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Author Topic:   Tempo Fuel Tank [problems]

SSILVER posted 07-20-2003 10:35 PM ET (US)
Anyone have [problems] using the 27 gallon Tempo tank. I have an inline Merc 90 HP and when I run above 3800 RPM's the primer bulb deflates and the engine starves for fuel? I have replaced the fuel line, bulb and connectors and even tried running w/ out a vent cap and fuel cap at all temporarily. I removed the access cover and checked the pickup line for debris or blockage and it looks good. This [problem] happened last week on Friday night and did not happen again on Sat-Sun-Mon. This week the [problem] will not go away. I tried the old 6 gallon tank and the engine ran fine. I am thinking maybe the pickup line is to close to the bottum of the tank and preventing the hose from filling to capicity? I plan on checking the pickup line at home in the garage but thought I would see if anyone else had any [problems] like this.

Dick posted 07-20-2003 10:46 PM ET (US)
I run the same tank and have never had a problem.
Sounds like you ran it with the cap off, that would eliminate a vent problem.
Pull the pick up out of the tank and check it, that may be the problem, it could be clogged.
What did you use to seal the threads when you installed the hose connection in the tank?
Dick
SSILVER posted 07-20-2003 11:00 PM ET (US)
I tried running w/ the cap off, thought the low profile cap I was using may have been the culprit, no dice same [problem] w/ cap off.
I used teflon tape on the nipple into the tank.
If it was sucking air I do not think the primer bulb would go flat.
I checked the pickup tube for obstructions/debris nothing.
I am going to check and make sure its not on touching the bottum of the tank and limiting the amount of gas it can allow to flow.
I do not think its something floating around in the tank becasue the [problem] only happens at RPMs above 3800 or so.
JBCornwell posted 07-21-2003 12:02 AM ET (US)
Issue?
You don't have an issue, SSilver, you have a problem or a fault.
There is an antisiphon valve in the pickup. It is probably stuck. Remove the pickup assembly and try blowing air through the pickup tube to the outlet.
Red sky at night. . .
JB
Macman posted 07-21-2003 07:58 AM ET (US)
SS...I had the exact same problem with that tank.. I tried everything that you have tried, and nothing worked. I returned it and went back to my old 19 gallon Tempo. Very frustrating, eh?
SSILVER posted 07-21-2003 12:49 PM ET (US)
I just called West Marine they have one instock and I am going to drain whats left in the one at home exchange it and cross my fingers!!! and bring a six gallon and a siphon pump out this week. Hopefully its a defective pickup and problem solved.
Thanks for your input.
SSILVER posted 07-21-2003 12:50 PM ET (US)
Forgot to ask is teflon tape the thread sealer to use w/ brass and plastic fittings?
whalertex posted 07-21-2003 01:16 PM ET (US)
If you can get to a bass proshop in person, or wait for it to ship, they charge about $75.00 less for the Tempo 27gal tank. Of course shipping charges probably decrease the savings. Check their website and maybe West Marine would match that price?
lhg posted 07-21-2003 01:39 PM ET (US)
Mercury generally recommends removing anti-siphon valves whenever they are encountered. They are notorious for problems. Bad primer bulbs can also cause these problems.
Bigshot posted 07-21-2003 01:44 PM ET (US)
Your pickup tube might be soft and when you suck too much fuel it collapses.
SSILVER posted 07-21-2003 06:01 PM ET (US)
West Marine matched the Bass Pro price $99.00 + $8.58 tax better then shipping. Interesting thought Bigshot, (Your pickup tube might be soft and when you suck too much fuel it collapses) I will have to look and see if the [problem] continues I may be able to use a diffrent piece of hose or put a piece of rigid tube at the end. Thanks again!
acseatsri posted 07-21-2003 08:49 PM ET (US)
Try cutting a slight angle on the bottom of the pickup tube. This will ensure that it isn't hitting the bottom of the tank.
jimh posted 07-22-2003 11:56 PM ET (US)
On a number of occassions there have been reports that TEMPO brand primer bulbs were replaced with OEM products (from Mercury, OMC, or Yamaha) and noticeable improvement in the fuel system operation was obtained.
My recommendation is to use OEM connectors and OEM primer bulbs. In particular, I have had much better results with Mercury components for these parts of the fuel system than I have with TEMPO brand.
[Also, replaced "issue" with "problem" in about seven locations.]
Dick posted 07-23-2003 01:43 AM ET (US)
SSILVER
There has been lots of advice here, some good and some bad.
Above deck tanks do not have antisiphon valves unless the consumer adds one, if you did throw it away. Antisiphon valves are not required on outboard installations even for an under deck fuel tank.
Do you have a water seperating fuel filter? If so have you replaced the filter element?
Do not cut the pickup tube at an angle, you will loose the filter screen at the bottom of the pick up tube. Is there one there? I have seen many plastic tanks with debris left from drilling the holes, this could be the problem and you wouldn't be able to see it from looking down the fuel sender opening.
The pickup tube hitting the bottom of the tank would be no problem as the last inch or so is the filter screen. Which will allow plenty of fuel flow.
No problem using teflon tape or liquid teflon on the fittings, silicone is a no no.
It looks like from everything that has bee done to correct the problem that the tank is causing it.
I would recomend installing a water seperating fuel filter, it will also stop the crap in the tank from reaching the engine. Merc, OMC & Sierra all good and
in the $35.00 to $40.00 range, cheap insurance.
When you get the new tank dump a little kerosene or diesel into it, slosh it around and then dump it before installing and filling with fuel.
Dick
SSILVER posted 07-23-2003 09:40 PM ET (US)
Picked up a new tank from West Marine yesterday. Before attatching my fuel fitting I sucked on the tube and found it was air tight. I peeked inside the tank and could see the pickup tube was flush to the bottum. I removed the pickup tube which is hard plastic w/ a short piece of soft tubing all the way to the bottum creating an airtight seal. I cut about a 1/8" off the bottum and installed the new tank. Also installed an in-line fuel filter after the bulb. My only regret is I wasted a couple of hours and $40.00 bucks buying hose and fittings I did not need, I should have checked the other tank for that problem first. The strange thing is the original tank worked great for the first few weeks acted up on a Friday then worked Sat-Sun and Monday. Went to use the boat the next weekend and the issue came back. I swithced to a six gallon tank for a few hours then back to the 28 and problem dissapeared for the rest of the day and then happened again the next day. If I had a fuel sipping 4 stroke probally would not have been an issue at all! Oh well now I have a 28 gallon tank that can not use the last gallon but is still better then 2 six gallon tanks.
Thank you all for your input. I will hopefully post a problem resolved update on Sunday night or Monday, heading back to the lake for 4 days tomorrow!!
Take care.
Sean
SSILVER posted 07-27-2003 09:52 PM ET (US)
Still same [problem]. I went as far as removing the soft plastic hose from the pickup and still have high RPM issues. Back to the drawing board!! I may endup w/ 2 12 gallon tanks. Ended up siphoning to the old 6 gallon this weekend. Bit of a pain but better then running back for more gas every few hours.
Sal DiMercurio posted 07-27-2003 10:48 PM ET (US)
Tempo tanks are notorious for having poly shavings in them caused by the people who drilled the holes [ and cleaned the holes ] & installed the fittings.
The shavings collect around the bottom of the pickup in the tank when your poring the coals to the engine.
At lower rpms the demand for fuel is less & enough fuel flows through to allow the engine to run normal.
All you had to do was flush the tank with fuel & turn it upside down to drain out.
You would really be surprised as to how much shavings comes out.
Sal
SSILVER posted 07-31-2003 10:31 PM ET (US)
I am impressed w/ Tempo Customer Service. I sent an email describing the [problem] and recieved a reply. The email was bounced around the company to a few people, and they said it was a defective tank and sent me a BRAND NEW ONE. Got it yesterday and installed this evening. They did not even ask me to send the old one back. I shall return the second defective one to West Marine for a refund. I took the sending unit out of the new one and it had a tapered edge cut in the soft plastic hose. Not sure but the hard plastic hose seems to be thicker then the other one. If this one does not work I will fabricate something the replace the entire pickup tube, what do I have to loose?
Sean
lhg posted 07-31-2003 10:52 PM ET (US)
Did Tempo indicate what was defective in the tank? I'd like to check for same condition in mine.
SSILVER posted 07-31-2003 11:02 PM ET (US)
Do you have the same [problem]? I am guessing I will still have the same [problem] with the new one. They only said they think [the tank] must [have been] defective? There is not too much to a gas tank: a tube that goes to the bottom. No check valve like some have talked about. I checked the new tank for debris and plastic shavings; there were none. Same as the others. I think the issue is the inefficient 90 HP Merc. I like the engine and have a spare power head so I do not see a different one in my future. Like someone else said I can buy a lot of gas for what a new outboard costs. Most of my boating is on a 35 mile lake in upstate NY so 27/28 gallons is lots of driving for me. I will get the tank problem resolved soon, in the meantime I have a siphon pump and a 6-gallon tank I fill up when needed. Gives me time to have a beer or drown a worm :-)
lhg posted 08-01-2003 01:01 AM ET (US)
Have you checked the engine for problems? Stator, trigger or fuel pump? I'm betting on the engine, not the tank.
Whalerdan posted 08-01-2003 03:41 AM ET (US)
I too am impressed with Tempo's customer service. On my tank the rubber gasket was cracking very bad. I sent them an e-mail and they replied right away asking for my address to send me a new one. Got it in the mail in a few days. Still not too sure about their product, but their service is top notch. Where else can you find a tank of this size for the price?
jimh posted 08-01-2003 08:34 AM ET (US)
The real issue is the quality control of TEMPO fuel system products. Apparently the customer is the final quality inspector. It was nice that they provided a new tank, shipped at no charge, but I would be more impressed if I read reports that people never had any problems with TEMPO fuel system components.
Dick posted 08-01-2003 09:17 AM ET (US)
I think I can attest to the quality of Tempo products. I have been selling their products for over 30 years both wholesale and retail. In my years selling wholesale I put out thousands of their tanks, had a few problems with some of the 6 gallon plastics but never a problem with one of the larger ones. On the retail side I have never had a problem with any of their tanks.
Dick
SSILVER posted 08-01-2003 12:07 PM ET (US)
LHG - No engine issues see other posts. 6 Gallon tanks work well only issues w/ high rpm or high fuel demands.
jimh posted 08-01-2003 12:37 PM ET (US)
Just another data point on Tempo products: I bought a Tempo tank that the catalogue said would fit under the seat of a Whaler--it didn't. I had to take it back, get a credit, etc. Then I bought a Tempo 6-gallon tank pre-rigged with a Mercury fuel connector at the engine end of the hose. The tank was on a "spring special" price, so it was attractive from a money standpoint (i.e., cheaper than assembling all the components yourself). The plastic connector was awful and very hard to fit to the engine. I had to replace it with a Mercury OEM metal connector. The OEM metal connector was much easier to mate to the engine. So I ended up buying a separate connector after all.
After a year or two of use, the hose on the Tempo tank became very stiff. The boat is stored in a garage under a fitted canvas cover, so I don't think it was affected by sunlight. It was probably affected by alcohol in the gasoline, which is very common in the midwest. Now I need to replace the hose. The primer bulb leaks, and I probably need to replace it, too.
To get the Tempo tank back in service after just a couple of years, I will have replaced all the components of the system except the plastic tank itself. As the kids say, "Arg".
I also have an Attwood tank, which I believes dates from the boat's original purchase, 1976. The hose is still flexible and the connector on the line, while plastic, fits much better than the Tempo ever did. As the kids say, "Go figure."
This is just a random data sample of my Tempo experience, and you can make your own inferences.
If Tempo has been in business for 25-30 years, their products must be serviceable and their support decent, else they would have been driven out of business long ago. So the theory goes.
ducktwin posted 08-01-2003 02:17 PM ET (US)
Having been in the automotive industry for 25 plus years, I can honestly say that there is no comparison for OEM quality. The makers of the vehicle have a vested interest in making sure that quality parts go on their vehicles. They are the ones paying the warranty claims, not aftermarket suppliers.
With that said, boats are a bit different. They are a conglomeration of parts (many generic) offered by companies to almost all the builders.
As far as fuel tank equipment goes, this is not a place to scrimp. There are too many nasty things that can happen with a fuel system that has integrity concerns.
I always buy OEM connectors and primer bulbs. The hoses I make up from USCG rated bulk hose from a marine supplier.
The result, no leaks, no hardening and no integrity concerns. The downside is a bit more expense. The upside is a quality component that I can make any length I want.
On the fuel starvation potential problem, this is not a good thing for that engine. We all know what happens to a 2 cycle engine that is running lean.
I did not catch if the poster that is having the concern is using an aftermarket engine connection. If so, I suspect that is where his issue really is. As jimh mentioned, he's had trouble with them too. I have had aftermarket connectors cause air leaks at the inlet.
SSILVER posted 08-04-2003 12:58 PM ET (US)
As I suspected, the new tank has the same issue at RPM's above 4K. Wanted to see if anyone had ideas for a custom pickup tube, before I start. Also wanted to see how others have attatched the fuel line to the tank. Because I wanted the tank take up as little usable deck space as possible the tank is installed directly under the RPS. The tank has a 3/8" 3" long nipple coming out w/ 90 degree elbow w/ and the female Merc quick connect facing down. Originaly tried w/out the 90 but the female quick connect leaked when the fuel hose was disonected during filing and thought the fuel hose itself could easily kink because it must bend down to go through the access hole midship to the stern. I believe a vacum was created and the check valve wanted to be in the down position. I was thinking about using 1/2 copper tubing w/ fittings sweated on duplicating the current setup. (Obviously would not do this while attatched or near the tank) Then when cooled and pressure tested, use the exsisting plastic cover drill it out to fit and use something like JB Weld or other epoxy, maybe marine tex? to seal and make permanent. I would really like to make this work and thought about sweating another 90 at the bottum of the pickup tube and smashing the end a bit so I could use most all the gas in the tank and ensure the pickup tube entrance is not blocked by the bottum of the tank. I need retain the quick connects if I want to keep it all the way under the RPS, so connecting the fuel hose directly to the tank would not work, also if the tank is moved from directly under the seat more then a few inches it looks like tank itself would actually sit on the rubber fuel hose possibly causing another fuel issue. I have an external fuel filter after the primer bulb so I am not concerned about putting a screen at the end of the pickup and there is not one now anyway.
lhg posted 08-04-2003 03:58 PM ET (US)
Suggest having a Mercury service technician check out the engine. It seems inconceivable that all of these Tempo tanks are bad, and that the problem only shows up at 3800 RPM. That's about the speed an in-line 6 acts up if the stator is bad.
SSILVER posted 08-04-2003 04:04 PM ET (US)
LHG
Only w/ 27 Gallon tanks, Merc 6 gallon tank works well.
Dick posted 08-04-2003 09:28 PM ET (US)
I think it is impossible to have the same problem with so many tanks and if the engine runs fine on a 6 gallon tank I suspect that it is in the installation
You mention a 3" nipple with a 90, eliminate that and screw the QD directly into the tank fitting. If you had one that leaked it was deffective. With the male QD removed a good female QD will not leak. On the tank end of my hose I used Chrysler/Force fittings as they are very compact and durable.
Dick
jerseyron posted 08-05-2003 01:46 PM ET (US)
Not sure if it may be part of your problem but from all I have read, the primer bulb should be between the filter and the motor,(someone correct me if I am wrong)not prior to the filter. Optimum would have the bulb no more than 18 inches from the motor. As the Mercs love to guzzle, what size fuel line are you using?
SSILVER posted 08-08-2003 10:14 PM ET (US)
Tried Dicks advice removed the 90 elbow and went for a quick trip on the river and it seems fine! Never thought the 90 would cause so much resistance. Like I mentioned in previous posts, the primer bulb went completly flat. Thanks for your advice.
Sean
Dick posted 08-09-2003 11:30 AM ET (US)
Sean
Glad that worked for you.
Dick

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Author	Topic: Tempo Fuel Tank [problems]
SSILVER	posted 07-20-2003 10:35 PM ET (US) Anyone have [problems] using the 27 gallon Tempo tank. I have an inline Merc 90 HP and when I run above 3800 RPM's the primer bulb deflates and the engine starves for fuel? I have replaced the fuel line, bulb and connectors and even tried running w/ out a vent cap and fuel cap at all temporarily. I removed the access cover and checked the pickup line for debris or blockage and it looks good. This [problem] happened last week on Friday night and did not happen again on Sat-Sun-Mon. This week the [problem] will not go away. I tried the old 6 gallon tank and the engine ran fine. I am thinking maybe the pickup line is to close to the bottum of the tank and preventing the hose from filling to capicity? I plan on checking the pickup line at home in the garage but thought I would see if anyone else had any [problems] like this.
Dick	posted 07-20-2003 10:46 PM ET (US) I run the same tank and have never had a problem. Sounds like you ran it with the cap off, that would eliminate a vent problem. Pull the pick up out of the tank and check it, that may be the problem, it could be clogged. What did you use to seal the threads when you installed the hose connection in the tank? Dick
SSILVER	posted 07-20-2003 11:00 PM ET (US) I tried running w/ the cap off, thought the low profile cap I was using may have been the culprit, no dice same [problem] w/ cap off. I used teflon tape on the nipple into the tank. If it was sucking air I do not think the primer bulb would go flat. I checked the pickup tube for obstructions/debris nothing. I am going to check and make sure its not on touching the bottum of the tank and limiting the amount of gas it can allow to flow. I do not think its something floating around in the tank becasue the [problem] only happens at RPMs above 3800 or so.
JBCornwell	posted 07-21-2003 12:02 AM ET (US) Issue? You don't have an issue, SSilver, you have a problem or a fault. There is an antisiphon valve in the pickup. It is probably stuck. Remove the pickup assembly and try blowing air through the pickup tube to the outlet. Red sky at night. . . JB
Macman	posted 07-21-2003 07:58 AM ET (US) SS...I had the exact same problem with that tank.. I tried everything that you have tried, and nothing worked. I returned it and went back to my old 19 gallon Tempo. Very frustrating, eh?
SSILVER	posted 07-21-2003 12:49 PM ET (US) I just called West Marine they have one instock and I am going to drain whats left in the one at home exchange it and cross my fingers!!! and bring a six gallon and a siphon pump out this week. Hopefully its a defective pickup and problem solved. Thanks for your input.
SSILVER	posted 07-21-2003 12:50 PM ET (US) Forgot to ask is teflon tape the thread sealer to use w/ brass and plastic fittings?
whalertex	posted 07-21-2003 01:16 PM ET (US) If you can get to a bass proshop in person, or wait for it to ship, they charge about $75.00 less for the Tempo 27gal tank. Of course shipping charges probably decrease the savings. Check their website and maybe West Marine would match that price?
lhg	posted 07-21-2003 01:39 PM ET (US) Mercury generally recommends removing anti-siphon valves whenever they are encountered. They are notorious for problems. Bad primer bulbs can also cause these problems.
Bigshot	posted 07-21-2003 01:44 PM ET (US) Your pickup tube might be soft and when you suck too much fuel it collapses.
SSILVER	posted 07-21-2003 06:01 PM ET (US) West Marine matched the Bass Pro price $99.00 + $8.58 tax better then shipping. Interesting thought Bigshot, (Your pickup tube might be soft and when you suck too much fuel it collapses) I will have to look and see if the [problem] continues I may be able to use a diffrent piece of hose or put a piece of rigid tube at the end. Thanks again!
acseatsri	posted 07-21-2003 08:49 PM ET (US) Try cutting a slight angle on the bottom of the pickup tube. This will ensure that it isn't hitting the bottom of the tank.
jimh	posted 07-22-2003 11:56 PM ET (US) On a number of occassions there have been reports that TEMPO brand primer bulbs were replaced with OEM products (from Mercury, OMC, or Yamaha) and noticeable improvement in the fuel system operation was obtained. My recommendation is to use OEM connectors and OEM primer bulbs. In particular, I have had much better results with Mercury components for these parts of the fuel system than I have with TEMPO brand. [Also, replaced "issue" with "problem" in about seven locations.]
Dick	posted 07-23-2003 01:43 AM ET (US) SSILVER There has been lots of advice here, some good and some bad. Above deck tanks do not have antisiphon valves unless the consumer adds one, if you did throw it away. Antisiphon valves are not required on outboard installations even for an under deck fuel tank. Do you have a water seperating fuel filter? If so have you replaced the filter element? Do not cut the pickup tube at an angle, you will loose the filter screen at the bottom of the pick up tube. Is there one there? I have seen many plastic tanks with debris left from drilling the holes, this could be the problem and you wouldn't be able to see it from looking down the fuel sender opening. The pickup tube hitting the bottom of the tank would be no problem as the last inch or so is the filter screen. Which will allow plenty of fuel flow. No problem using teflon tape or liquid teflon on the fittings, silicone is a no no. It looks like from everything that has bee done to correct the problem that the tank is causing it. I would recomend installing a water seperating fuel filter, it will also stop the crap in the tank from reaching the engine. Merc, OMC & Sierra all good and in the $35.00 to $40.00 range, cheap insurance. When you get the new tank dump a little kerosene or diesel into it, slosh it around and then dump it before installing and filling with fuel. Dick
SSILVER	posted 07-23-2003 09:40 PM ET (US) Picked up a new tank from West Marine yesterday. Before attatching my fuel fitting I sucked on the tube and found it was air tight. I peeked inside the tank and could see the pickup tube was flush to the bottum. I removed the pickup tube which is hard plastic w/ a short piece of soft tubing all the way to the bottum creating an airtight seal. I cut about a 1/8" off the bottum and installed the new tank. Also installed an in-line fuel filter after the bulb. My only regret is I wasted a couple of hours and $40.00 bucks buying hose and fittings I did not need, I should have checked the other tank for that problem first. The strange thing is the original tank worked great for the first few weeks acted up on a Friday then worked Sat-Sun and Monday. Went to use the boat the next weekend and the issue came back. I swithced to a six gallon tank for a few hours then back to the 28 and problem dissapeared for the rest of the day and then happened again the next day. If I had a fuel sipping 4 stroke probally would not have been an issue at all! Oh well now I have a 28 gallon tank that can not use the last gallon but is still better then 2 six gallon tanks. Thank you all for your input. I will hopefully post a problem resolved update on Sunday night or Monday, heading back to the lake for 4 days tomorrow!! Take care. Sean
SSILVER	posted 07-27-2003 09:52 PM ET (US) Still same [problem]. I went as far as removing the soft plastic hose from the pickup and still have high RPM issues. Back to the drawing board!! I may endup w/ 2 12 gallon tanks. Ended up siphoning to the old 6 gallon this weekend. Bit of a pain but better then running back for more gas every few hours.
Sal DiMercurio	posted 07-27-2003 10:48 PM ET (US) Tempo tanks are notorious for having poly shavings in them caused by the people who drilled the holes [ and cleaned the holes ] & installed the fittings. The shavings collect around the bottom of the pickup in the tank when your poring the coals to the engine. At lower rpms the demand for fuel is less & enough fuel flows through to allow the engine to run normal. All you had to do was flush the tank with fuel & turn it upside down to drain out. You would really be surprised as to how much shavings comes out. Sal
SSILVER	posted 07-31-2003 10:31 PM ET (US) I am impressed w/ Tempo Customer Service. I sent an email describing the [problem] and recieved a reply. The email was bounced around the company to a few people, and they said it was a defective tank and sent me a BRAND NEW ONE. Got it yesterday and installed this evening. They did not even ask me to send the old one back. I shall return the second defective one to West Marine for a refund. I took the sending unit out of the new one and it had a tapered edge cut in the soft plastic hose. Not sure but the hard plastic hose seems to be thicker then the other one. If this one does not work I will fabricate something the replace the entire pickup tube, what do I have to loose? Sean
lhg	posted 07-31-2003 10:52 PM ET (US) Did Tempo indicate what was defective in the tank? I'd like to check for same condition in mine.
SSILVER	posted 07-31-2003 11:02 PM ET (US) Do you have the same [problem]? I am guessing I will still have the same [problem] with the new one. They only said they think [the tank] must [have been] defective? There is not too much to a gas tank: a tube that goes to the bottom. No check valve like some have talked about. I checked the new tank for debris and plastic shavings; there were none. Same as the others. I think the issue is the inefficient 90 HP Merc. I like the engine and have a spare power head so I do not see a different one in my future. Like someone else said I can buy a lot of gas for what a new outboard costs. Most of my boating is on a 35 mile lake in upstate NY so 27/28 gallons is lots of driving for me. I will get the tank problem resolved soon, in the meantime I have a siphon pump and a 6-gallon tank I fill up when needed. Gives me time to have a beer or drown a worm :-)
lhg	posted 08-01-2003 01:01 AM ET (US) Have you checked the engine for problems? Stator, trigger or fuel pump? I'm betting on the engine, not the tank.
Whalerdan	posted 08-01-2003 03:41 AM ET (US) I too am impressed with Tempo's customer service. On my tank the rubber gasket was cracking very bad. I sent them an e-mail and they replied right away asking for my address to send me a new one. Got it in the mail in a few days. Still not too sure about their product, but their service is top notch. Where else can you find a tank of this size for the price?
jimh	posted 08-01-2003 08:34 AM ET (US) The real issue is the quality control of TEMPO fuel system products. Apparently the customer is the final quality inspector. It was nice that they provided a new tank, shipped at no charge, but I would be more impressed if I read reports that people never had any problems with TEMPO fuel system components.
Dick	posted 08-01-2003 09:17 AM ET (US) I think I can attest to the quality of Tempo products. I have been selling their products for over 30 years both wholesale and retail. In my years selling wholesale I put out thousands of their tanks, had a few problems with some of the 6 gallon plastics but never a problem with one of the larger ones. On the retail side I have never had a problem with any of their tanks. Dick
SSILVER	posted 08-01-2003 12:07 PM ET (US) LHG - No engine issues see other posts. 6 Gallon tanks work well only issues w/ high rpm or high fuel demands.
jimh	posted 08-01-2003 12:37 PM ET (US) Just another data point on Tempo products: I bought a Tempo tank that the catalogue said would fit under the seat of a Whaler--it didn't. I had to take it back, get a credit, etc. Then I bought a Tempo 6-gallon tank pre-rigged with a Mercury fuel connector at the engine end of the hose. The tank was on a "spring special" price, so it was attractive from a money standpoint (i.e., cheaper than assembling all the components yourself). The plastic connector was awful and very hard to fit to the engine. I had to replace it with a Mercury OEM metal connector. The OEM metal connector was much easier to mate to the engine. So I ended up buying a separate connector after all. After a year or two of use, the hose on the Tempo tank became very stiff. The boat is stored in a garage under a fitted canvas cover, so I don't think it was affected by sunlight. It was probably affected by alcohol in the gasoline, which is very common in the midwest. Now I need to replace the hose. The primer bulb leaks, and I probably need to replace it, too. To get the Tempo tank back in service after just a couple of years, I will have replaced all the components of the system except the plastic tank itself. As the kids say, "Arg". I also have an Attwood tank, which I believes dates from the boat's original purchase, 1976. The hose is still flexible and the connector on the line, while plastic, fits much better than the Tempo ever did. As the kids say, "Go figure." This is just a random data sample of my Tempo experience, and you can make your own inferences. If Tempo has been in business for 25-30 years, their products must be serviceable and their support decent, else they would have been driven out of business long ago. So the theory goes.
ducktwin	posted 08-01-2003 02:17 PM ET (US) Having been in the automotive industry for 25 plus years, I can honestly say that there is no comparison for OEM quality. The makers of the vehicle have a vested interest in making sure that quality parts go on their vehicles. They are the ones paying the warranty claims, not aftermarket suppliers. With that said, boats are a bit different. They are a conglomeration of parts (many generic) offered by companies to almost all the builders. As far as fuel tank equipment goes, this is not a place to scrimp. There are too many nasty things that can happen with a fuel system that has integrity concerns. I always buy OEM connectors and primer bulbs. The hoses I make up from USCG rated bulk hose from a marine supplier. The result, no leaks, no hardening and no integrity concerns. The downside is a bit more expense. The upside is a quality component that I can make any length I want. On the fuel starvation potential problem, this is not a good thing for that engine. We all know what happens to a 2 cycle engine that is running lean. I did not catch if the poster that is having the concern is using an aftermarket engine connection. If so, I suspect that is where his issue really is. As jimh mentioned, he's had trouble with them too. I have had aftermarket connectors cause air leaks at the inlet.
SSILVER	posted 08-04-2003 12:58 PM ET (US) As I suspected, the new tank has the same issue at RPM's above 4K. Wanted to see if anyone had ideas for a custom pickup tube, before I start. Also wanted to see how others have attatched the fuel line to the tank. Because I wanted the tank take up as little usable deck space as possible the tank is installed directly under the RPS. The tank has a 3/8" 3" long nipple coming out w/ 90 degree elbow w/ and the female Merc quick connect facing down. Originaly tried w/out the 90 but the female quick connect leaked when the fuel hose was disonected during filing and thought the fuel hose itself could easily kink because it must bend down to go through the access hole midship to the stern. I believe a vacum was created and the check valve wanted to be in the down position. I was thinking about using 1/2 copper tubing w/ fittings sweated on duplicating the current setup. (Obviously would not do this while attatched or near the tank) Then when cooled and pressure tested, use the exsisting plastic cover drill it out to fit and use something like JB Weld or other epoxy, maybe marine tex? to seal and make permanent. I would really like to make this work and thought about sweating another 90 at the bottum of the pickup tube and smashing the end a bit so I could use most all the gas in the tank and ensure the pickup tube entrance is not blocked by the bottum of the tank. I need retain the quick connects if I want to keep it all the way under the RPS, so connecting the fuel hose directly to the tank would not work, also if the tank is moved from directly under the seat more then a few inches it looks like tank itself would actually sit on the rubber fuel hose possibly causing another fuel issue. I have an external fuel filter after the primer bulb so I am not concerned about putting a screen at the end of the pickup and there is not one now anyway.
lhg	posted 08-04-2003 03:58 PM ET (US) Suggest having a Mercury service technician check out the engine. It seems inconceivable that all of these Tempo tanks are bad, and that the problem only shows up at 3800 RPM. That's about the speed an in-line 6 acts up if the stator is bad.
SSILVER	posted 08-04-2003 04:04 PM ET (US) LHG Only w/ 27 Gallon tanks, Merc 6 gallon tank works well.
Dick	posted 08-04-2003 09:28 PM ET (US) I think it is impossible to have the same problem with so many tanks and if the engine runs fine on a 6 gallon tank I suspect that it is in the installation You mention a 3" nipple with a 90, eliminate that and screw the QD directly into the tank fitting. If you had one that leaked it was deffective. With the male QD removed a good female QD will not leak. On the tank end of my hose I used Chrysler/Force fittings as they are very compact and durable. Dick
jerseyron	posted 08-05-2003 01:46 PM ET (US) Not sure if it may be part of your problem but from all I have read, the primer bulb should be between the filter and the motor,(someone correct me if I am wrong)not prior to the filter. Optimum would have the bulb no more than 18 inches from the motor. As the Mercs love to guzzle, what size fuel line are you using?
SSILVER	posted 08-08-2003 10:14 PM ET (US) Tried Dicks advice removed the 90 elbow and went for a quick trip on the river and it seems fine! Never thought the 90 would cause so much resistance. Like I mentioned in previous posts, the primer bulb went completly flat. Thanks for your advice. Sean
Dick	posted 08-09-2003 11:30 AM ET (US) Sean Glad that worked for you. Dick