restricted fuel line

[The Oz]

Have intermittent but frequent serious problem with 115 hp obd. conking out because of restriction in fuel line. Primer bulb collapses. Filter is new and same problem even if it is bypassed. Tank is buried in hull and foamed in place. Is there any way to clean the tank to get the junk which is apparently plugging my pick up tube? Cannot find a tank cleaning company willing to work on my tank holding about 40 gals gas. Any ideas? Suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Haffiman]

Re: restricted fuel line

Check if you have an anti-siphon valve attached to the pic-up tube.
Any picks available of your tank top with pick-up tube?

 

[The Oz]

Re: Restricted Fuel Line (?)

Re: Restricted Fuel Line (?)

No anti-syphon valve that I can find but I have not actually seen the top of the tank- yet. Tank is well vented, filter element is new, flex lines were new in June as was the primer bulb. Boat is an Invader model 183 Fisherman. Company is OOB so can't get any info from them. Engine is 115 Suzuki, 2 stroke, EFI. Sad to say so far points to something in the tank getting sucked onto the pick up tube. Is it common for there to be a screen there or just an open end?

 

[Outsider]

Re: restricted fuel line

The anti-siphon is usually at the tank outlet. Most boats have an access plate, you'll have to cut one if you don't. Could be stoppage at the pick-up, but I'd bet on the anti-siphon ...

 

[The Oz]

Re: restricted fuel line

Thanks for your responses. Anti-syphon valves are required by the Coast Guard only if any part of the fuel system is lower than the fuel tank, thereby creating the potential for a syphoning action. This arrangement is uncommon on outboard powered boats, which this is, so there is no anti-syphon valve to suspect as the problem.

 

[Haffiman]

Re: restricted fuel line

Can not remember if I at any time have seen a US boat with fixed tank installation without the anti siphon valve, outboard or inboard.
Has nothing to do with engine type.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: restricted fuel line

I had a rubber pick up tube in a plastic tank rot once, gave me a lot of intermittent grief until I finally figured it out. I don't know if they use rubber tubes in permanent tanks but it's something to look at.

 

[109jb]

Re: restricted fuel line

Can not remember if I at any time have seen a US boat with fixed tank installation without the anti siphon valve, outboard or inboard.
Has nothing to do with engine type.

The regs say:

183.568 - Anti-siphon protection

Each fuel line from the fuel tank to the fuel inlet connection on the carburetor must:

(a) Be above the level of the tank top; or
(b) Have an anti-siphon device or an electrically operated fuel stop valve:

Mine doesn't have an anti siphon valve and all of the fuel line is above the top of the tank. 1988 Sea Ray Seville 16' outboard. Here is what mine has. Tank -- 1/4 turn shutoff valve -- fuel hose -- primer bulb -- more hose -- engine. Everything below the splashwell looked original.

I know for sure that it doesn't because I actually just extended the hose from the primer bulb to siphon the gas out of the tank when I tore the boat apart for a new deck.

 

[proaudioguy]

Re: restricted fuel line

Can not remember if I at any time have seen a US boat with fixed tank installation without the anti siphon valve, outboard or inboard.
Has nothing to do with engine type.

Legally speaking you are wrong. I read the law before reinstalling my tank that had no anti-syphon valve. Please tell me how gas will leak out of my tank UP to the engine. Don't misread my tone as negative. I can see how reading this it could appear ugly and I don't mean it to be at all.
That is not to say you haven't "always" seen them installed.

 

[Beefer]

Re: restricted fuel line

The anti-siphon valve is the (usually) at the connection from the fuel tank pickup and the first fuel line. From the exterior, it looks like this:

I took mine out, thinking it was causing the same problem that you are having. Wasn't it, although it's my understanding that lots of times they fail, and do cause this kind of problem. My issue?.... Same as suspected with yours; crap in the fuel tank clogging up the pickup tube.

It could also be a problem with your vent line. Next time it happens, open the gas cap. If air sucks in, it's your vent.

As far as getting your tank cleaned, where are you located? I'm in a heavy boating area (West Central FL), and there are numerous companies that do this here. Look under tank cleaning, and if that produces no results, ask the manager next time you get gas at a convenience store/gas station who they use. You will find someone who can do it, even with the fuel in the tank. They will either remove the fuel, and ditch it (or keep it for themselves), or they can polish it for you, and you get it back.

 

[The Oz]

Re: restricted fuel line

Thanks for your replies. I haven't seen anything I thought was an anti-syphon valve in my installation, and besides, there is no place for fuel to syphon since everthing is well above the tank. But Beefer has sent a picture, and now I'm wondering if what I thought was just a hose barb fitting is really the a-s valve. Got to do some surgery again and take another look. Problem is not with venting- I thought of that and opened the filler cap when having trouble- no difference. I've called a bunch of tank cleaning outfits around here but none will work on small (to them) gasoline tanks, and they won't be bothered with my little (to them) problem. Boat yards only say they would pull and replace the tank, which seems drastic, a lot of work, and expensive (est. $1200 to 1500). My boat is practically useless now so I'm taking it out of the water for the season- will get to the bottom of this somehow before next year (I'm in Massachusetts so the year's about over anyway). Appreciate all your good attempts to help me.

 

[dingbat]

Re: restricted fuel line

If you don't have an anti-shipon valve, just take compressed air and blow back thru the fuel line. 80-100 psi would take care of anything stuck in the lines or the pick-up.

 

[proaudioguy]

Re: restricted fuel line

My pick up tube has a screen on the bottom and if there is anything in the tank (there is) it clogs up. I release the pressure on the line and whatever it is falls back in and it works for a while. I've also noticed when it get's plugged up the engine races like crazy when I throw it in neutral, but I shut it down pretty fast. I'm definitely making progress. Anyway I thought this might help. BTW, I can access my pick up tube by pulling the fuel gauge sender. Also the right angled barb fitting looks exactly like the anti-syphon pictured above but mine is open both ways.

 

[Beefer]

Re: restricted fuel line

If you do find a connection like the one pictured, an anti-siphon will have a little spring loaded ball in it. If there's no ball, then it's just a plain old fashioned fitting. FYI