fuel problems

[rigor31]

hello everyone, i wanted to see if anyone else had this problem. i own a AS osprey 200 with a 175 mariner outboard. The boat had been sitting for two years so i took it to my mechanic and he rebuilt the carbs, cleaned out the fuel tanks rebuilt the fuel pump and replaced all the fuel lines. I took it out on the water with fresh fuel and she would run good and then run out of fuel. After trying several things, he suggested we put an electric fuel pump along with the manual, any suggestions?
http://i1261.photobucket.com/albums/ii5 ... one194.jpg

[Blue Agave]

You mentioned that all the fuel lines were changed, did you replace the fuel bulb?  How about the vent, is it clear?

[rigor31]

yes sir, replaced the bulb and cleaned out the vent, but still had the problem the bulb was collapsing. I really don't know what is causing the problem.

[Capt Matt]

sounds like its not vented right or it could be a bad bulb, or bulb is backwards,
Try running it on a plastic portable tank that will narrow it down
Capt Matt

[seabob4]

As has been said above.  My money is on the vent or vent hose.  As far as what Matt said about the bulb, ALL bulbs have an arrow on them indicating direction of fuel flow...obviously towards the engine...

[rigor31]

thanks, to all of you for the advice i will double check the lines and the direction of the bulb.

[Skoot]

yes sir, replaced the bulb and cleaned out the vent, but still had the problem the bulb was collapsing. I really don't know what is causing the problem.

Im having flashbacks.   I've had very similar problems as you with my fuel/fuel tank .  From the above Im 97% sure the problem is from the fuel bulb back to the tank.  The fuel pump is obviously working, since its collapsing/ trying to suck out any fuel in the bulb. Did the mechanic remove all the fuel, or polish and replace it?  My guess is there's some leftover debris from the cleaning and its either clogging the Dam Anti-siphon valve or your fuel filter or both.  Get a few extra filters and keep them on-board to change out when the problem occurs/they become clogged.  I would also check if the fuel tank has a "Dam Anti-Siphon Valve" on it (fitz will attest to this).  If so take it off and replace it with a regular one.

[seabob4]

Good point on the "anti-siphon", Scott.  All tanks from the manufacturers are shipped with anti-siphon pickups as they don't know whether the tank is going to be used in an I/O (required) application, or an O/B (not required) application.  Covers their asses.  Worst sells straight pickups by Sierra dirt cheap.  Swap them out...

Hah, ONE thing Worst does OK...  

[rigor31]

thanks i would like to know your opinion on the electric fuel pump idea.

[seabob4]

thanks i would like to know your opinion on the electric fuel pump idea.

Rigor,
The problem with an electric fuel pump is finding one that is ignition proof...

[slvrlng]

Since your motor runs fine and then sucks the bulb flat I don't think an electric fuel pump will make any difference. You have a fuel restriction somewhere. Like everybody else said, It might be a anti-siphon problem, but after sitting for 2 years my bet is you have some varnish or trash built up on the pickup in the tank. You need to run your motor on a portable tank and see if this helps. If it does help then I would pull the pickup and see if the screen is clogged. I had a boat 25 years ago that had sat for a long time and it had collected crap in the tank. It would crank at the dock and run really nice until you hit the first wave and then all the crud in there would get stirred up and it would clog the filters and shut it down. Don't waste your money on a fuel pump until you have run this thing on a portable tank.

[wingtime]

I agree 100% with the advise so far.  Don't spend $$$$ on a fuel pump just find what is causing the restriction.  That would be just a band aid fix.  One way to rule out a plugged vent line is crack the fill cap when the bulb is sucked flat.  If it is a restricted vent line opening the cap will release the vacuum and allow fuel to flow.  (don't run it with the cap cracked though)

[rigor31]

thanks guys these are great tips i appreiciate all your inputs and hope we can meet someday.

[Blue Agave]

You mentioned that you cleaned out the vent, just the exterior?  A new stainless vent wouldn't hurt.  Another test would be to remove the vent hose from the vent and see if that corrects the problem.

[Group W Bench]

There is a check ball in the brass nipple coming off your fuel pickup. Sometimes, if it get's corroded, it can stick and cause the ball to collapse from restricted fuel flow. An easy test is to take a punch and knock the little ball out of the barb. If that solves the problem, replace the barb. Additionally, if your pickup is not metal, but the plastic kind, after time it can slide down the metal pickup fitting and cause restricted flow at the bottom of the tank. A simple test is to pull the pickup and trim a little bit of the pickup tube in order to get a tight fit on the metal pickup fitting at the top of your tank.

While you are checking the direction of flow from your fuel ball, also check the orientation. If the outflow is too high relative to inflow side, it can cause a problem with the internal checks. However, this typically results in not being able to pump the ball initially. Still worth checking.