Fuel ball compresses

[Birth I]

Hey everyone,

I'm a new member of the site. Thank you for letting me join. I have a 1989 24'grady with a merc 250 ocean runner. My problem and symptoms are after I prime the fuel ball and run the engine for a couple of minutes the ball slowly gets sucked almost flat and the engine stalls. I have replaced the fuel filter on the engine and the fuel filter/water separator as I normally do for preseason maintenance. I run startron through out the year, and filled up the fuel tank with boat on trailer before initial season launch. While on ramp this problem occurred. I removed fuel fill cap and the boat runs fine as it normally should. I am thinking a clogged vent line??? I am trying to do my homework as the boat is 76 miles from home and I don't want to spin my wheels if I go down to try to fix. Any info that would help would be sincerely appreciated.

Billy

 

[Grouper Duper]

There is usually a small check-valve where the fuel line leaves the fuel tank (anti-siphon valve). The little ball inside is known to freeze up. It's pretty easy to replace, but even better to remove as many have done.

 

[seasick]

There is usually a small check-valve where the fuel line leaves the fuel tank (anti-siphon valve). The little ball inside is known to freeze up. It's pretty easy to replace, but even better to remove as many have done.

Yes, anti-siphon is possible, blocked vent ( run with fuel cap off and see if ball compresses, if it doesn't vent is blocked),
Blocked pickup tube screen in tank,
collapsed/bad section of fuel line ( tough to identify)
and of course, the primer bulb could be bad.
Where to start?
Remove fuel cap and run the motor.
If that's not it, take a look at the fule lines, especially the inside if possible.
Try replacing the anti-siphon valve but if you are going through all that work, I would plan on replacing the fuel lines at the same time assuming they are fairly old.
Good luck

 

[Curmudgeon]

I removed fuel fill cap and the boat runs fine as it normally should.

You have a vent problem, start at the vent fitting and work backward ... :wink:

 

[TUNAHUNTER197]

Billy,

I am having the same issues as you are that my fuel ball is sucked flat, but its only my strb engine that is bogging down, so I don't think its a clogged vent. I tore up the deck the other night. I am going to replace the fuel lines, as well as remove the fuel pick-up to see if there is any debris slowing down the fuel. The bogging down only occurs above 4100 rpms. I'll report back after this weekend after I change out fuel lines and let you know how she runs.

Good luck and let us know what you find.

 

[Curmudgeon]

Replace the ball, it's the cheapest component. I once spent about $1k to fix a $10 problem that had no indication of being a problem, my first encounter with ethanol problems ... :shock:

 

[TUNAHUNTER197]

New fuel balls have been installed. Switched fuel lines port engine starts bogging at WOT, and the starb (original bogging engine) ran like a champ. Pulled the fuel pickup and the screen was clean. Could the pickup create a suction to the bottom of the tank making the fuel ball flat? Next is to replace the fuel lines.

 

[Birth I]

Hey guys,

Sincere thanks for all your responses and sorry I'm slow to respond. Baseball all weekend with the boys.

In response to Tunahunter. I only have one engine, and I own the boat with a friend. He has used the boat twice for rides with his kids and said the boat ran fine with the cap off. This leads me to believe a clogged vent. Once I tear into it will replace all fill, vent lines that I come across. Any input is appreciated. I will update once I can tear into this. Trying for Thursday.

Thanks,

Billy

 

[seasick]

Hey guys,

Sincere thanks for all your responses and sorry I'm slow to respond. Baseball all weekend with the boys.

In response to Tunahunter. I only have one engine, and I own the boat with a friend. He has used the boat twice for rides with his kids and said the boat ran fine with the cap off. This leads me to believe a clogged vent. Once I tear into it will replace all fill, vent lines that I come across. Any input is appreciated. I will update once I can tear into this. Trying for Thursday.

Thanks,

Billy

Do you have separate vent or a combo fuel filler?.
If separate before tearing the hull apart, open the filler cap and blow some air into the vent to clear it out if possible. Sometimes things nest in the vent line. Another possibility is a vent with a downward loop that fills with fuel. That will require finding the problem area and rerouting/positioning the vent hose.

 

[Curmudgeon]

:uhm I'd find the problem before 'tearing into' stuff. Once you locate the problem, then decide what to tear out and what to leave. Those hoses tend to be pretty stiff when new, much less 15 years old ...