Fuel pickup problem...

[Bigbob123]

I have a '99 Starcraft Starfire 170, great boat until last fall, I have had occasional starting problems involving the primer bulb and holding pressure. I replaced the primer bulb and line, I still can't build any pressure or pump the primer bulb to firm. If I can get the fuel line from the tank off, what should I find, a screen on the end of a fuel line, or ??? Starcraft doesn't have great technical support for a 20+year old boat. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Bob

 

[racerone]

Screen on the end could be plugged.----Or pick-up tube might be cracked or have a hole in it.

 

[roscoe]

Remove the fuel line.
Unscrew and remove the pick up tube.

Here is a photo of a flexible tube, some are rigid.
Rigid one has to be the correct length. Flexible ones will lay flat across the bottom of the tank.

 

[Bigbob123]

I hope this goes through, as if 4-18 we have begun having problems with our email, anyways the picture is great, kind of what I thought it might look like. I will attempt to remove the stubborn fuel line at the top of the tank and get the fuel line and screen out. Are those common to purchase, and where? It's also tough to work on here in MN, it's still winter here. Thanks for the help!

Bob

 

[Bigbob123]

I hope this goes through, as if 4-18 we have begun having problems with our email, anyways the picture is great, kind of what I thought it might look like. I will attempt to remove the stubborn fuel line at the top of the tank and get the fuel line and screen out. Are those common to purchase, and where? It's also tough to work on here in MN, it's still winter here. Thanks for the help!

Bob

 

[roscoe]

They sell several different sizes/types right here in the iboats store.

Moeller Fuel Pick-Up, Aluminum PL3 Elbow, 24"

A Moeller fuel withdrawal pickup tube assembly for diesel and gasoline withdrawal. Aluminum construction, 1/4" NPT female port withdrawal head. It accepts all NPT male fitting to complete your fuel system. Withdrawal tube is manufactured from Nylon 6/6 that is formulated for today's ethanol...

www.iboats.com

 

[Chris1956]

Some fuel pickups have a screen under the pickup tube. The pickup tube unscrews, exposing the screen.

Some pickup tubes have an aluminum tube with a rubber tube on the very end, with a screen on it's end.

There are likely other types as well.

Most pickup tubes have an antisiphon valve built into or screwed into the elbow fitting. These can get clogged and stuck. Their purpose is to seal the fuel pickup, until the fuel pump creates enough vacuum to open them, and release the fuel. This is a safety feature.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

I hope this goes through, as if 4-18 we have begun having problems with our email, anyways the picture is great, kind of what I thought it might look like. I will attempt to remove the stubborn fuel line at the top of the tank and get the fuel line and screen out. Are those common to purchase, and where? It's also tough to work on here in MN, it's still winter here. Thanks for the help!

Bob

I hear you on the MN part I am in central MN boat is still in storage but defiantly dealing with the same issue as you with a built in tank.

 

[Bigbob123]

Well IMO boat is going to a shop, I got a 1 1/4" wrench to fit large bolt(brass) holding fuel line and filter into tank, sprayed it with WD40 hit with a hammer, all attempts to help loosen it put wrench on it, and it felt like it was moving. NO... it didn't budge it at all. Hit with the hammer a couple of more times, tried again...NOPE, not moving at all, starting to strip. I'm done...of to the shop, I've tried multiple times, no more. Thanks for the help.
Bob

 

[Chris1956]

Might be simpler to replace the fuel tank. It sounds like yours is steel. Those have not been used since the 70's

 

[Bigbob123]

Thanks for reply. The tank is plastic, built into the bottom of the boat. Some how it will get fixed!

 

[Chris1956]

OK, plastic tanks sometimes do not have threaded fittings. They are welded into the tank.

 

[Bigbob123]

OK, plastic tanks sometimes do not have threaded fittings. They are welded into the tank.

That doesn't sound good...

 

[Chris1956]

My plastic tank needed to have the vent and pickup switched. The pickup unscrewed, but the vent was pressed into a alum. sleeve. I was able to drill it out and thread the sleeve. I was able to then switch the fittings.

 

[nola mike]

My plastic tank needed to have the vent and pickup switched. The pickup unscrewed, but the vent was pressed into a alum. sleeve. I was able to drill it out and thread the sleeve. I was able to then switch the fittings.

(Boat mfg design meeting): "I have an idea! After we make it impossible to replace a $10 part, let's put the whole tank under a fiberglass deck! Then they'll need to buy another boat!" *Board murmurs approval, designer gets promotion*