No fuel filter or water seperator?

JayBoater

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Jun 3, 2014
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I just picked up my first boat. It's an 88 Imperial 164. It has the Volvo Pinta AQ171C and a Pinta 290 outdrive. My problem is if it has been sitting over night it will fire right up and it sounds good, but it will only run for about 10 to 20 seconds. After that it doesn't want to fire up again. I've been an auto mechanic for while, this seems like a fuel problem. So I went to check the filters before I drained the tank. I suspect bad fuel. Problem is I cant find them. The fuel system is minimal. Its a mechanical pump, so no return. There's a rubber line from the tank to the pump, and a metal line from the pump that feeds both carburetors. That's it. I don't see any filters in the carbs, nor do I see a water separator any where on the system. I don't think any of this would be in the fuel tank, but like I said, I have no experience with boats. Am I missing something or did the jerk that sold me this heap do a little redneck engineering and remove all the filters.
 

jerryjerry05

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May 7, 2008
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18,158
The OEM stuff probably rotted away and it sounds like nobody replaced it??
Simple fix, Wallyworld and get a fuel/water separator.
Then check the pump output?
Undo the hard line and turn it over and see if it's pumping.
The pickup in the tank could be blocked?
The Ethanol could be messing with the rubber hose?
Just hope the pump isin't bad.$$$$$
 

JayBoater

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Jun 3, 2014
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Thanks for the input. The fuel pump is new. There was fuel getting to the carbs. I just ran a line to fuel can with fresh fuel in it and it ran. So bad fuel. Its a little rough but not bad. one of the carbs isn't spitting fuel right. A clean up/rebuild should fix that. I'll pick up some filters and I should be good as far as the engine is concerned. There's still a small leak and the floors and probably the stingers are soft. Didn't know how big of a job that was before I bought it.
 

JayBoater

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Jun 3, 2014
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Took it for a lap around the bay today. It runs pretty good now, but it over heats quick. It has a closed cooling system. How does it actually cool the coolant? I don't see a radiator. does it pump it down into the water or something?
 

bruceb58

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Mar 5, 2006
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There is a heat exchanger mounted on the front of the engine. I believe, not certain, that there is a strainer that you need to look at to see if its free of debris.
 
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jerryjerry05

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The front of the motor, there is a reservoir with a heat exchanger inside.
It uses sea water to cool the antifreeze.
Sometime it clogs and stops the flow.
It can be back flushed or sent to a radiator shop for a soak.
Just hope it's not bad. Lot's O $$$$ OEM $1000
There is a raw water pump on the front of the motor.
Take it apart and check the impeller.
These motors come with a raw water cooled manifold.
They can look brand new and be shot.
Remove the rubber boot and see if the end is clogged/ corroded?
Went out on an overheat job. The manifold looked new.
I started messing with it and touched the side near the back and pushed my finger through the paint into the inside of the manifold.
The manifold can last 15-20 years depending on salt or fresh water?
They can be bought as an aftermarket product. $3-400.Way cheaper than OEM.
Profile? Location?
 

JayBoater

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Jun 3, 2014
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Profile? Location?

I'm in Michigan in the Waterford area, so all fresh water. So it sounds like this motor has two water pumps on it, one for the coolant and one for the lake water. Thanks for the help. I'm heading out to the garage in a couple of minuets to check it out. I'll let you know what I find.
 

JayBoater

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Jun 3, 2014
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So I have more questions.
What is the black cap next to the heat exchanger? There seems to be nothing under it.


I'm assuming the pulley toward the left is the pump for the coolant and the one on the right with out a pulley and the pipes coming from it is the one for the lake water. Conformation on that?
And finally the red contraption that looks like a filter. What is that for? And what is the nipple on the left that doesn't have a line coming from it? Sorry for the stupid questions, but there doesn't seem to be much out there on these engines. Unless I'm just not looking in the right place.
 

JayBoater

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Jun 3, 2014
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Well, I answered most of my questions. I just needed to dig into it a little bit. The impeller on the raw water pump is shot. Thanks for the tip on that Jerry. And I believe the red cylinder looking thing is an oil cooler, which I believe is leaking oil into the lake water (I'm sure the EPA won't mind too much), It is also leaking water into the boat. None of this seems that hard to fix. This thing may see the water this summer after all.
 
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