Fuel help

[Bjpapenheim]

So i recently bought a 97 speedster. It t had clearly been sitting a while. So i drained the fuel(pic incl) and added new.took it out today and both engines were running pretty rough, so im looking for advice on what all i need to change or clean, like filters etc. My 1st jet boat so any help would be appreciated. Thank you. Oh also, apparently my steering wheel doesnt work at all, it spins freely but does absolutely nothing so advice is welcome. Thanks

 

[rusty nail]

Too clean your fuel system these are the components you will need to address in no particular order.

-Carbs (remove and clean with genuine OEM mikuni carb kits) there are threads dedicated to walking you through this processs
-replace Fuel lines. (original fuel lines are known to break down and clog up fuel system)
-Fuel filters (these are white inline filters that come off the fuel tank, cannot be cleaned....replace)
-fuel selector. mixed reviews on cleaning this, or replacing. others can chime in on this

The steering is controlled by a cable. you can open up the hood above the steering wheel, remove the basket and see inside if the cable is moving when you operate the steering wheel. if yes, then have someone turn the steering wheel and you go to the back and see if the cable is moving that comes out of the transom and connects to the nozzle that directs the water allowing you to turn. if not, then your cable is broken and needs to be replaced. these cables do break.

 

[WhiteZombie]

Too clean your fuel system these are the components you will need to address in no particular order.

-Carbs (remove and clean with genuine OEM mikuni carb kits) there are threads dedicated to walking you through this processs
-replace Fuel lines. (original fuel lines are known to break down and clog up fuel system)
-Fuel filters (these are white inline filters that come off the fuel tank, cannot be cleaned....replace)
-fuel selector. mixed reviews on cleaning this, or replacing. others can chime in on this

The steering is controlled by a cable. you can open up the hood above the steering wheel, remove the basket and see inside if the cable is moving when you operate the steering wheel. if yes, then have someone turn the steering wheel and you go to the back and see if the cable is moving that comes out of the transom and connects to the nozzle that directs the water allowing you to turn. if not, then your cable is broken and needs to be replaced. these cables do break.

Rusty Nail, do you have some kind of paper filter media in your filter bowls? Mine are more of a plastic strainer than a filter, and they cleaned up nice.

 

[rusty nail]

So the concern with either a "cleaned" filter or aftermarket(which you may have) is that at WOT your fuel pump is not able to pull the fuel through it fast enough and you can starve the engine of fuel. My advice is that make sure your tank is really clean and then purchase new fuel filters....they are cheap. the fuel filters are directional so make sure the little arrow points in the right direction.

 

[WhiteZombie]

So the concern with either a "cleaned" filter or aftermarket(which you may have) is that at WOT your fuel pump is not able to pull the fuel through it fast enough and you can starve the engine of fuel. My advice is that make sure your tank is really clean and then purchase new fuel filters....they are cheap. the fuel filters are directional so make sure the little arrow points in the right direction.

I must have a different setup. Mine sit in bowls and is just a cylinder type filter, so there is nothing directional about it- you just push it up on the assembly and screw in the bowl. I do have what is pictured in the manual. I can see where there would be concern on what you are saying tho as the mesh is delicate.
Since you brought it up, how is the best way to check the fuel tank? The fill tube is on the far right side so only can get a limited view, and the fuel sender unit hoses look too short to remove it without removing the hoses. I have all factory style hose clamps and kinda like how tiddy they look to remove it just for the heck of it. But if I do recall correct someone has said something on the forum about maybe needing to clean a float in the sender. But still seems like a limited view. I do have black hoses to answer that popular question.
Please advise.
Sorry to hijack the post, but honestly I have a couple post that no one seems to be looking at, so maybe I'm putting in the wrong forum area. Thanks

 

[rusty nail]

i have never dealt with fuel that looks that bad(it almost looks like it came from the oil reservoir)....when i pump out a tank i purchased an automotive 12v fuel pump. ..... connect a long length of fuel line to the pump that goes into the boat and the other side of the pump connect another long length you can send into a pail. Send 8ft+ of fuel line into the tank through the fill location and just keep working it around until it no longer pulls any more fuel out.....you could even add fresh fuel and repeat until everything looks clean that you are pulling out. others in this forum may chime in and have better ways.

 

[Bjpapenheim]

i have never dealt with fuel that looks that bad(it almost looks like it came from the oil reservoir)....when i pump out a tank i purchased an automotive 12v fuel pump. ..... connect a long length of fuel line to the pump that goes into the boat and the other side of the pump connect another long length you can send into a pail. Send 8ft+ of fuel line into the tank through the fill location and just keep working it around until it no longer pulls any more fuel out.....you could even add fresh fuel and repeat until everything looks clean that you are pulling out. others in this forum may chime in and have better ways.

That definitely was in the fuel tank, and i just used one of those harbor freight battery powered liquid transfer pumps and it actually does a great job, ive since replaced it with new gas, 2 new inline filters and took it out for a run twice now. It actually runs great and both engines pop off immediately when button is pushed. Thanks for the help everyone

 

[rusty nail]

Glad it worked out. Happy boating