Ethanol fuel problems

[laflelx]

I just filled up my 1972 22.2 Aquasport with 52 gallons of gas.  I'm in Massachusetts and it's the first year for this 10% ethanol gas.  I have read a good deal about it and thought I took all the right steps.  I ran all the MBET gas out of the boat before filling up with 10% ethanol gas.  I installed a new water seperating filter and fuel filter.  Also have a couple spares on board.
We took the boat out for the first time to do some fishing this weekend.  She ran well all day.  Put on close to 25 miles.  About 2 miles from the ramp the motor (200hp 1996 merc, oil injection system removed,  pre-mixed gas/oil) stalled out.  It fired back up but died out a soon as you gave it a little throttle.  After changing out the filters, the boat ran the same.  We had to limp back to the ramp at 6 mph.  The motor sounds and feels like it's being starved for fuel.  Could anything have made it past the filters to clog the injectors?  Is there a screen in the gas tank that might be restricting flow?
Any suggestions would be appriciated.

Thanks, Larry

[Tailgunner]

Larry,
I would check the inline fuel filter. I know you said you replaced it but that's where I would start. Certainly is the cheapest place to start.

[Tailgunner]

Okay, now it's my turn!

Went out this morning and everything was fine until I opened her up. Engine dies. Won't start again. After draining Racor several times, I get it to the dock.

Long story short, the Racor fills quickly with a pinkish liquid that turns milky when it hits sea water. My tank is aluminum and is apprx 5-7 years old. I filled the tank last Monday.

I changed the Racor this morning after all this happened and although it continues to fill quickly, everything seems fine. I ran in circles for a 30 minutes or so and it runs as if nothing is wrong.

WTF?  Bad Racor? Ethanol?

[jdupree]

I have a similar problem.  When I went out last time it seemed like my motor was starving for fuel.  It would not open up all the way and once I got it on plane for about 2 minutes it bogged down and cut off.  I checked the water/fuel sep.  Noticed I had gas going to the water/fuel sep. but none going to the motor.  I guess it plugged up When this happened I bypassed the water/fuel sep. and tried to crank it and it wouldn't hit a lick.  Ended up having to be towed in :cry: Do my carbs need to be pulled and cleaned or just check the fuel filter and give it a try I didn't know if the water/fuel sep. could have clogged up my carbs

Any suggestions would be appreciated.  Thanks,

John

[Tailgunner]

John,
How was your motor idling? Did it idle fine and then die under load?

After mine died, it would barely idle. Since I replaced the Racor it "seems" fine. Now of course I'm nervous.

[jdupree]

It seemed to idle good.  I just couldn't get it to open up.  When I would give it gas it just acted like it needed more and would bog down and stall out.  At that point I noticed that I had no gas coming from the water/fuel sep. to the motor.

[Tailgunner]

You said you bypassed the Racor and still no fuel? If that is the case, it may be the fuel line.

Try bypassing the Racor and priming the bulb. If no fuel gets to bulb, there is something else going on besides the Racor Fuel/Water seperator.

I want to know what that pink crap is in my fuel.........

[Tailgunner]

Did I mention today is my first day out of bed all weekend? I'm going home. I can barely talk. No sense giving what I got to everyone here.

[jdupree]

Once I bypassed the water/fuel sep. the bulb did tighten up but I could never get the motor started again.  It was very hot that day so I didn't try it long.  Should I pull the carbs and clean

I wish I had some suggestions for you, but if you are up and running that is great :!:

[laflelx]

Thanks for all the good info !  I think my next move is to disconnect the inline fuel filter, pump the bulb and see if I am getting fuel on the down stream side of the filter.  Maybe the line is plugged.  The guy at West Marine said he has customers in all day buying filters and fuel additives.

Tailgunner,
How's the fishing been around the Islands.  I'm out of Waquoit Bay.  We had a great day over on the east side of the Vineyard until the engine cut out.  Caught a bunch of big blues on light tackle.  I was hoping to try Quicks hole next weekend.

[Tailgunner]

My mechanic asked me NOT to use additives for my 2 stroke. He said he sees more issues from additives than anything else. Of course, your mileage may vary......

I checked my manual and it said can use "up to 10% ethanol". Here in MA that's what we're getting, 10%.

I'm going to buy several inline filters and another Racor and keep them onboard.

Fishing has been good. I hear Quick's and Robinson's are producing good sized Stripahs pre-dawn or at night. This time of year I like enticing them out of the rocks just before dawn. Blues are everywhere.

[laflelx]

So this is what I've tried so far.  I disconnected the fuel line after the in-line filter.  Then pumped the ball and found that I had great flow through the water separating filter and in-line filter. (Replaced them both anyway) I removed the spark plugs.  The ends of the plugs were dark in color and a bit oily.  I cleaned them up so they were shinny again.  I'm not sure what fouled plugs look like but could this have been the cause of my engine problems?  I can't seem to find any fuel blockage.

[Tailgunner]

So, is it running again?

I ran around last night for a couple of hours and I'm happy to report that replacing the Racor filter seems to have done the trick.

[laflelx]

I haven't run it yet.  I hope to get it in the water tonight.  I wanted to spend the time this afternoon changeing out some of the fuel lines that are showing some ware.  I definately have not found a smoking gun.  If the boat runs well, I'll have to assume it was the plugs.  (I hope the fix is that easy but thats not the way my luck runs)

[Tailgunner]

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Napa carries Racor filters under their own brand. $10. Worst Marine wants $23.