2 problems found on my new boat

jobofly

jobofly

Member
Jul 22, 2008
413
Ithaca Ny
Boat Info
1985 Sea Ray Weekender 230 OMC Stringer
Engines
5.7 260 w/OMC Stringer
1- the trim tabs are not working. The hydraulic pump does not seem to be getting power, fuse?

2- fuel line leak. I was tinkering on the boat today and noticed that while the engine is running I have a steady drip from the fuel line that connects to the bottom of the fuel filter to the metal line coming from the block. Do you know what size fuel lines I will need to replace that? Are all the fuel lines the same size? I think I will go ahead and replace all of the fuel lines.

One more question, on my dash is a fuel pump switch. Is it ok to leAve tht on when the boat is turned off? It appears to be tied to the ignition.

Thanks guys, sorry for all of the questions lately
 
Hmmm. Is the fuel line metal or rubber? If its metal I would recommend checking a boat shop. From the pump to the carb it's supposed to be a metal line to prevent leaks on the high pressure side. Often from the tank to the pump they are rubber hose, and those are the ones you have to keep an eye on as ethanol will eat at the hoses over time causing leaks. And even a small leak will build up vapor in the engine bay. Last year we had a boat blow up in the bay. The motor was off and the family was in the water swimming by the boat. I "think" the gas dripped into the bilge area, and when the bilge pump kicked on it ignited the vapor and blew the boat. Fuel leaks are nothing to take lightly.

During the winter make sure you put some gas treatment in the tank to keep the ethanol from separating from the gas. Ethanol is basically alcohol and that eats the rubber hoses.

Not sure about the switch as mine doesn't have one.

FYI: Might not be a good time for the wifie to spend the night on the boat. :lol:
 
I'm going to replace all the fuel lines tomorrow with the proper oem ones that the omc repair shop recommends. I turned the motor off as soon as I saw the drip. It did not drip with the motor off I did double check that. But yes I agree not a good time to stay on the boat :)
 
LOL It's a good idea to check your fuel lines every spring before you start the season and make sure the rubber lines are firm and no cracks or leaks. Ethanol sucks. Some places on the water sell ethanol free gas. But it's not cheap!
 
Found the photo.

This is what a small fuel leak can do:
4B5DAAE8-0BAB-49FA-94AF-4C9788A24D92-7826-00000709F43C6906_zpsbe897382.jpg


Wait... Wrong one...

THIS!
77577C36-2F2D-4677-BBDA-656B365EF360-7826-0000070A01F039E9_zps5088a7fc.jpg
 
There is no such thing as a dash switch to control an electric fuel pump. The PO installed an elec. pump without the correct safety switch on the motor.And without it your insurance is not valid should burn to the water line.
 
I was wondering about that too. Since our boats are close in age it should be a mechanical Fuel pump. Not sure about the newer fuel injected boats though.
 
HUMPH said:
Way too much clothing...
Click to expand...

LOL

Jobofly;

If you see some things that are confusing or don't seem right on the boat, take a picture with your phone and upload them through photobucket. It's easier for us to see what's going on. It's normal for older boats like ours to have s few things out of place.

My boat had a car motor in it and quite a bit wasn't up to coast guard standard. Mine had a rubber hose to the carb..... My mechanic pointed it out.

Now that I'm on this subject, do you have a regular air filter on the carb? Or is it an aluminum Flame arestor? It should be a flame arestor.
1209DD63-688D-4570-A9AB-381498A87279-8144-000007341D8DCB8F_zpsea9daff2.jpg
 
Last edited:
Paulie Walnuts said:
Found the photo.

This is what a small fuel leak can do:
4B5DAAE8-0BAB-49FA-94AF-4C9788A24D92-7826-00000709F43C6906_zpsbe897382.jpg


Wait... Wrong one...

THIS!
77577C36-2F2D-4677-BBDA-656B365EF360-7826-0000070A01F039E9_zps5088a7fc.jpg
Click to expand...

I was anchored next to this boat when it exploded. I was a bout 40 yards away standing in the water and the explosion almost knocked me over. Probably the worst thing I have ever witnessed....
 
I am on the boat now. I'm taking a bunch of pictures and will upload them to photobucket. I have an aluminum flame arrestor.
 
jobofly said:
I have an aluminum flame arrestor.
Click to expand...

Good deal! Those run over $100.00 new so that saves you money. I'm sure much of this stuff wasn't something you wanted to hear. But it's better to know now than find out later when it's too late. FYI If your wife complains about working on the boat you can show her the pictures. But I wouldn't say anything unless she asks... LOL
 
Yeah, someone plumbed in an electric fuel pump, and that's why they ran an off switch on the dash. If it where ever factory then there would have been a fuse above the switch on the dash just like all the others. Looks like it's been there awhile. The reason why that's not a good idea and why there not coast guard approved is, if the hose springs a leak on the high pressure side it will keep spraying even after the motor is off. And then your in deep doo-doo as you will probably go bOOm.

With the diagram above you can probably do it yourself. Just get all the parts together before you start.
 
If I change the fuel lines to proper ones will I still have to worry about that?
 
I can't see how you could attach a metal line onto the electric pump. If you ever get pulled over they can also fine you for it. So ive heard...
 
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