Fuel Line (?) Pro Sport FF1600

I've concluded that my fuel line has an issue somewhere between the fill up and where it exits to connect to the engine.

After I've been running the boat for a bit it would start acting like it was being starved of fuel and would eventually die. I noticed the inline ball was starting to deflate (flatten out from suction?). So I replaced the ball, it seemed old and shot, but this didn't solve my problem.

Using a mechanics grade air compressor I blew air into the fuel line at the rear of the boat hoping to blow any debris that may be in a screen in the tank etc. We removed the fuel cap (fill up location at the front of the boat) to listen or feel the air. No signs of air making it all the way to the fill up. I could hear the fuel line being charged under the compressed air and vibrating on the hole. This led me to believe I have a bent hose or a bad clog. I then blew air into where you fill up the boat w/ fuel and immediately felt air coming from a vent on the side of the boat just under the fuel fill up hole.

This problem is intermittent, some days I can run fine and other days it's a real PITA. When I fuel the boat up before getting on the water I've noticed that some times it's VERY difficult to get the boat to except fuel. The gas pump constantly cuts off as if the tank is full (which it is not). On mornings like this, I'm always fighting to keep fuel to the engine and it's a miserable day on the water.

My stupid logic tells me it's time to change the fuel line. It's either clogged or has a kink in it. Possible got weak with age. It's a 1994, so it's seen a few years. This boat has little to no access to the fuel tank. One very small round access hole between the tank and the side you would fill up the tank. I've figured out the gas line runs on the opposite side. I'm going to have to cut a hole in the boat in order to change the fuel line.

My questions are:

1) Do you agree w/ the fuel line needing changed?
2) Any suggestions on where to cut the hole? (I'd like to change the sending unit to get the fuel gauge to work at the same time)
3) Any way to get a schematic of the boat within the hole?

I'm sorry for the long post, any help will be greatly appreciated!

Re: Fuel Line (?) Pro Sport FF1600

There should be a one way valve (anti-siphon) where the fuel line comes out of the tank. That's why you didn't get any air coming into the tank.

Its common for the valve to get gummed up and hang causing the symptoms you describe. I would check the condtion of the valve before doing anything else

Re: Fuel Line (?) Pro Sport FF1600

dingbat said:

There should be a one way valve (anti-siphon) where the fuel line comes out of the tank. That's why you didn't get any air coming into the tank.

Its common for the valve to get gummed up and hang causing the symptoms you describe. I would check the condtion of the valve before doing anything else

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I'm guessing the fuel line will exit the tank (with valve) near the bottom of the tank on the opposite side as the fill up line? I'm really hoping to be able to make a very educated guess on where to cut a hole and to only have to cut ONE hole...

Re: Fuel Line (?) Pro Sport FF1600

Hi you need to lose the Avatar it is family sight

But generaly the BIG fill line, vent and anti-spihon valve will be very close toghter in the rear of the tank

Re: Fuel Line (?) Pro Sport FF1600

tommays said:

Hi you need to lose the Avatar it is family sight

Click to expand...

Will do. I don't want to offend any one

But generaly the BIG fill line, vent and anti-spihon valve will be very close toghter in the rear of the tank

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So, the anti-siphon valve is inline w/ the big fill line leading to the tank or the smaller line leading away from the tank towards the engine?

Re: Fuel Line (?) Pro Sport FF1600

The valve "should be " the first thing on the fuel tank were the motor fuel line connects


I guess anything is possable and while they generaly make it hard to get to the compleat tank the 3 fuel connections are usally acessable without making any holes

Re: Fuel Line (?) Pro Sport FF1600

tommays said:

The valve "should be " the first thing on the fuel tank were the motor fuel line connects


I guess anything is possable and while they generaly make it hard to get to the compleat tank the 3 fuel connections are usally acessable without making any holes

Click to expand...

There are two access points. One is between the fill up and the tank, which doesn't allow access to the line leading to the engine and it's so small it really doesn't allow access to that line. The other is in a hatch on the bow side of the tank. When you open this access point there is a solid piece of plywood running verticle across the width of the boat (stringer maybe?) with only a little hole with a couple of wires going through it. I'm guessing i don't want to cut into the structural piece of wood.