Hi Be Free and Everybody
Thank you for your notes.
They are appreciated!
All your assumptions are correct except the fuel leakage is from the discharge fitting to tank interface, not the fill cap.
Yes, we are exclusively using ethanol-free fuel and from high volume reputable sources both when we initially fueled on land and from the Marina we are currently having a slip. We verified that they both have active filtration and water separators.
We are currently keeping the fuel tanks from over pressurizing by leaving the fill caps loose on the tank threads while in use. We are also keeping the vacuum breaker vents open to prevent the possibility of having a vacuum form in the in-use tank. We are closing up both tanks and vents when not in use.
The fuel leakage problem is vapor pressure build up related. This leakage has occurred on both tanks at the ‘discharge’ port to tank interface. We have been able to mitigate this to general success by basically tightening the heck out of the discharge fitting and application of fuel rated gasket compound from Permatex. We have also gotten a sheet of fuel rated gasket material. We will run one tank at a time to empty (at least as empty as it can get) then bring it home to cut and fit a made gasket to the discharge/tank interface. At the same time we will figure out how to improve our usable fuel availability by repositioning/extending the fuel siphon within each tank which will effectively make them functionally permanent PORT and STARBOARD tanks. (This isn’t a problem as we weren’t going the be pulling them out and swapping them anyway.)
We will recheck the engine fuel filter and water separators again. Could have missed something. (Hopefully there is no marina slip swimming involved as personal dexterity is no longer a strong suit anymore...
).
We just got in a new external fuel filter AND the Fuel Demad Valve pressure regulator from West Marine. Still awaiting the four position fuel selector valve. Once they all arrive we will be mounting it all up as a semi permanent installation. At that time we will be removing the newly installed spray less fittings ( we changed them out last week as we couldn’t find just new o-rings locally so we got the three new connectors which while easier to swap the line from one tank to the other did not seem to have any effect on our engine operationally
.) while the existing fuel line was replaced by the PO we will also be installing new lines to support the new line routings requirements for the tank selector, FPD and external 10 micron filter/separator. The only quick disconnect with be the one at the engine interface which we will check for condition. Note: This could be fun as we will be doing all this over the water in our shared slip. (We may temporarily turn Over Easy the other way round to give us a fighting chance at staying dry and to keep the marina
laughter
to a somewhat manageable din.)
The spark plugs were replaced and gapped by Butler Marine here in Beaufort when we had the engine serviced in November of 2020. We didn’t get Over Easy into the water till two weeks ago (04/27/21) on our maiden voyage here in SC. When we get to checking the engine filter this and separator this weekend we will pull and check the plugs. At the same time we will recheck the condition of the plug wires and boots as well any other wiring we can see.
On the same note regarding the checking of the plug wires, it was also suggested we check the running engine in the dark to see if there are any errant sparks or arcs coming from anywhere... while this is a bit problematic given the lighting at the marina we have come up with a solution of sorts in the form of a large enough cardboard box and a tunneled side viewing slot. We will give this a try hopefully this weekend fates permitting.
At this time we have no idea if the main jets were replaced as paperwork is AWOL. We will ask Butler Marine.
Timing....that was checked and adjusted at the Nov 2020 service visit. Not something we can readily check at this point in time while on the water. We will keep this on the “TO-GET-DONE” list.
Carb synchronization..we don’t have the tools down here in SC...that stuff is back up in NH....But we do know specifically that was done at the Nov 2020 service visit...We will keep this on the “TO-GET-DONE” list.
Carb floats....that is an interesting one as we don’t believe the carbs have been rebuilt...this is something we can ask the wonderful POs... checking the bowl drain levels is something we might be able to do while turned around in our slip.
Fuel pump....assuming for the moment that the filter is clean the checking of the fuel pump pressure isn’t something we are currently equipped for here in SC... we will ask Butler to check their paperwork from Nov 2020.
The prop is worn but in good condition. We don’t believe the POs have changed it since they took possession but we will ask. We will also check the prop numbers and the Tohatsu recommendation to verify as well as with Butler Marine.
One of the things we are hoping can occur is to get some time with the lead mechanic from Butler Marine on the water so he can see/hear/feel/smell the engine operation dynamically on the water rather than being limited to a barrel or their test tank. (That’s the hope anyway as this is their most busiest time of the year here in Beaufort. Everybody wants to get on the water, have their new Yamahas installed and their last year(s) serviced/tested/inspected/repaired.)
We will post what we get to accomplish and apparent results after this weekend.
We really truly appreciated all the help and advice. Thank you all!!!