Maidin Voyage not so good

[Seif911]

Good Morn' All,
So my maiden voyage was not really that good at all. The engines idle great. I got to the harbor mouth with the whole family, hit the throttle on the engines, we went maybe 100' and both engines died suddenly. Uggg!!! We were just outside of the harbor mouth and had to drop anchor.

Early that day I had to get gas, seemed ok but the gas never was close to the vent. It came up the fill hole. Thinking about that and then pulling the gas line off while we were sitting there, I found there was no gas. I looked at the vent line and it went from the gas tank, down to the floor and then back out. Hmmm....not good. I pulled the vent off, full of gas, routed the line straight up then back down the the actual vent. Had to drive back and drop off the kids that were sick from the 3 footers out there. Went back out, hit the gas and died again! Only the port engine this time.

So I suspect it is a fuel filter problem. Now I have a problem because I cannot find replacement fuel filters. They are SMI 'SMF-911' fuel filters. Anyone have any ideas where to get these from?

[waybomb]

I would start with the venting system. Check the screens on the vents. If the screens are missing, I would bet you have old bug nests in the vent fitting or hoses.

Change your fuel filters. Both the ones at the carbs and the water separator units. I always carry two of each and a wrench for the bowl filter. You boat was sitting for a while, right? You really need to keep fuel filters on hand.

You should also check to see if your tanks have anti-siphon valves. If so, replace them as well.

Is there BoatUS towing represented in Sheboygan? If so, join BoatUS and get their unlimited towing. Especially when bring an older neglected boat back to life!

[Seif911]

Trying to get the fuel filters, just can't find them yet. I will replace them and keep someon hand for sure. I can't find any towing in Sheboygan except for the Coast Guard.

How do you find the anti-siphon valves? Are they In the lines at the tank?

[waybomb]

For what the antisiphon valve looks, here's an ebay link that has a few types.http://www.ebay.com/sch/items/?_nkw=anti+siphon+valve+boat&_sacat=&_ex_kw=&_mPrRngCbx=1&_udlo=&_udhi=&_sop=12&_fpos=&_fspt=1&_sadis=&LH_CAds=

It is screwed into the outlet fitting on the fuel tank. So you'll have the threaded bung of the tank, then what looks like a fitting or an adapter (this is the antisiphon valve) and then your fuel hose.

As for your filter, I tried a search, and found a bunch of filters for a 911 Porsche, but not smf-911. Amsoil markets some filters called SMF filters, but couldn't find yours.

I guess the best bet is to remove the adapter and bring it to an auto parts store in an attempt to find a replacement. Does it have a water separator on the bottom? If not, you may want to find some regular marine fuel filter/water separator combination filters and install those.

[Seif911]

Hmmm...I will definitely be replacing those valves. The starboard side seems to be letting the gas drop back to the tank. I had to add gas to the carb multiple times to start it. Just have to get to the boat to get the size.

Ya...I was kind if thinking the same thing. I might need to replace the whole thing for a combo filter/water separator. I had a mass water problem in the gas already. Who knows, I may still have a problem? I had to remove a gallon or 2 of water from it when I 1st started it.

[waybomb]

Do you have Quadrajet carbs? A well known problem is fuel bowl leaking through a poorly fitted plug on the bottom. You can search the net for the fix, but you will have to take the carb off to do the repair.

[Seif911]

Not sure what carb is on. I pulled the fuel filters tonight and found tons of water and varnish. I'm sure hitting the throttle a little made it pull some of the bad gas into the engine. We'll see!

[waybomb]

In your photos you posted in another thread - looks like Quadrajet to me.
Probably should buy a couple of rebuild kits and a couple of cans of gumout and take them apart!

[Seif911]

I am hoping that is the last resort...just a time thing. To your point, I should have the carb cleaner on board for emergency use at min.