ran her out of fuel & now she ain't running right

[dogdoc2006]

I have a 115 hp evinrude ficht outboard on a 17' mirrocraft boat with an in boat plastic fuel tank.

I ran the tank empty last week. I trolled to shore and had someone bring me some gas. After I added the gas I had to pump the bulb a loooong time before it finally firmed up. After that the engine doesn't seem to be getting enough fuel. I can idle and drive at slow speed but when I go to full throttle I only go about a 100 yards before the engine misses a few times and stalls. At that point the fuel bulb is soft and if i pump it up again the engine will start and idle just fine. The engine runs normally when it's running.

Initially I thought I had gotten water in the fuel line but the perfect idleing doesn't seem to go along with that. I called a marina and they thought I may have a clogged fuel filter. Would the bulb soften up if the fuel filter is partially plugged? Is there a fuel filter between the tank and the fuel bulb? Anyone have any ideas?

I am planning on picking up a new fuel filter and install it asap, anyone have any pointers?

 

[KYHunter2]

Re: ran her out of fuel & now she ain't running right

Do you have the vent open?

Could be a bad check valve in the bulb.

A clogged filter, can definately cause fuel flow problems.

As far as, is there a filter, look and see.

If not, you need one, preferrably a water seperator fuel filter.

Also there's, whats called an anti siphon valve on most permanent tanks.

Its a ball and spring located in the fitting on the tank.

If you have it, IMHO, the best thing to do is take the ball, spring out , and close your eyes, and sling them as far as possible. LOL

KYHunter

 

[AlanR]

Re: ran her out of fuel & now she ain't running right

when you run it out of gas sometimes if theres crud on the bottom of the tank it sucks up the crud and dirtys up your carb. Id clean your carbs.

 

[dogdoc2006]

Re: ran her out of fuel & now she ain't running right

Thanks for the thoughts guys. A few responses as near as I know, (I'm no expert).

The engine is fuel injected and has a water seperator within it. The check engine light isn't on, for what that's worth. The marina guy thought that those things would cause a indicator light to go off.

My question about whether there is a filter was really asking whether or not their is one INSIDE the tank, which I think would be very hard to look and see.

That's all I can think of, If it's not the fuel filter I guess she going to the shop.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: ran her out of fuel & now she ain't running right

The fuel pickup in the tank has a screen on the end and may very well be partially clogged. Also the primer buib will not stay firm with a running engine since fuel is being "drawn" through it. However, if there was a clog between the pickup in the tank and the primer bulb, the bulb would be sucked flat. Since that's not happening, at least some fuel is being drawn but the pickup may still be partially plugged. Try running the engine on a portable tank. If it then seems ok, the on-board tank is the problem.

 

[dogdoc2006]

Re: ran her out of fuel & now she ain't running right

UPDATE: Well I changed the fuel filter this afternoon (no easy task mind you). That didn't help at all. Finally my neighbor, who has been watching me fart around with this motor for days, brings me a can of sea foam and suggests to give it a try. I wasn't sure how much fuel I had in my tank so I idled about 3 miles to the nearest resort for a fill up. Lo and behold a few minutes of idling and she took right off! So I guess it was either bad gas (gas was fresh from kwik trip) or something sea foam takes care of (moisture?).

Thanks for the ideas guys. Live and learn I guess. Sometimes the simple fixes are the best.

I think I owe my neighbor a 12 pack, maybe a case.

 

[mcallan]

Re: ran her out of fuel & now she ain't running right

I see that you have it fixed which is good. But definately those fichts love to have new fuel/water seperators every year, and especially if the check engine light comes on. Mike

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: ran her out of fuel & now she ain't running right

UPDATE: Well I changed the fuel filter this afternoon (no easy task mind you). That didn't help at all. Finally my neighbor, who has been watching me fart around with this motor for days, brings me a can of sea foam and suggests to give it a try. I wasn't sure how much fuel I had in my tank so I idled about 3 miles to the nearest resort for a fill up. Lo and behold a few minutes of idling and she took right off! So I guess it was either bad gas (gas was fresh from kwik trip) or something sea foam takes care of (moisture?).

Thanks for the ideas guys. Live and learn I guess. Sometimes the simple fixes are the best.

I think I owe my neighbor a 12 pack, maybe a case.

I think you owe him a case and a trip in the boat !!!!!