what's with my fuel system???

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rick peacock

If someone may have an answer, it would be greatly appreciated. I have a Catalina 30 w/ a 25XP universal engine. When I try to put fuel in it, it will only take approx. 1/2 gal. It also comes out of the vent line. The fuel gauge says full as does the sensor on the fuel tank. If I bleed the system, it will run for approx. 45 minutes. I can always get it started when I bleed the system, but again, it will always quit in the time indicated. I have traced all the lines and when I start to loosen up on the vent line, fuel starts to seep out, so I retighten it back up. Could it be the vent line is clogged creating a vacuum or maybe the fuel pump, although it seems to work fine. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Rick
 
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Allen Schweitzer

Not sure what you're asking, but....

Not sure what you're asking, but....it seems like your engine quits after 45 minutes of running. You say you have your fuel vent closed, but fuel leaks out when you open it? The vent line definitely needs to be open for the engine to be able to draw fuel. It may be that you overfilled your tank so that the fuel leaks out the vent, but it stalls once enough vaccuum is generated from 45 minutes of use. I'd recommend running the engine with the fill cap loosened so that you can draw enough fuel to lower the fuel level in the tank. With the cap loose, the vaccuum won't have a chance to be created. Once the fuel level is far enough down, you should be able to open the fuel vent without any fuel being released. Just a guess...let us know how it works out! Allen Schweitzer s/v Drambuie C-30 Hull# 632
 
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rick peacock

fuel system

thanks Allen, I'll try that and see if that could be the problem. I'll let you know, rick
 
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rick peacock

fuel system

no, I did not say that I have the vent line in a closed position, I'm just saying that it comes out of the vent when I fill her, but quits running after about 45 minutes. I beleive that the answer is the correct fix which I will try as soon as my boat is back in the water, ( bottom job ). thanks, rick
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,085
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Fuel

Also suggest that you check the filter in the bottom of the fuel pump. Catalina used to pipe the fuel supply from the tank to the fuel pump and then to the Racor. Backwards of course. If the fuel pump filter is clogged, it may be a source of your problems.
 
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