts fine, but definitely down on power. Additionally, when priming the bulb, I'm not seeing the full flow I saw last year (without the separator installed). The illustration below depicts the current set-up.

I may go ahead and remove the see thru filter to see if that helps, but I like having it there. Is it common to affect fuel flow with the spin on type separators? The way I mounted the separator, I ended up using inlet and outlets on the same side of the housing....shouldn't make a difference, but wondering if using inlet/out on opposite sides would help.

Advice? Suggestions?

 

[MinUph]

Re: Fuel Delivery advice needed

I installed mine with the primer bulb between the tank and the filter. There also should be arrows for fuel flow on the top of the unit follow these. If what you have connected goes in the right direction you're good there. These should not restrict flow unless they are really dirty.

 

[newcomlr]

Re: Fuel Delivery advice needed

I've got the intake and outlets correct. Seems to be diverse opinions on whether the primer should be before or after the separator. I just sent an email to Mallory to see what they say. I must have lost the instructions that came with the separator kit.

I removed the see-thru filter today, but it didn't seem like it changed anything, since I pumped it for awhile and couldn't get the bulb firm. I may temporarily bypass the separator and see if I'm back to a firm bulb state.

 

[jakedaawg]

Re: Fuel Delivery advice needed

If your complaint is that the bulb does not get hard there are other issues than just your filter set-up to check. If this is a carburated (sp?) engine you need to check that your needle and float are closing. I would first suspect the primer bulb itself though. With the poor fuel we have been seeing in my area they do not last as long as they used to especially if they are aftermarket types. It seems that these days you need to hold the bulb in a vertical manner to get it to pump and firm up. You should also be using 3/8 fuel line, bulb, and connectors. I have also noticed that if you are using the grey type of fuel line, (the one that looks like it is made of two different materials when you look at the end), that the inner layer can become seperated from the outer layer. This has the effect of collapsing the fuel line under suction without it being evident from the outside.

 

[newcomlr]

Re: Fuel Delivery advice needed

If your complaint is that the bulb does not get hard there are other issues than just your filter set-up to check. If this is a carburated (sp?) engine you need to check that your needle and float are closing. I would first suspect the primer bulb itself though. With the poor fuel we have been seeing in my area they do not last as long as they used to especially if they are aftermarket types. It seems that these days you need to hold the bulb in a vertical manner to get it to pump and firm up. You should also be using 3/8 fuel line, bulb, and connectors. I have also noticed that if you are using the grey type of fuel line, (the one that looks like it is made of two different materials when you look at the end), that the inner layer can become seperated from the outer layer. This has the effect of collapsing the fuel line under suction without it being evident from the outside.

The bulb could get very firm before I put the water/fuel separator and new hose. 3/8" hose used throughout, all new. It is the grey type which I understand is what is recommended for fuel line exposed to the elements (above deck). May try a new bulb, but the one I added last August came from local marine dealer.

Someone suggested checking the backflow valve at the tank. I didn't even know that fitting was a backflow valve.

 

[old jim]

Re: Fuel Delivery advice needed

Is your tank vented? If so is the vent open? Are you suckind air at any of the add ons on your fule line?
What type of hose clamps are you using? I thnk it is now advised to use 2 clamps at each connection.
old jim