posted 07-10-2009 10:47 PM ET (US)
The 2003 Yamaha 90-HP two-cycle engine on my 1989 Montauk has been occasionally starving for fuel. While both idling and running at speed it has either sputtered or died. The story:This spring I replaced the water separating filter assembly after ethanol destroyed the bowl on the previous one I used for 13 years. I also replaced the fuel fittings at the engine and tank. This is when the problem started. But if I connect the motor to the tank directly with the stock Yamaha fuel line, circumventing he filter assembly, lines and connectors, the engine runs fine.
I phoned the filter manufacturer, suspicious of the new filter assembly and was advised to replace the bulb and lines. I did this by installing a new 3/8-inch universal assembly.
After this replacement, the motor is still having difficulty with fuel flow. The vents on the tanks are open and fine.
The new filter assembly has about three hours of run time on it. Is it likely the the filter is restricting the fuel flow?
Last week, when idling, the motor ran the bulb dry and stalled. After pumping it up, the motor started right up and then ran at speed on the river just fine.
Can anyone give me an idea of what is happening? The filter manufacturer is sending a replacement assembly after discussing this with me a few days ago.
Thanks--Jim.