Fuel Problem??

[erikh45]

Finally got my boat out today. I have a 95 Crestliner with a 3.0 merc and a Volvo Penta SX outdrive.

I put it on the muffs in the driveway yesterday and it as a little hesitant to start, but once it caught it idled and ran fine at low rpm. I put it in the water today, and it did not want to idle. I figured it would be fine once it warmed up, so I pushed off and headed into the wind. It wants to die when I put it in gear, and won't idle smoothly if at all. When I accelerate it is very sluggish and stalls out before it gets up on plane.

I stored the boat with a full tank of gas and stabilizer through the winter. I am hoping that it is just bad gas, or sediment that was stirred up when I trailered it. What is the best (safest) way to remove the gas from the tank?

I also noticed that the choke plate on the carburetor (Holley 2bbl I believe) does not close all of the way at idle. I do not own anything else with a carb so I am not sure if it is supposed to or not.

If anybody has any ideas they would be greatly appreciated, Otherwise it is off to the repairman next week.

Thanks,
Erik

 

[Don S]

Re: Fuel Problem??

Have you done any preventive maintenance, like tuneups? Fuel filter changes?

 

[Coors]

Re: Fuel Problem??

Like Don said;
start here
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167561

 

[skeat]

Re: Fuel Problem??

Erik,

I siphoned mine out using a long outboard type fuel hose with the primer bulb but the tank fittings removed. You can't use any type of pump that might generate a spark and ignite the gas. But before you do that you may want to just run it off a good can of gas and see if the fresh gas cures the problem.

Good Luck,
Shawn

 

[Coors]

Re: Fuel Problem??

And this checks the anti-syphon How?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Fuel Problem??

But before you do that you may want to just run it off a good can of gas and see if the fresh gas cures the problem.

Ayuh,.....

And Change the Fuel Filters 1st..........

 

[skeat]

Re: Fuel Problem??

OUCH!! I know you guys don't like OMC's but I wasn't aware that you didn't like the owners of OMC's!! I was just trying to answer his original question, offering my own solution. I don't know what you are referring to "checking the siphon" , I put the primer bulb side of the hose in the tank, the other end in another tank set up lower, a couple of pumps of the bulb and off she goes...no gas in my mouth. and it saves the cost of filters which are about $10. I'm not rich so $10 still means something. Thanks for the words of encouragement though.

Shawn

 

[Bondo]

Re: Fuel Problem??

and it saves the cost of filters which are about $10. I'm not rich so $10 still means something.

Ayuh,....

Are you saying you'd throw away a Full tank of Gas,...
Rather than changing the Fuel Filters,.... Which probably Need changing Anyways,..??..??

with a 3.0 merc and a Volvo Penta SX outdrive.

And,.....
What's OMC got to do with Anything,..??

 

[skeat]

Re: Fuel Problem??

I wouldn't get rid of the gas unless it was bad. If the gas is contaminated then changing the filters would help but might make you think you've fixed the problem while only postponing the inevitable (most likely while out on the water)

Shawn

 

[Coors]

Re: Fuel Problem??

OUCH!! I know you guys don't like OMC's but I wasn't aware that you didn't like the owners of OMC's!! I was just trying to answer his original question, offering my own solution. I don't know what you are referring to "checking the siphon" , I put the primer bulb side of the hose in the tank, the other end in another tank set up lower, a couple of pumps of the bulb and off she goes...no gas in my mouth. and it saves the cost of filters which are about $10. I'm not rich so $10 still means something. Thanks for the words of encouragement though.

Shawn

I have an OMC.
The anti-siphon valve that screws into the tank gets gummed up at times.

 

[erikh45]

Re: Fuel Problem??

Thanks for the replies. I am going to try to run a fresh tank from the point where the anti siphon fitting exits the tank. I will see how that goes.

I had a Bayliner with an OMC 5.0 years ago and there were in line filters that fit into the fittings leading to the fuel pump. Does anyone know if there are filters "hiding" in the fittings on a 3.0 Merc? I have a Clymer manual for the engine/outdrive, but it is not very detailed, and does not list the location of the filters. If anyone knows where they are, let me know.

Thanks,
Erik

 

[Bondo]

Re: Fuel Problem??

Ayuh,.....

You Should have 1 Inside the Fuelpump,+ probably 1 in the Carb Inlet....

Btw,.....
It's Cheap Insurance to put a cannister type just ahead of the fuelpump......

 

[Coors]

Re: Fuel Problem??

Thanks for the replies. I am going to try to run a fresh tank from the point where the anti siphon fitting exits the tank. I will see how that goes.

I had a Bayliner with an OMC 5.0 years ago and there were in line filters that fit into the fittings leading to the fuel pump. Does anyone know if there are filters "hiding" in the fittings on a 3.0 Merc? I have a Clymer manual for the engine/outdrive, but it is not very detailed, and does not list the location of the filters. If anyone knows where they are, let me know.

Thanks,
Erik

Your life will become much easier if you ditch the Clymer, and get a factory manual.

 

[erikh45]

Re: Fuel Problem??

Your life will become much easier if you ditch the Clymer, and get a factory manual.

That is what I am figuring out.

Am I correct in my belief that the Choke Plate should be closed when the engine is at idle? Yesterday on the water it was always wide open. I cleaned it up today and it now returns to the closed position. Could this have caused the engine to not idle smooth and cut out on acceleration? With my limited knowledge this would cause the engine to get way too much air and run lean, so it makes sense in my head. I am going to remove the filters and see what I have in them. I am off to the garage. Be back later.

Erik

 

[Don S]

Re: Fuel Problem??

Am I correct in my belief that the Choke Plate should be closed when the engine is at idle?

No, you are not correct. The choke should be closed when the engine is cold, and opens as the engine warms up.

Also curious where you say you have a Merc engine and a Volvo drive? How did this happen, and Merc engines didn't use the Holley carb only Volvo.
So, what do you have, really? Got any Serial numbers for the engine?

 

[erikh45]

Re: Fuel Problem??

Don,

You are correct, and that is why I post here. I guess for some reason I assumed it was a Merc engine, but upon closer inspection it is VP 3.0 GL. The plate on the side of the engine reads:

Volvo Penta
3.0 GL MMDA
4110109806
3868033

I took the carb inlet off and inspected the filter. It was full of gunk. I also took off the water seperator and poured it in a jar. I am sure that gas is not supposed to be cloudy and yellow so I am going to pump out the gas and put in fresh stuff. I am going to try to get a hand pump of some sort and pump directly from the tank. I am going to try to post a link to pics of the filter and the gas. Bear with me. I am not very computer saavy.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z234/Erikh45/DSC03320.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z234/Erikh45/DSC03322.jpg
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z234/Erikh45/DSC03324.jpg

I will get that going, and maybe try it again tomorrow. Thanks for the help, and keep the ideas coming.

Erik

 

[Don S]

Re: Fuel Problem??

My guess is your water seperating fuel filter has more water in it that gas, and now is getting water to the carb. The filter in the pump no doubt had that stuff in it before the water seperator was installed. No way could that get past the water seperator.
I would change the seperator filter, replace the filters in the carb and the fuel pump, open up and clean the carb as it's probably got water in it that will corrode and plug the carb in time.
Might also want to clean the water and crud out of the tank as I mentened in this thread.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=212830

The water seperating fuel filters need checked and replaced once a year.

 

[erikh45]

Re: Fuel Problem??

I got all of the old gas out, and filled the tank w/5 gallons of fresh gas. I towed the boat around just in case there was more crud hiding. I then removed that 5 gallons and it looked alot better. I drained the lines, cleaned the carb inlet filter (should I just replace it?) and removed the water seperator. I have a mechanical fuel pump and I cannot get at the screws to readily remove it. I read somewhere that there is not always a fuel pump filter in the fuel pump. Is this true, and do I need to remove it to find out?
I am going to pick up new filters in the morning. Hopefully that will cure the problem. I will keep you posted.

Don,
I was going to make a new post, but I know you are following this one and probably have the right answer. Every once in a while my tilt/trim goes out. I know there are two 50amp breakers mounted on my engine, but they don't seem to re-set it. If I let it sit for a few minutes it is right back to normal.
It does not have to be under load for it to occur. It can happen when I first push the button, or if I have been using it immediately prior.
When it occurs I have no power at all. Turn the key and nothing happens.
Re-setting the breakers doesn't seem to be the answer. I am assuming that there is a loose wire causing a short from time to time. I think I have the wiring diagram for the tilt/trim somewhere, so if I get the engine figured out, that will be next. It is frustrating because it occurs very infrequently, like when I am coming into the dock, or drifting into the rocks.

Thanks,
Erik

 

[Coors]

Re: Fuel Problem??

Replace all filters.
Seafoam is good.

 

[erikh45]

Re: Fuel Problem??

I got the trim/tilt figured out. I am having trouble finding the right water seperator. I have tried two that are supposed to be for the VP. Neither fit. I took off the bracket, and I am headed back to the marine supply store with the bracket. Hopefully they have something and I can try out the boat today between the rain showers and before dark.

Erik