Tapping my primary fuel line

[johnandmarybeth]

I was hoping for some insight to an idea I had of tapping into my primary motors fuel line to use for fuel for my kicker.

What I have is a 18' Bayliner with a 125 hp Mercury 2 storke outboard (oil injected so the fuel coming from the tank is staight gas). I'm adding a 5 hp mercury four stroke kicker. I was hoping to "T" into the rubber fuel line between where it exists the hull and where it enters my 125 to provide fuel for my kicker. This way I won't have to run an extra tank for the kicker.

My questions are this:

1) Do I "T" into the rubber line before or after the primer bulb? If before then do I need to add a second primer bulb for the kicker?
2) Do I need fuel shut offs after the "T" so I won't flood either motor while the other is running?
3) I assume brass fittings with hose clamps?

Any other ideas, comments or concerns would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks again

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Tapping my primary fuel line

you need a 2 way tee valve, to direct the fuel to either motor, why put more joints in it. you need a primer for each motor between the valve, and motors, you should be running a fuel/water separating filter before the tee valve.

 

[gss036]

Re: Tapping my primary fuel line

If you have a fuel/water filter, check the top of the housing to see if there is another outlet on it with a plug, if so use that. That is how I have been running my 15 hp Honda for many years w/o any problems.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Tapping my primary fuel line

I set mine up with quick connect fittings--takes maybe 30 seconds to change over. Male on the filter/separator and female on the engine hoses. I also carry a double male fitting in case I would want to use the short main engine hose on the 3 gallon tank.

While this would be the primary system I would use, expecting problems due to Murphy's Law, (like stupidly running out of gas on the main tank) I carry a three gallon can for the kicker. Doesn't take much room and since I am primarily within sight of shore, it's always enough to get me back.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Tapping my primary fuel line

If you have a fuel/water filter, check the top of the housing to see if there is another outlet on it with a plug, if so use that. That is how I have been running my 15 hp Honda for many years w/o any problems.

I agree. Most water separators have two inlet points and two outlet points. Why go through all of the hassle of putting Ts, etc. in the system when all you have to do is run another line off of the separator?

My experience with primer bulbs is that you can put them just about anywhere. I have two saddle tanks in my boat and a third fuel line running to the bow with a standard OMC fuel tank connector on it. Sometimes I carry one or two, removable tanks in the bow for extra range. My saddle tanks have primer bulbs at each tank but the line running to the aux tank area does not. I also have a primer bulb in the line running from the water separator to the main powerplant. This bulb is about 6 inches away from the conenctor that joins the motor's fuel fitting. I can use any of these bulbs to fill the separator when it is empty and then send fuel all the way to the engine. Even when using the aux tanks, the bulb at the motor will create enough suction in the line to draw fuel into the separator, fill it and then pull fuel to the motor.

 

[johnandmarybeth]

Re: Tapping my primary fuel line

Thanks everyone! I was at West Marine today and they suggested the water seperator. Being that they Bayliner was not fitted with one I think I'll go that route. This will accomplish two things, filter/seperator and additional fuel line options. Would I still need someway of shutting off fuel to one motor when using the other to prevent motor flooding?

Thanks again!

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Tapping my primary fuel line

The motor that is not running will not draw fuel from the separator so you will be fine without a valve.

 

[johnandmarybeth]

Re: Tapping my primary fuel line

I agree. Most water separators have two inlet points and two outlet points. Why go through all of the hassle of putting Ts, etc. in the system when all you have to do is run another line off of the separator?

My experience with primer bulbs is that you can put them just about anywhere. I have two saddle tanks in my boat and a third fuel line running to the bow with a standard OMC fuel tank connector on it. Sometimes I carry one or two, removable tanks in the bow for extra range. My saddle tanks have primer bulbs at each tank but the line running to the aux tank area does not. I also have a primer bulb in the line running from the water separator to the main powerplant. This bulb is about 6 inches away from the conenctor that joins the motor's fuel fitting. I can use any of these bulbs to fill the separator when it is empty and then send fuel all the way to the engine. Even when using the aux tanks, the bulb at the motor will create enough suction in the line to draw fuel into the separator, fill it and then pull fuel to the motor.

That's alot of fuel Jay! What are you running? And how far?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Tapping my primary fuel line

i have a different take on the shut off, i the past there have been issues, where the main motor is tilted, while running the troller, tilting the engine, throws the carb floats out of level thus opening the float needle, and the fuel line sucking air from the main motor carbs. path of least resistance.

 

[gss036]

Re: Tapping my primary fuel line

That is possible I guess, but I would think the primer bulb would prevent the back flow. I have never had that expience in the last 15 years running engines that way w/89 200 hp Merc and 15 hp Honda.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Tapping my primary fuel line

these new aftermarket bulbs are crap, you have to point the arrow to the sky, to get them to hold prime.

 

[CatTwentyTwo]

Re: Tapping my primary fuel line

I agree with the shutoff valve, my kicker would run from 1/2 to 1 hour before stalling from lack of fuel. The shutoff valve fixed the problem, you just have to come up with some way to remind yourself to switch the valve back and forth.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Tapping my primary fuel line

When everything works correctly you don't need the valve. Both of my boats with big motors and kickers (200 hp and 9.9, 90hp and 8hp) just run straight off the fuel filter and I've had no issues in many years. Most of my friends have the same setup and none of them use valves either, but if you do have issues a valve would help.

I have had to return some new primer bulbs because they don't work right though.

 

[boondoggler]

Re: Tapping my primary fuel line

All,
Terrific info, I have a similar challenge ahead of me. I have a yamaha f150 and I am going to put a yamaha 15hp 4-stroke. If I can pull off the fuel-water separator I will, but if I can't I will put in a T. Regardless, wouldn't fuel check-valves on both lines before the bulbs be the best of all options? If the reason to install a selector switch is to isolate each motor then the check valve would have the same effect...and I would not have to remember to flip the switch; and having the check valves adds some redundancy with the bulbs. The major difference is that I should be able to fire up the kicker, before I power down the main power.

Does this make sense?