Trouble Shooting

colbysmith

colbysmith

Active member
Before leaving home my kicker, a Yamaha 9.9hp, was giving me some trouble stalling and only running for a short time. I assumed maybe it was due to low fuel in the tank. When we launched at Lake Powell the main, a Yamaha 150, started up and ran fine as usual. However pulling into the dock at the marina, a very short distance from the launch ramp, it stalled. It started back up after I pumped the fuel hose bulb and seemed to run fine again. I left it running while going to the marina store. By the time we came back it had stalled. I got it running again and we headed across the way from Halls Crossing to Bullfrog Bay. The main Outboard stalled again. Thinking perhaps a main fuel filter issue, I changed that. Started it back up and got on plane but then the engine sputtered a few times. Figured I’d be looking for a mechanic in Bullfrog. But then the motor started running fine again. I did several back and forths in Bullfrog Bay and the motor continued to run fine so we pressed on to Moki Canyon at planning speed. I had tried the kicker again while in Bullfrog Bay and I continued to have problems with it. Since I had filled the fuel tank back in Iowa ($1.75/gal, best gas price on route.) I prayed I didn’t have bad gas. Arriving at a nice beach stop for the evening the main outboard started acting up again as I was idling in gear. Once tied up secure for the evening I started trouble shooting again. I found fuel leaking out of the kicker’s small inline fuel filter when I pumped its fuel hose bulb. In the end I found a small split in the seam that had caused the trouble on both engines. Both run off the same main fuel filter so apparently enough air was being drawn thru the split in the kickers inline filter to also effect the main!

IMG_9903.jpg

Moral of the story, the tiniest fuel leak in the system can cause havoc with all engines in the system!

Colby
 
Glad you figured it out, it could have put a big dent in the enjoyment of the trip.
Another "Moral Of the Story": keep fuel supply separate for kicker and Main :wink:
How is it up there? I am thinking of heading up in a couple weeks or so.
Keep track of the good spots and share.
Alain
 
Colby doesn’t your Yamaha have a fuel filter built in that can be changed Also do you have a water / gas separator filter That filter looks like a fuel filter for a car or truck engine Was that the filter for the kicker motor ?
We have had similar problems and replaced our water fuel separates filter and she then ran fine

Glad everything worked out
 
Glad you figured it out, it could have put a big dent in the enjoyment of the trip.
Another "Moral Of the Story": keep fuel supply separate for kicker and Main Wink
How is it up there? I am thinking of heading up in a couple weeks or so.
Keep track of the good spots and share.
Click to expand...

Hi Alain. Actually, I do have a small 3 gal tank hidden away in the bilge to run the kicker on, as I only put non-ethanol gas in that one. However, I still run both systems through the main water separating fuel filter. Regarding Powell, it was too damn hot, so we left there for cooler climates. 105 or so during the day bringing the boat up to 108 or so, and not cooling off less than 85 at night, and the boat not getting there until after midnight. Water temps were 82-84 degrees! However, we did find some good spots at the end of Moki and Forgotten canyons. Used Halls Crossing this time, and the launch worked out much better than what we've experienced at Bullfrog Bay. Came out of Goodyear (Phoenix area), as we visited my folks first. Really wanted to take the Moki Dugway out of Mexican Hat, but probably wisely chose to go around through Bluff. Maybe next time. lol. Colby
 
Colby doesn’t your Yamaha have a fuel filter built in that can be changed Also do you have a water / gas separator filter That filter looks like a fuel filter for a car or truck engine Was that the filter for the kicker motor ?
We have had similar problems and replaced our water fuel separates filter and she then ran fine

Glad everything worked out
Click to expand...

Hey Jim,
I'm not positive about my main's inline fuel filter. I thought it was just a cleanable one, but you may be right. I still haven't gotten all the spare parts I want to travel with, or even to do my first routine maintenance on it. Yes, I also have a larger water / gas separator filter. I don't remember the model right off the bat, but it's the one that has both the spin on filter and the plastic bowl. The boat came with a larger unit in the bilge that just had the spin on filter. I wanted the fuel bowl, and easier access, so I changed it out with the one I have now and mounted it in the splash well. The kicker had a small inline filter, and since I haven't found those shopping yet, I used one of the inline filters I kept from the main Merc on Midnight Flyer. Since changing out the split filter, I only had one more time the main stalled. That was after anchoring near Bullfrog to catch up on some internet while I could get some data on my cell phone, and I think the motor just got to hot sitting in the sun under that dark gray cover and may have vapor locked. Pumped the bulb, restarted it, and everything was fine again. Even the engine hated the heat! Think next time I go to Powell, it's going to be late September or October! Colby
 
Oh, it's the heat. lol. Sometime I'd like to get the Yami on my network system... Just very briefly looked at the first paragraph in your thread linked above. I do have the command gauges now, as I prefer the main readout that way. But eventually I would like to also have access to the gauges via my combination plotter display. Maybe a way to just tap into the cables already behind my dash. Project for later... Colby
 
So it's not the humidity, it's the heat? You should have trailered to Florida. It's a refreshing 90 degrees and only 92% humidity.
Click to expand...

Here in Alberta Canada they put out a heat warning when the temperature is going to be over 28C (82F). We only hit 30C (86F) for two days this summer. I hid in the basement. This is why I only travel to the southern US between October and April. My nordic blood is more suited to snow and cold than it is to heat and humidity.
 
Foggy, the big issue of both engines having problems was from the split in the kicker's fuel filter. I'm pretty sure after that was fixed, the very brief issue I had was due vapor lock. All is running well now, including here at Yellowstone Lake (national park). Wow, the altitude really sucks the power though. Even more so than the heat! Webasto heater is working great at night though. Little chill going thru here right now. :xnaughty Colby
 
If you get a chance, visit Jackson Lake Lodge In Teton national Park. . Beautiful architecture as will as a place for a good inexpensive meal. Hope the mosquitos aren't too bad
 
dotnmarty":35rjltxw said:
If you get a chance, visit Jackson Lake Lodge In Teton national Park. . Beautiful architecture as will as a place for a good inexpensive meal. Hope the mosquitos aren't too bad
Click to expand...

Agree a great place, but I believe it is all shut down currently.

Enjoy Yellowstone, and it looks like the Buffalo Bill Center of the West museum is open. Well worth a stop. Nice campground on the West part of Cody.
 
Nice to see you are traveling around Colby. I'm sorry for your issues, but of all people, you are one to take em on and beat em. Been to many a boat show, and all the seminars put on by boating experts all say that fuel issues are usually the cause of most problems. good for you chasing it all down.

I was intrigued by your experience at elevation. As you know, I moved to away from IL, and to CO. All the lakes I fish here in CO are located between 8500 and 10000 ft elevation. I recently fished with another CD22 owner at Granby Rservoir here in CO, located at 8600 ft. He commented that Yellowstone was at only 7500 ft.

Thank goodness I had the means to trade in my good ol 90 HP 4 stroke carberated Honda for a new 115 Yama with fuel injection. The real trick was sizing the prop to the elevation. Turns out a 13.5 pitch works perfect at elevation and pushes my CD22 really efficiently at altitude. Kudos goes to the dealer who was a master at putting the right prop on that new Yamadog.

Good luck with your travels back home to WI. You know you and your bride always have a place to hang your hat here in CO if your passing throught he Denver area.
 
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