Your time on the water should be spent having fun or getting the job done, not dealing with sputtering engines and clogged carburetors that sideline your day. Keeping your fuel system clean will prevent time spent troubleshooting tank issues, a build-up of contaminants in your fuel injectors and the loss of expensive gas from your tank.
Up to 70% of engine issues involve the fuel system and tank, including rough idling, stalling, hesitating, pinging and even smoking. Water from condensation can lie underneath the fuel. When standing too long in a boat’s fuel tank, clean fuel left untreated can produce its own contaminants, like microbes and fungus. This can also occur ashore, at the fuel dock’s storage tanks. That’s why purchasing your fuel from a reputable boatyard or marina is essential to the proper running of your boat. Stay away from fuel stations that don’t seem to sell lots of fuel, as it may sit in the tanks for months. In the past, high-sulfur diesel was able to kill things like microbes prior to their spreading but due to concerns over exhaust gasses, today’s fuel only contains a small amount of sulfur, which isn’t enough to take care of these pests.
Your first line of defense is a high-end primary filter that will block debris and sludge from making the journey into your engine. It also strips away any water in the fuel. Throw in an inexpensive vacuum gauge so you can quickly and easily know how your filters are doing as well as when to service them.
Whether you own a motorboat, sailboat, catamaran, speedboat, trawler or yacht, maintaining a clean fuel tank should be a priority. If you wanted to tackle the task yourself, the process involves:
*Draining fuel from the tank
*Isolating fuel lines between the tank and the engine
*Taking off old fuel filters
*Deep cleaning the fuel tank to remove all debris
*Putting back the fuel tank lines and hoses and fill tank with fuel
*Allowing the motor to idle for 15 minutes
Unless you are confident in your mechanical skills, this process can feel daunting. If you’re taking the job a step further to ensure the proper running of your fuel injection system by cleaning it, there are additional steps involved. On many outboard motors and even some inboard motors, accessing the injectors is a labor-intensive project as they are located deep in the intake manifold behind the throttle bodies and air silencer and therefore, more complicated to remove. Having a company service your fuel system is a great choice to ensure a problem-free experience.
To keep your rig in optimal shape, it is wise to have your fuel-system serviced once a year or for every 100 hours of use, including a check of fuel filters and replacing any fuel lines that are worn out. Approximately every 300 engine hours or every 3 to 4 years or so, it is important to have a professional fuel-injection service which includes calibration and cleaning. Coastal Marine Fuel Service in Homestead has over 40 years of experience. Call (786) 217-2291 to ask about fuel cleaning system options.
Did you know that Nextwave Marine in Princeton’s longest build was an aluminum boat for a theatre in Key West that is used to train dolphins? It was a blast and took a bit over 12 months to complete this highly customized piece. We love a challenge and can help you with your next aluminum product. We build for life!
Call 305.699.4090 for us for your next project!