Fuel line problem

[iggyw1]

I have a 1983 35 H.P. Johnson outboard motor. Today was the first time I used it on my aluminum 14 boat. It started great, ran perfect and I was getting a good speed at about 3/4 throttle. It was running perfect and all of a sudden the motor just quit!! The primer ball was sucked 100% collapsed, and I could do nothing with it. I removed the ball and blew into the gas line at the discharge end back into the tank, thinking the pick-up tube or screen was plugged solid. I believe it was as after I "backwashed" this pick-up tube by blowing into it with my mouth, and replaced the ball, the motor ran fine again. Are there ANY other reasons which may have caused the ball to collapse 100% the way it did? Is a plugged screen or pick-up tube the only reason that could cause this? I am assuming it was the pick-up screen which was plugged but just wondering if this was the only thing that could cause the ball to collapse the way it did? The gas tank had 4 gallons of old gas in it & I added two gallons of fresh gas today to fill it up.

I am going to pour the gas out into a different fuel tank thru a filter, and check the bottom of the original gas tank to make sure it is clean before putting the filtered gas back into it.
Any thoughts on this? Thanks!

 

[Crosbyman]

i fit sucked out the gas from the primer bulb ... no new gas was entering from the tank...try a different tank, clean the pick tube/filter or change the hose on trial (borrow one if need be)

 

[Chris1956]

A collapsed primer bulb usually occurs because the fuel tank is not venting. Pop open the fuel cap and see if the refills. if so, clean the vent.

 

[iggyw1]

A collapsed primer bulb usually occurs because the fuel tank is not venting. Pop open the fuel cap and see if the refills. if so, clean the vent.

i fit sucked out the gas from the primer bulb ... no new gas was entering from the tank...try a different tank, clean the pick tube/filter or change the hose on trial (borrow one if need be)

Thanks to both of you guys. I am all set now I believe. I have replaced the fuel line coming out of the tank, checked the pickup tube and filter at the end of it (like new), & the fitting on the tank (like new), filtered the fuel into another tank (it was clean, nothing in it except 2 cycle oil), and I added an additional fuel filter inline before the ball. I also ordered a new gas cap to be sure I have one that vents. Right now, I just left the cap loose on the tank and the motor is running perfect again in my driveway on muffs. I blew the vent hole out with my air compressor, but really could not tell if it did anything to be honest, as air blew out all over the place 'cuz the hole on the underside of the cap is so tiny. Cheap insurance to just buy a new cap.

 

[cyclops222]

If you get another shutdon like you had. Again ? You may have a BLOB of junk rolling around in the tank.

 

[airshot]

You might try adding an inline fuel filter to your fuel line. With today's scrappy fuels, I add all the filters I can ! Easier than cleaning a carb !! I typically give my portable tanks a good cleaning at the start of each season.

 

[Chris1956]

All fuel filters cause restriction of the fuel supply. Restriction in the fuel system can cause lean running which can easily damage an engine. A single water separator is best, as they are capable of 20 gal/hr or more.

 

[iggyw1]

If you get another shutdon like you had. Again ? You may have a BLOB of junk rolling around in the tank.

Thanks for the suggestion of what to look out for, however, I had a very close, good view of the inside of the empty tank when we filtered the gas into a separate gas tank. The gas tank I have on the boat is red plastic, and I can see very well into it thru the filler hole when it was empty and there is (was) absolutely nothing inside the tank. It looks brand new inside the fuel tank I am using on the boat.

 

[iggyw1]

You might try adding an inline fuel filter to your fuel line. With today's scrappy fuels, I add all the filters I can ! Easier than cleaning a carb !! I typically give my portable tanks a good cleaning at the start of each season.

Thanks for your input, however, as I sated in post #4, I did add in inline filter to the fuel line already for the reasons that you mentioned.

 

[iggyw1]

All fuel filters cause restriction of the fuel supply. Restriction in the fuel system can cause lean running which can easily damage an engine. A single water separator is best, as they are capable of 20 gal/hr or more.

Thanks. I had a water separator on my old boat that I got rid of. Worked great, especially after I got a lot of water in my gas tank when I had the filler cap off one time in error when I washed the boat! On this little boat that I bought, I just added a small inline clear filter that will not restrict the gas flow enough to cause any concern I don't think. If it stops the fuel flow enough to cause a problem I would say it did it's job. LOL

 

[airshot]

Get a good fuel filter, no cheap Chinesuim filters, the restrictions on good ones are so minor you will never notice. Tests on fuel filter flows have been going on for years, no longer an issue unless it us clogged up. Most have a flow rating, mine is way higher than my motor requirements.

 

[iggyw1]

Get a good fuel filter, no cheap Chinesuim filters, the restrictions on good ones are so minor you will never notice. Tests on fuel filter flows have been going on for years, no longer an issue unless it us clogged up. Most have a flow rating, mine is way higher than my motor requirements.

Thanks. The filter I used for my motor is an inline 10 micron filter made by Seachoice. I could not find a flow rate of this filter, but I do not think it is small enough to restrict the demand of my 35 H.P. Johnson outboard (unless it is clogged). It is made of clear glass so I can see inside of it at a glance & inspect it whenever I want to when I'm out fishing. I did not order any extra filter elements with it (just didn't think of it), but I am going to order one so I will have a spare & I can swamp them quickly on the lake if need be.

 

[saltchuckmatt]

After I installed a (thread on filter), I removed the pickup screen all together.

Never.... ever, had a problem again.

Oxams razor!

 

[cyclops222]

I have to think about removing the veryfine screen on the metal 6 gallon tanks. I had no slime or crud in any of my 6 metal tanks. With 2 seperate fuel tanks and all have same tank connectors. I can do a tank problem check quickly.

 

[saltchuckmatt]

I have to think about removing the veryfine screen on the metal 6 gallon tanks. I had no slime or crud in any of my 6 metal tanks. With 2 seperate fuel tanks and all have same tank connectors. I can do a tank problem check quickly.

Yes that works but to each his own.