Engine quit/fuel issue

[Mike36c]

I'm putting along at idle when the starboard engine ran rough for a few seconds then died. Thinking I ran out of fuel (floscan still showed about 40gals remained out of 150) I limped to the fuel dock and filled her up (stb tank took 112gals leaving 38 in the tank). Once full I opened the engine room hatches to prime the engine and the stb racor still had a full bowl, hmmmm, I hand pumped a while and it felt like every stroke alternated between fuel and air. I then removed the engine cannister filter and got a large sucking sound when the seal broke, there was a hell of a vacuum. I put on a new one full of fresh fuel, then on to the racor. It was about 2/3 full and the element didn't look that bad but I replaced it anyway and filled with fuel. I then tried hand priming again and all felt ok, the engine cranked up and ran fine. The next day I installed vacuum gauges on both racors and both barely moved the needles at cruise.

My question: Can the ball valve in the racor lock up and choke the engine? I guess the engine filter can be ruled out as the engine ran fine at full throttle a few minutes prior. The only thing I can think of is something in the tank blocked the pick-up tube. Any ideas?

BTW Each engine is fed by its own 150gal tank, no issues on the port side. I didn't (but should have) tried crossfeeding before changing the filters.

 

[Genesis]

PROBABLY something blocking the pickup tube.

Next time it happens before you futz with it find someone with a vacuum tank, fully charged. Connect to the OUTLET of the RACOR and suck it through. Whatever it "was" will now be where you can remove it

 

[34Hatt]

Well that might work and it might not. I had this happen to me on and off for two years. I blew back on pickup and it would be fine for months. Then it was happening a lot. It did it close to home one day and I was low on fuel so that week I got into the top of the tank. Put a glove on and went fishing around came out with a bottle cap!!! That had to be in there for more then the 5 years I had owned it. This winter during repower I replaced the pickup tubes and checked the other tank and found a piece of copper tube. Looked like a old pickup tube. One problem with a older boat is many years of Idiots working on them . Try the sucking test if it doesn't work get into the tank thru the bronze plate in the top.

 

[Genesis]

Good point - if its a bottle cap you won't be able to suck it through

 

[Mike36c]

You both have given me the bad news, I need to play Mel Fisher and hunt for hidden treasure (bottle cap?) in my starboard tank

Thanks for the input guys! Mike