Removing check ball from fuel pickup tube?

[RPOWELL]

Well i have good news and bad news. The good news is i think i found my problem. bad news is i broke the fitting that holds the check ball in the puchup tube. i was able to get the threads out so i am going to buy just a threaded to barbed fitting without the check ball. Will this create any new problems?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Removing check ball from fuel pickup tube?

Well i have good news and bad news. The good news is i think i found my problem. bad news is i broke the fitting that holds the check ball in the puchup tube. i was able to get the threads out so i am going to buy just a threaded to barbed fitting without the check ball. Will this create any new problems?

Howdy....

You'll be looking for a standard anti-siphon valve. You can get them at West Marine or right here on Iboats.

View attachment 107595

Below is the Iboats ad....
http://www.iboats.com/Anti-Siphon-V...7345494--**********.822108937--view_id.392107

Our Price: $12.23 Anti-Siphon Valve, 3/8" Barb, 3/8 NPT - Moeller Compare at $14.39
You Save: $2.16
(15% Off) Part # 033802-10
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Do not just put a regular hose bib in place of it! The anti-siphon valve is there to prevent SIPHONing of the fuel in the event of a leak between the tank and the engine! (can you say BOOM?)


Regards,


Rick

 

[dn010]

Re: Removing check ball from fuel pickup tube?

Also there so the fuel stays in your lines, and doesn't drain back into the tank from the pump when you shut the engine off. Without it, restarting could be an awful chore after a while of sitting.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Removing check ball from fuel pickup tube?

As Rick said, DO NOT just use a barbed fitting. With a plain fitting, a small fuel leak anywhere in the line will allow all the gas to siphon out of your tank into the bilge. An explosion waiting to happen. Spend the $15 for an anti-siphon fitting, there is a reason it is there!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Removing check ball from fuel pickup tube?

Also, For anyone who thinks we're just bloviating about this

33 C.F.R. ? 183.568 Anti-siphon protection.
Title 33 - Navigation and Navigable Waters

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Title 33: Navigation and Navigable Waters
PART 183?BOATS AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT
Subpart J?Fuel Systems
Manufacturer Requirements
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? 183.568 Anti-siphon protection.

Each fuel line from the fuel tank to the fuel inlet connection on the carburetor musta) Be above the level of the tank top; or(b) Have an anti-siphon device or an electrically operated fuel stop valve1) At the tank withdrawal fitting; or(2) Installed so the line from the fuel tank is above the top of the tank; or(c) Provided that the fuel tank top is below the level of the carburetor inlet, be metallic fuel lines meeting the construction requirements of ?183.538 or ?USCG Type A1? hose, with one or two manual shutoff valves installed as follows1) Directly at the fuel tank connection arranged to be readily accessible for operation from outside of the compartment, and(2) If the length of fuel line from the tank outlet to the engine inlet is greater than 12 feet, a manual shutoff valve shall be installed at the fuel inlet connection to the engine.[CGD 74?209, 42 FR 5950, Jan. 31, 1977, as amended by CGD 81?092, 48 FR 55737, Dec. 15, 1983; CGD 85?098, 52 FR 19729, May 27, 1987]

Now for those of you that bother to actually READ this, you'll notice that you do NOT need an anti-siphon valve IF your fuel system has fuel lines and components that are actually ABOVE the tank all the way from the tank to the engine (or you meet the other conditions)


Cheers,


Rick

 

[RPOWELL]

Re: Removing check ball from fuel pickup tube?

i appreciate the help fellas. after spending the stupid amount of money trying to diagnose this problem with the help of my local marina. i think the 12.00 is the least i can do. i will order one. and just use the standard barb for this weekend that way i can at least enjoy my first trip on the water in this boat without problems.

 

[Don S]

Re: Removing check ball from fuel pickup tube?

Also there so the fuel stays in your lines, and doesn't drain back into the tank from the pump when you shut the engine off. Without it, restarting could be an awful chore after a while of sitting.

That was NEVER the reason for the anti siphon valve. Nor is it needed for that.
Your carb can not drain back to the tank through the line, and the check valves in the fuel pump prevents fuel from draining back past the fuel pump. If those valves are bad, then the pump will not work either or it will be weak.
If there is a water seperating fuel filter in your system, it also can't be emptied back to the tank because fuel will not jump up to get to the line to leak back to the tank.

Many think that, but it doesn't make it so.