Out with th' old--Chapter two.

Bearh · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 12:32 pm Post subject: Out with th' old--Chapter two.

Okay--I've ordered two new twenty-gallon tanks from C-Dory. They told me the rumored 25-gallon tanks aren't gonna happen, at least any time soon, so I decided to go with what they have. Next, today being clear and sunny, and spring's coming and all, I went out to the boat, on the trailer to follow directions given in OWTO, Chapter 1--I disconnected the fuel line from the engine, took the end fitting off, dropped the end into a container on the ground--and began pumping. I tried pumping with my finger over the end of the fuel line, blocking the hole. I tried pumping while I covered the fuel tank vent, then realized that didn't make much difference. I pumped with my left hand. I pumped with my right hand. I moved my fuel tank selector around and tried other positions. I pumped til I was various colors in the face.
Question--and realize, you're communicating with a total brick, a man legendary for his lunkheadedness, at this end--exactly how much pumping is required to start a flow using the disconnect the fuel line from the engine--remove fitting--place in container--and pump technique? Am I missing something? Thanks in advance.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 2:31 pm Post subject:

Bearth-Let's start with the simple possibilities first:

1. Is the catch bucket significantly (at least a foot or more) below the level of the gas in the tanks?

2. Is there a kink introduced into the line when it is lead out and over the side of the boat?

3. Is the fuel tank selector valve set to one or the other tanks and not the "off" position?

4. Does the fuel primer bulb feel squishy or hard like it does when it has fuel moving into it and priming the motor?

5. Can you see, feel, or probe (with a small diameter wire) any blockage in the end of the hose where you took off the end fitting?

6. Are you getting any fuel at all from the hose?

7. Do you have a FUEL FILTER in the line that is adding resistance and may be partially or mostly blocked????

8. Can you remove the bulb without major surgery and try to establish a siphon without it? Without the bulb, can you blow air back into the tank(s)?

9. Try the above first!

Hope this helps!!! Joe.

Larry H · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 2:32 pm Post subject:

Bearh,

Try pointing the outlet end of the squeeze bulb up. The valves inside the bulb work better with a gravity assist.

If you get the fuel line to prime and you can pump fuel with the bulb, but it won't free flow(siphon), then you may have anti-siphon valves at the outlet of the fuel tank. If you have anti-siphon valves, a pump must be used to get the gas out.

Hope this helps,

Bearh · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 3:42 pm Post subject: Joe, Larry--Thanks

Joe, Larry--
Thanks a million. As it happens, I wandered back out to the boat, and like a monkey with idle time, began diddling with the fuel hose. At one point, the fuel line happened to be pointing up while I was pumping away, staring off into the distance. At that point, I discovered I had solved my problem, and the hose was squirting satisfactorily, but like a fountain. I cleverly shoved the hose into my fuel jug and stood there pleased as punch, dripping with old fuel, abreathing noxious vapors in the sunshine, and glowing with satisfaction. Now, two hours later, I have gotten one of the tanks out, and the other one is happily urinating away. I can't wait til this evening, when I can go out and check if it is finished. I've got my candle all ready, so I'll be able to see in the dark. (Just kidding, honest--I was a volunteer firefighter just long enough to know it is a bad thing to lotion oneself with petroleum distillates before lighting up. A bad thing. Bad.) So, thanks a million. The pointing up really works! And, Joe--I appreciate your comprehensive effort at trying to advise and help--you didn't happen to teach at some point, did you? I believe I'll be joining you in the retirement way here in June, at the end of this school year, myself. But first--I think the fuel jug is about to overflow--excuse me, please. Bruce Holly

Sea Wolf · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 4:53 pm Post subject:

Bearth- Yup, I'm a retired H.S. science teacher! Guess it shows in the way I've learned to s-l-o-w-ly and meticulously explain things. But I also think it helps to be very through so that others with different degrees of experience can read these now and posts later and make sense out of them.

Glad to hear you're in the firing chamber looking straight down the gun barrel of retirement! The C-Dory is a great silver bullet to fly through time with in your coming years of freedom. I'll bet you have some great targets already in sight. Happy Landings! Joe.

Captains Cat · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 5:36 pm Post subject:

Bearth, glad you got it fixed before I chimed in. Was about to tell you to take a lip lock on it and do it the hard way. I did that with a 54 Ford pickup when I was young and stupid. Got a mouthfull of (then) leaded regular, got excited and swallowed it. Smile

Thank the good Lord I was too young to smoke because I had 90 octane belches for weeks! And worse.....

I'm also about to retire (again), about 2 years from now. Can't wait. In the meantime, I'm buying toys as fast as my wife will allow while I'm still gainfully employed with a good income!

We'll have to meet somewhere on the Bay this summer!