First Service, Cost.

After thought,
Is there any point in carrying fuel filters for a petrol boat.?



<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.hamptonandmcmurray.co.uk>Hampton and McMurray</A>

Petrol Rules..
 
Snap!

Actually, I think it is very sensible to carry some sort of portable fuel container (c/w fuel!), perhaps a small external outboard tank is ideal, with a valved hose and jubilee clip pre-attached, ready to fit straight onto the engine fuel filter inlet.

No doubt I'll wish I had one ready at some point in the future when my engine cuts out through fuel starvation! (Suppose for a diesel you'd need to configure a return hose also).

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Apologies, forgot you two are north of Southampton! /forums/images/icons/blush.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>How much to fill'er up!
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curious... I got billed for removing the leg on first service to check the alignment on former Merc.. Bit rich, I thought, to have to pay for them to check they wont be hit on a warranty issue. So my first service came to 300 odd. Better drive up to Scotland....

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The previous owner of my boat did, although he never had an occassion to use it - had it replaced at next service though.

With mine, it's fully sealed, so sea water is unable to penetrate, so unless I get contaminated petrol I can't really see the point.

<hr width=100% size=1>How much to fill'er up!
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Surely with filters, it's just a case of buying your next service exchange requirement a bit 'early'. Your going to need one soon enough anyway, and you may as well carry it around on the boat 'just in case'.

Also, I'ts amazing how long some 'routine' spares can take to procure, and at least having one in-stock, can save cancelling a cruise.



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Running out off fuel should not be an issue for me on the Loch, But what i've noticed is that the fuel guage is useless unless you are stationarry.
When stationary the fuel guage reads what 'may' be in the tank, When the tank gets below half full, and you are cruising the guage will always read half full, even when you are running on vapour!! So to check the fuel guage you need to come of the plane, let the boat settle in the water, read the guage then get back on the plane again, thus wasting more fuel. I presume its because its a sports boat and i am able to trim the bow right up out the water to get max. performance, thus all the fuel rushing to the back of the tank, to where i recon the fuel sender is. Correct???
My answer is to always try and keep the tank over half full..

Am i just unlucky, or is this usual with all boats?



<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.hamptonandmcmurray.co.uk>Hampton and McMurray</A>

Petrol Rules..
 
Following the comments on this post, I've re-read my manual cover to cover, and found no mention of the 'warranty service'.

So I phoned the local Merc mechanic.

He said that they do have a blanket policy of a 20 hour warranty service on all their products. However in his opinion, the leg oil change is very much an overkill, and he has never found any hint of oil degredation or metal bits etc. in a 20 (or even 100 hour) oil change.

I propose to change my engine oil asap, but leave the leg for a while, hoping to coincide with a lift out for other reasons.

I have checked as many of the torque settings I can from inside, and I know the installation alignment was spot on.

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No, you're not unlucky. When full it reads full. After 20 mins it fluctuates between 3/4 and full - you can see the needle swing before your eyes. Another 20mins 1/2 to 3/4. Below 1/2 I get concerned.

I always keep her topped up and have a good idea as the gph she is doing. Am accurate to within a gallon when refuelling.

<hr width=100% size=1>How much to fill'er up!
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It's not so much running out of fuel, as problems with the fuel supply or the fuel itself.

In a newish petrol boat, you are perhaps unlikely to have problems, but there is still a chance of being sold dodgy petrol.

However in older petrol boats (do you remember 'Pollyanna's' post on the brown jelly?), crud and corrosion, mixed with a little water can cause big problems.

You are quickly likely to block the pre-filter(s) if fitted.

I think for the small cost, It's always worth having a portable 'reserve', and if it can be hooked straight up to the carb or whatever on the engine, all the better.

Saves a lot of time and trouble shooting, and gets you mobile again asap.



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Make sure you get your warranty card signed and completed then.

The authorised dealer that looked after mine would only complete the warranty details once the 20 hour was completed!!

<hr width=100% size=1>...but then I would say that wouldn't I.....
 
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