fuel problem

[Dave Ball]

Hope someone can give advice to a new Hunter owner with an old boat (1982 31'). Had a bad fuel problem within a few months after getting the boat and had the marina drain the tank. However am now trying to bleed the fuel line and the fuel will not run down through the fuel line although I can blow air back up through the line and hear it bubble in the fuel tank. I can get a little fuel thru the line but not much- not a steady stream. Does it make sense that the line would not be so blocked that I could blow air through it yet the fuel will still not come down thru the gravity feed line to the engine? Maybe the marina didn't drain it completely and left some gunk in the bottom of the tank? What should I do next? In looking at other postings it appears bad fuel is a problem others have had. Thanks.

 

[gary]

primer

try adding a fuel blub primer like they use on outboards.This makes priming the fuel system very easy.

 

[Sanders LaMont]

might be gunk

If you have an inspection port on the tank, take a look with a strong light. If no port, maybe the fuel gauge can be removed for a look. If fuel sits for a long time it can and often does put some junk in the bottom of the tank. It sounds like you are picking up some sort of trash or thick stuff. Check all your filters first.If you find a bunch if stuff, check the archives for fuel scrubbing solutions, or, worst case, be prepared to pay significant bucks to have the tank scrubbed.S.

 

[Pat McCartin]

David,

The fuel pick up isn't gravity feed. It needs suction to work. Then it sets up a siphon and continues to flow to the engine.On that 31 the tank is in the Stbd locker, up on a shelf in the rear. Then it flows to the Fram filter on the bulkhead in the locker, next is on to the engine lift pump. This is where the suction is created, the the secondary filter and finnaly the injesctor pump. That ends our tour of the low pressure fuel system for today....Anyway, you can hear bubbles because your pressurizing the the hose and pick up. Pat McCartinInland Marine DieselBuford, Gaimd_ga@hotmail.com

 

[ed]

try the vent

You may have a clogged vent line. wasps love to build nests in the vent line and when it is blocked or obscured its hard to get fuel out of the tank. no air is getting in. and easy way to check too it to leave the fill cap off and try it. If you have flow then the vent is probably not letting in air.