fuel tank pick-up tube filter

[Maxum21]

hey, been having what i believe is fuel related issues with my outboard. I found a kinked fuel line which i replaced then decided to inspect the fuel pickup and filter screen which is usually on the end of the tube. only problem is when i slide the tube out the tank there was no filter or screen on the end. just an angled off edge. I did measure it and the tube is reaching the bottom of the tank. Does the filter screen need to be replaced or can i run it as-is? i do have a fuel/water seperator and an inline fuel filter up near the motor to prevent any debris from reaching the carbs. If it does need to be replaced do you know where i can find one? thanks

 

[Texasmark]

Re: fuel tank pick-up tube filter

Probably depends upon how you manage your fuel....hygiene. If you are careful, no biggie. You have a filter in the engine that will protect your carburetors.

Mark

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: fuel tank pick-up tube filter

Have not specified if it's a stationary under deck or portable tank ? If portable you can clog with accumulated debris the tube pick up exit, primer bulb and fill faster main engine filter if using tank that way. You wouldn't want to experiment fuel related issues, bad performance or sudden stops when boating. Can replace that thin mesh filter as a spare part most of the time.

You newer know when buying gasoline what might come included free from service station pump tanks unless you filter your fuel yourself prior filling tank. If mesh filter lives at bottom tank, is for some important reason. Anyway cleaning a portable fuel tank is a piece of cake with wipped cream on top.

Happy Boating

 

[louiefl]

Re: fuel tank pick-up tube filter

I would rather not have a screen in the tank at the pickup end; any debris will be stuck forever in the tank and it eliminates one more thing that could clog. At least with the filters and water separators you can see when a problem is starting and they are simple enough to clean / replace. I only have a Racor fuel filter / water separator with a clear bowl and drain, and did away with my inline filter between the Racor and the engine. 10 microns is tiny compared to the size of the carb jets so you should be good there. I drained mine over the weekend after running 2 months and 75 gallons and only saw a few flecks and a couple drops of water. Some fuel pumps have a last ditch screen to protect the diaphragm - I would check that as well.

If you are still having fuel related issues, try running on a portable can, if it doesn't clear things up then it is the engine, not the fuel delivery system. What are the symptoms? At idle, full throttle? hot? cold? post up year and model and we may be able to help troubleshoot.

 

[Maxum21]

Re: fuel tank pick-up tube filter

thankyou for the replies. it is a below deck 30 gallon tank. The pickup screen did fall off the tube and i was able to fish it out the tank with a piece of wire. I did in fact decide to leave it out. There does seem to be some gunk in the tank but theres not much i can do to clean it out without cutting up the floor and pulling it out. i'll just rely on my filters and replace them frequently..
As far as my motor issue, i may have found the problem which was a kinked fuel line.(hoping that was the issue) At 3/4 to wot it started to bog down and die after a few seconds. it did that a few times. at half power it ran fine. my motor is a '96 115 johnson. i bought a guage to test the psi of the fuel pump. anyone know how much psi i should be getting? its a standard non oil injected fuel pump. thanks