Fuel Separator help
Submitted by milsey on Tue, 2013-01-29 21:29
A friend just installed a fuel separator on his rig, he put the bulb on the engine side of the filter which from what ive red is fine. The unit has a 4 plug system and as far as we know we have the hoses in the right ports. We ticked the merc over today and after the fuel was run out of the lines it cut out and wouldn’t suck any more, the bulb wouldn’t suck any either so im all out of ideas. I’ve heard the hoses can sometimes have a lining which blocks the flow but my friend‘s fairly certain that’s not the problem. So I was hoping someone on here knows what the issue could be.
Thanks Miles
scottnofish
Posts: 1621
Date Joined: 28/08/07
have you used thread tape on those fittings
could be sucking air there
iana
Posts: 652
Date Joined: 21/09/09
Matching threads
Just check that the threads in the filter are the same as the hose fittings. The threads in the filter could be NPT, and the fittings BSP, despite what they will tell you in the shop they are not the same thread. Thread tape can help with poor or loose fitting threads, but it is imortant that the thread profiles match.
In my intial trade, we were not allowed to use thread tape or any other sealant, just good fittngs, and those fittings don't look as though they have screwed in very far.
milsey
Posts: 1462
Date Joined: 22/08/07
Thanks guys, it ran no
Thanks guys, it ran no problems before the filter was installed and the bulb direction hasnt changed so cant be that. The hose fittings came with the filter so would assume there are correct and they were tightened fairly well, ill try some tape tomorrow and hopully that has some affect although the fact that the bulb isnt getting any sort of pressure or suction i would think its not a slight air leak.
Thanks
Scaly Man Fish
Posts: 212
Date Joined: 30/12/08
Primer bulb
Check your primer bulb is installed in the correct direction of flow.
Not knowing the fuel tank details be sure it has a breather to equalise pressures
good luck
Travisd
Posts: 315
Date Joined: 07/05/11
Fuel bulb placement
Thread tape all fittings and swap the fuel bulb so it's between tank and filter... Not after the filter if u get me- thAt wAy when u run outta fuel u can pump fuel into filter and thru to motor_ T
Baron Sportsman
Just the depth that Varies
tiimmbo
Posts: 695
Date Joined: 16/08/09
I have mine as turboz said,
I have mine as turboz said, tank - bulb - filter - motor.
Another thing to try is make sure there is no air lock in it. Disconnect the fitting to the motor then try pumping the bulb and see if any fuel runs through, I had the same prob when I put mine in a few months ago and that solved it.
holth
Posts: 812
Date Joined: 09/10/06
Bring it in andd take it out
Bring it in and take it out on the same side of the filter.that's how mines set up.worth a try.no tape on my threads just locktightand the bulb after the filter is fine.
Old Tub
Posts: 13
Date Joined: 27/12/12
Fuel Filter
Try the following:
1. Did you fill the filter with fuel before attaching it to the filter head? If not, remove the filter bowl and fill it with fuel as the primer bulb and engine lift pump may not be able to fill the bowl. When installing the bowl grease the 'o' ring to help you get the bowl off when you need to.
2. An obvious one, but check that the primer bulb has been installed the correct way around with the arrow pointing in the direction of flow. Installing it on the engine side of the filter is fine.
3. Seal the hose fittings and plugs in the filter head with a flexible loctite suitable for fuel (Loctite 567 is ideal). Coventry's sell it. Repco might sell it. Do not use thread tape as it is not fuel resistiant and you do not want any particles of it getting into your fuel system. You can use any inlet with any outlet on the filter head so your arrangement is fine.
4. Check the tightness of the hose fittings. The one on the inlet looks loose. If the system is not a complete vacuum the engine will suck air instead of fuel. I wouldn't recommend the serrated fittings for fuel hose as they dig into the outer cover of the hose and are a potential future failure point as the hose deteriorates. Couplers sell plain hose fittings and I'm sure many marine dealers do also.
Let us know how you go.
milsey
Posts: 1462
Date Joined: 22/08/07
Thanks alot mate, ill try
Thanks alot mate, ill try filling the bowl and hopfully that will sort it.
Rob H
Posts: 5803
Date Joined: 18/01/12
there are 2 downsides to
there are 2 downsides to filling the bowl manually.
One is introducing dirty fuel to both sides of the filter-not a big problem as there should be another filter inside cowl.
second is-if the bulb cant pull it up now, what will you do when it cuts out on a rough day/low tank due to a bit of air etc, and you need to going in a hurry?
You will have no chance of getting going again unless you have a can to fill it?
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
marrisy
Posts: 202
Date Joined: 08/09/11
fuel bulbs,
I have found that some fuel bulbs will only work properly if the arrow is pointed up when priming, as the valves rely on gravity to seat them if pumping air. Once full of fuel, the work in any position. Worth a try if you can twist the bulb vertical.
Marrisy.
sstevee
Posts: 472
Date Joined: 15/11/11
Mate i've just installed the
Mate i've just installed the same type and im pretty sure you need to use the inlet/outlet on the same side!!
i.e looking at the body, both on the right or both on the left.
I've got both of mine on the left and dont have an issue
Old Tub
Posts: 13
Date Joined: 27/12/12
Fuel Filter
Both inlet ports feed to the inlet side of the filter cartridge and both outlet ports connect to the outlet side of the filter cartridge. The filter cartridge cannot keep the flow separated depending on which port the fuel comes in on. The inlet and outlet arrangement shown in the photograph is fine. If he tries Marrisy's and my recommendations it will work if it is a fuel supply problem.
sstevee
Posts: 472
Date Joined: 15/11/11
Ah, well in that case, fair
Ah, well in that case, fair enough... I'd have to agree with your earlier suggestions... Thanks for the info on the loctite too, that may come in handy one day
milsey
Posts: 1462
Date Joined: 22/08/07
Thanks heaps guys, I changed
Thanks heaps guys, I changed the hoses to the same side and made sure all were tight. It took some serious squeezing but fuel finally began to flow and she's all go now.
fishfish
Posts: 307
Date Joined: 01/09/09
Fuel priming
Agree with old tubs comments and marrisey's onto it fuel bulbs need to be held vertically to allow the valves inside to work , it can take a little while to pull fuel up but gets easier the more fuel enters the bulb .
Cheers fishfish