R25 fuel tank pickup screen question

[rrobson1977]

Somebody help!
Alright!!!
I started not being able to get above 2000 RPM on a yanmar 125hp with new filters :evil:
Boat runs like a champ when hooked to an external tank. I drained the fuel tank and I think I have traced a fuel issue down to a clogged pickup screen.
When I take suction on the pickup I can't get much out of the pickup. When I blow back the pickup the boat runs like a champ and then drops back off again (clogging back up)
I cut a beautiful access hatch to get at the pickup, but for gods sakes how do you get the pickup and screen out. :cry:
I have posted some picks of the setup to show you what I mean, when I unscrew the pickup it will not come all the way out!

I hope someone can give me some guidance because I am lost. Any more fustration and I may just cut this thing as low as I can and let the screen drop. 🙁

 

[tugnnaweigh]

Yeah, I just went through the exact same thing! The crimp that holds the screen on and the screen itself are slightly larger than the hose, so when you pull the hose out far enough that the crimp is contacting the threads on the inside of the tank start (and don't stop) turning the hose counterclockwise, this will cause the crimp and screen to engage the threads and "unscrew" their' way out of the tank! Reach down the hole you made so you get a good grip on the hose as close to the threads on the tank connector as you can.

Once the threads are engaged it doesn't take much pulling, just turning, the crimp and screen are brass or some other soft metal and will engage the threads just fine. I found it to be a surprisingly soft, squishable hose for a suction application but that worked fine for me, both coming out and going in.

Also, in my humble opinion, if the tank's dirty enough to clog the screen that quickly it's imperative you not run the boat in the new, un-screened condition before you have the tank cleaned and the fuel polished and not depend on the in line filters to filter out that amount of contamination!

By the by, my screen was not much clogged and no RPM increase was had, I'm having my ECM read to confirm it's a 150 hp programmed.

 

[SGIDAVE]

Hello Rich,

How about unscrewing the threaded insert into which the pick up itself fits? It is probably screwed into the plastic tank +/- sealant. This would allow you to remove the pickup with screen as a unit. Then deal with getting the screen cleaned over at your bench or worktable. Pick up tubing should be very rigid, so if it's soft feeling plan to replace the entire pick up tube. They are sold as a unit with the tube and threaded elbow fitting on the end. You cut the pick up tube to length for your application. Remember to cut a bevel on the end so it won't suction itself to the bottom of the fuel tank.

Nice pics and good clean work cutting the hatch hole!

Fair Winds and clean screens,

/david

 

[Crewdog]

This sounds a lot like a fuel flow problem I encountered couple years ago on a 2000 Ford Excursion diesel that I drove for Red Cross disaster communications.

There were 2 trucks that encountered this, where engine rpm's were suddenly unable to maintain speed, and after sitting for an hour or 2, would run normally for a while. One driver ignored the symptoms and entire engine had to be replaced.

Diesel tech at my local Ford dealer found dissolved pickup screen AND a fuel tank filled with an extreme amount of sludge.

These trucks sat idle most of the year, and were lucky to be started and run once a month, and goodness knows where the fuel came from over the years.

On our boat and diesel truck I've tried to be careful to only get fuel from stations or truck stops that pump a lot of diesel, and this past winter after reading knotflying's post about FPPF marine diesel fuel additive, I started adding that to the boat tank.

I think Tugnnaweigh's suggestion on draining/cleaning tank is entirely appropriate.

 

[rrobson1977]

ugg, unfortunately the screen decided to let go when I was screwing it out of the fitting.
Last bit of tank pumped out, new pickup installed fileld with 15 gals of diesel and now I'm back to 3600 RPM 😱 .
Unfortunately I now have a screen fish in my tank. With the new pickup having a mule shoe I find it hard to believe it will give me any issues down the road, but its going to annoy me because I know its in there. 🙁
Anyone have any insight or concerns I may not be thinking about?

 

[knotflying]

It all depends on how annoying it will be. I have a bore scope type camera ($79.00 Walmart) that has various tips that can be used to retrieve things. However, if it is so tight, I can't figure how you would still get it through the hole. And then there is always the option of drilling a bigger hole along side that one and now you have shavings in the tank.
Or a good stiff drink and after a couple of days you may forget about it. 🙂

 

[Levitation]

That loose screen will not cause any problems. Move on.

 

[Gratitude]

I just completed the same procedure today on my 2008 110 hp turbo. 2000 rpm top end at full throttle. The pick up hose and screen came out without effort. The screen was plugged up royal. I am surprised the engine would run. I bench cleaned the filter and I am back in business. Next time I have the inspection hole for access. Calling a mobile tank cleaner Monday. Of course I have 70 gallons on board. A kind shout out to Andrew for walking me through the process. You gotta love Ramger. Also thanks for the pictures and previous posts.

 

[BB marine]

If you remove the Tube to clean it. It is best to remove the screen. Diesel powered boats are not required to have the screen installed on the pick up tube. Most tank Manufactures install the screens as a ABYC requirement for Gas powered boats. The screens are installed to prevent debris in the tank from getting stuck in the Anti-syphon valve. Diesel powered boats do not require an anti-syphon valve. Secondly Diesel fuel tanks have a tendency overtime to build up an oily sediment and in worst case algae and a slimy build up in the tank. Having the screen in place will cause a screen fouling. The Racor filter will be more then adequate in protecting the fuel system. Many boat manufactures that build boats with Diesel power plants in them remove the screen pick-ups during the tank installation. Many don't. I removed the pick-up/screen on our 2016 C26 this year to prevent a future restriction in the fuel system for me and the next owner of the boat.

I personally would try to pull fuel off the bottom of the tank using a oil extractor pump. With a piece of tubing attached to a hose, insert the tubing thru the hole where the pick-up tube was removed allow the tubing to go to the bottom of the tank. This is where the sediment and water is laying. Start pumping the fuel into a open 5 gallon pail to inspect for water and dark oily sediment. Allow the nasty stuff to settle to the bottom of the pail. Pour the good fuel into a 6 gallon portable tank. Continue the process until you see all clean fuel. There is probably only at most 5 gallons of bad stuff in the tank. After cleaning it add an additive and check you Racor filter after a tank of fuel. You will remove a large amount of the sediment and most likely resolve your issue for a fraction of the cost of a tank cleaner. The majority of your fuel is good in the tank. Because of the tank being plastic proper cleaning is hard. There is only one small access point Fuel sender. This method described is how most tank cleaners clean plastic tanks. It is a much different process with a metal tank. Most metal diesel tanks have an access panel to access the inside of the tank for proper cleaning. Just a suggestion! Good Luck!

 

[Gratitude]

Brian,

Thank you for sharing your wisdom! I love this site.

Gratitude

 

[nzfisher]

B.B. marines advice is the way to go. I heard the same from Darrell at North Island Boat who said this was a known problem. He said if your fuel pump is not making a consistent wurring sound but is sputtering you have this in your future. Take out the screen and follow BB’s advice.

By the way, this is another reason to take out that stupid step with that little access hatch if you have an sc style diesel.