fuel was issue

[msginny]

After aborting tuna trip 3 weeks ago due to engine malfunction I feel the need to inform about problem so that it might not happen to others.
Due to medical operation in Nov. I only used boat once in Dec (christmas time) and put 30-40 gallons in tank in anticipation of running from Back creek to CBBT and back. Didn't go that far so 30ish gallons left in tank. Mid march comes and weater looks great so fill tank to go to OI.....WELL....believing you have a 10 micron filter and having one is a problem (believed mechanic)....original fuel had gone bad, although motor started OK in yard the night before and at OI the next morning, I only made it 12 miles or so outside before carbs got clogged with debris......Adding fresh 40+ gallons to old fuel doesn't correct old fuel issue in tank like I had done before (pre ethanol)....Older model engine (1998) probably had some buildup of "stuff" in system which ethanol has cleaned out.
Remedy....all old fuel pumped out of tank (should be fun to refill!!)....carbs cleaned, fuel lines cleaned, new plugs, new 10 micron filter......running great I'm told.....will field test soon to regain confidence in engine (which has always been a great one, no major problems before)
So guys....watch leaving a lot of fuel in tank.....as it could cause some issues later.
Thankfully for me the wind has been blowing to ease the pain

Duane
Ms Ginny
20' cc Grady White

[TommyTuna]

i wonder if the Startron, Ezorb and similar type products prevent that.

[Capt Bob]

treating the fuelk should have prevented that problem, I had a 197 gal tank in my Proline and kept various amounts of fuel in the tank, always put some stabile AND two bottles of Dry Gas in tank and never had any problems...this was pre e-10 times so the alcohol I put in probably kept a lot of junk from forming...no e -10 down here as yet...

[capt_ben]

Duane,
Glad you got the problem fixed.Could have been worse!

Capt_Ben

[msginny]

Yea Ben....I was expecting worse....just never been in habit of adding stabilizers and such...will now though...It certainly couldn't have hurt...old habits are hard to break sometimes
You thinking about going early next week??? If I get a test run and everything goes OK I'll be looking at going if weather cooperates.....I've spent enough towing boat to OI (twice) and engine repair.....that I'm due to have a good trip (hopefully sooner than later!!)
Duane

[b8 boy]

I pulled the fuel filters on both sides, replaced the mounts so I could put the longer 10 micron filters in. Mechanic said the longer filter has more surface area to keep fuel flowing and get the junk out of the fuel. Also got a spare set of filters on board in case one set gets clogged. I dont know what to do with a 204 gallon tank. I always used to fill it after each trip. Now who knows????? Martin

[Baitcatcher]

Duane,
Thanks for letting us know the outcome. I'm in a similar boat (literally) with a 1997 engine on the 208 Adventure hull. I don't think I've had e-10 in mine yet and I put PRI-G in it so I'm hoping it is ok. I didn't make a striper trip this year so mine has sat since December. After reading this it is going to get a good long run on the local lake to make sure all is good. Sorry you had the issues but I'm glad to hear you are back up and running. Catch a bunch when you go.

Doug

[msginny]

Martin.....I too had spare filters onboard....was advised that if motor sounded like it was starving for fuel....filter may be clogged, stop and replace.....It was too late in my case...I changed filter once problem arose but carbs already clogged
Duane

[DAWGONIT]

Thanks for the info.

I think the rule of thumb now on fill ups is approx 30 days to use it all up? Anyone else heard similar.

I've been using the Statron since we switched over to the E10 here in Va. Beach since last summer. The only debacle I experienced was that the GENSET fuel was not filtered through a fuel/water separator and it killed that carb which had to be replaced. I have since then added the fuel/water separator to that fuel line too.

Thanks again for the info.
Evan.

[alhamilton]

Duane, glad you have strieghtened out and have better luck next time hope to go out within the next few weeks but turkey season is in,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,LEON