Hello All,
I picked up my first boat last year, a 1995 Skeeter ZX 190 with a Johnson Fast Strike 175. I have been struggling to correct a problem with the starboard fuel tank pickup and I am looking for suggestions.
Both are poly tanks and are located at the rear of the boat on either side of the battery compartment under the rear deck. Engine runs fine on the Port tank however will not maintain suction from the starboard tank. All of the fuel lines and fittings other than the pickup have been replaced with no improvement. I have the replacement pickup tube however I have three problems.
1. The existing fuel pickup is corroded in place. All attempts thus far to break it loose have been entirely unsuccessful.
2. Top of tank clearance is less than 1" above the fuel fittings, so do not know how I would remove it even if I could get it loose.
3. With the tank straps removed the tank will not move more than an inch or two toward the battery compartment hatch, but not far enough to clear the deck or gain better access to fuel pickup.
I have spoken with two marine mechanics about the fuel pickup and neither seem to be willing to tackle this problem so I am looking for suggestions to DIY. I have a few ideas thus far hopefully someone can provide me with some better solutions.
1. Drill access hole in rear deck to access fuel fittings and hopefully remove the existing fuel pickup or drill top of tank and install a second pickup along side the existing one using a blind bulkhead fitting.
2. I have full access to the side of the tank via the battery compartment and could drill the side of the tank, however I am unsure how to get a fuel pickup down to bottom of the tank.
3. Remove the top cap entirely to gain access to the entire tank. I am much less willing to do this as I have no experience with such things and the risk of getting stuck or further damaging an otherwise usable boat does not sit well with me. Maybe after I get another boat I can turn this into a project boat.
I do not have any pictures at the moment but can get some when I get the boat back from mechanic, hopefully by the end of the week.
Thank You all for any suggestions you may be able to provide.
Jeremy
I picked up my first boat last year, a 1995 Skeeter ZX 190 with a Johnson Fast Strike 175. I have been struggling to correct a problem with the starboard fuel tank pickup and I am looking for suggestions.
Both are poly tanks and are located at the rear of the boat on either side of the battery compartment under the rear deck. Engine runs fine on the Port tank however will not maintain suction from the starboard tank. All of the fuel lines and fittings other than the pickup have been replaced with no improvement. I have the replacement pickup tube however I have three problems.
1. The existing fuel pickup is corroded in place. All attempts thus far to break it loose have been entirely unsuccessful.
2. Top of tank clearance is less than 1" above the fuel fittings, so do not know how I would remove it even if I could get it loose.
3. With the tank straps removed the tank will not move more than an inch or two toward the battery compartment hatch, but not far enough to clear the deck or gain better access to fuel pickup.
I have spoken with two marine mechanics about the fuel pickup and neither seem to be willing to tackle this problem so I am looking for suggestions to DIY. I have a few ideas thus far hopefully someone can provide me with some better solutions.
1. Drill access hole in rear deck to access fuel fittings and hopefully remove the existing fuel pickup or drill top of tank and install a second pickup along side the existing one using a blind bulkhead fitting.
2. I have full access to the side of the tank via the battery compartment and could drill the side of the tank, however I am unsure how to get a fuel pickup down to bottom of the tank.
3. Remove the top cap entirely to gain access to the entire tank. I am much less willing to do this as I have no experience with such things and the risk of getting stuck or further damaging an otherwise usable boat does not sit well with me. Maybe after I get another boat I can turn this into a project boat.
I do not have any pictures at the moment but can get some when I get the boat back from mechanic, hopefully by the end of the week.
Thank You all for any suggestions you may be able to provide.
Jeremy