Removing fuel pick up screen

[Hydraulicjump]

My poor tug died on San Francisco Bay week before last and had to be towed back to the dock. Here are the symptoms:

Ran fine for an hour or so at 1800 rpm. When I went to speed up the engine lost power and the check engine alarm came on (no codes, just check engine alarm). It would restart and idle fine, even run for a bit, then lose power and die, with the check engine light and alarm. This got worse and worse until it gave up the ghost and had to be towed. After a few days in the dock I started it up and it runs fine at a range of rpm's, but not under load (I didn't take it out....too chicken). Filters have 90 hours on them and these symptoms are not consistent with clogged filters (since they would stay clogged). No fuel leaks as far as I can tell, so I doubt that air is getting into the lines.

After lots of conversations with local mechanics and the internet, the suggestion is that I may have a clogged screen on the fuel pick up. The goal is to pull the pick up out and get rid of the screen, since the primary and secondary filters will handle the gunk just fine.

Any advice on pulling the pick up out?

Jeff

 

[dalee62]

I will likely get yelled at here for slightly changing the topic but it won't be the first time. My little 21 did this same thing one day a couple of years ago. I pulled up the suction tube and found what could be described as a very dark green blob stuck to the end of the screen. It had the consistency of a jelly fish about 1.5 inches across for lack of a better description. What was happening is that it cut off the fuel supply enough for the engine to run at a fast idle but not at full throttle. As soon as I dropped down the RPM the suction would decrease and the jelly fish would slide away . I would crank things up and continue until the ruddy thing got within range of the suction and then be back to square one again.

In the end I had to empty the fuel tank, clean it out and since then there has been no problems. I was glad there was a screen on the end of the pick up.

I would certainly be trying to have a look in the fuel tank if that's possible.

Dave

 

[LADYBUG TOO]

We had the same issue on Ladybug, Too. It dropped us in the middle of the ICW, Pensacola Pass on Labor Day weekend. There were three things we found. The secondary fuel filter was not seating properly but you could not see any fuel. It was getting air. The booster pump brings the pressure up to about 73 psi for the engine pump. The slightest air leak can greatly reduce that pressure. We ended up replacing the filter element and head as there was corrosion on it. The second thing we found was a loose connector on the rail pressure sensor. It had not seated properly so it was in and out. The third thing was a restriction in the suction line from the tank. We did pull the tank pick up but did not find anything. I would do a blow back through the supply line. If it bubbles easily then I don't think it is plugged but a restart and test would see if it plugged again. We also changed the primary filter to a Racor with a vacuum guage. Good luck.

Pat & Carolyn, Ladybug, Too

 

[Todd]

First thing to do is remove fuel line at filter and apply some vacuum. You can use a oil change pump. If you get more than 1 gallon in 5 minutes, 12 gallons per hour, you are good to go. While doing this try to look at tank, if sides pull inward you may have a plugged vent. I would do this before blowing back on the line, that way you know if it is the problem.

 

[Scottfree]

I have a 29 but other than assembly photos I have never found the fuel tank! Can you remove the fuel pick up for inspection? I am planning on installing a double Racor pre filter assemble ahead of the stock filter but this is pointless if the problem is the pick up.

Any suggestions?

Thanks, Leon

 

[Stella Maris]

Leon,
Attached is a link that will take you to the owners manual for the R29. The fuel tank is at the bottom of the bilge with the water tank sitting on top of it.

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2392

David