mercruiser fuel losing prime

[comp-time]

1987 mercruiser 260 alpha one losing prime after sitting. I replaced the fuel lines and pump and put in a new filter in the carb. there doesn't seem to be any leaks in the lines and I used marine fuel lines. after sitting for a while, it fails to start. when this happens i take the water seperator off and it only about 1/3 full of fuel. I pour a little fuel in the carb or fill the filter with gas and it starts and runs fine at all rpms. once it is primed, I am able to shut it down for a couple of hours and it restarts with no problems.

 

[comp-time]

Re: mercruiser fuel losing prime

so I was doing some more investigating on my problem. I took the pick-up tube out of the gas tank and found a crack in the tube near the fitting inside the tank. Is there a chance that this could be my problem? My theory is that this crack caused air to mix with the gasoline as it passed through the fuel pick-up tube and after sitting for a while the air gathered in the water separator? It sounds like a stretch to me but i guess it could be. does anyone have any thoughts? I haven't made it to the lake to test it yet but i plan on it soon.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: mercruiser fuel losing prime

Could always plumb in a 6 gal outboard tank right to the fuel pump fitting

 

[glastron50gl]

Re: mercruiser fuel losing prime

Run the test for fuel stated above for Adults Only in the forum section. If the pickup is cracked I would replace the whole assembly including the check valve. Also if you can drain the tank and look for bad fuel ( It settles on the bottom) I just went through the same thing.

 

[comp-time]

Re: mercruiser fuel losing prime

i fixed the crack by putting a new pick-up tube in it. the next part I'm gonna throw at it is a new water separator kit. i didn't mention it but I did drain the tank.

 

[Joe Long]

Re: mercruiser fuel losing prime

Just wondering if you got your seperator to stay primed and if so what the problem was.

 

[comp-time]

Re: mercruiser fuel losing prime

the problem ended up being the pick up tube in the tank. Thanks for all the help.

 

[Bondo]

Re: mercruiser fuel losing prime

the problem ended up being the pick up tube in the tank. Thanks for all the help.

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