Yamaha F225 fuel issues

[snicker]

Hi all,

I have a 2002 F225 that i bought with the boat used in the summer of 2007. I am in year 3 of having issues with my injectors/VST screen getting clogged and am looking for insight on what to do next?

Summer 2007- Fuel injectors replaced as a condition of buying boat after sea trial revealed an engine that didn't turn up full RPM; this fixed problem and the boat ran great the remainder of season (done around New years)

Spring 2008- Engine was real sluggish when initially splashed in early March. I replaced 10 micron blue spin on filter and the internal filter inside the cowling with no visible problems. Mechanic replaced the VST screen and she ran great for 2 fishing trips......clogged again!. Took it back to mechanic who recommended I pump my fuel tank which I did. He then cleaned the injectors and she ran great the rest of 2008 season. He showed me the VST screen and there was a reddish material that was responsible........he thought this was varnish. The engine did lose some of the top end towards the end of 2008. I put over 100 hours per year and fish from March to the following January.

Spring 2009 - splash the boat in late FEB and she will only top out at 5000 rpms. I treated the fuel with sta bill and ring free and the boat only sat for 8 weeks with out use. Second trip was all day fishing and she got more sluggish as the day wore on to a point where I could barely get up on plane. Took the boat back to the mechanic where she sits today

Any suggestions for what I could do next to address this recurrent problem. I am replacing the fuel /water seperator bracket as I detected rust on the center screw(which goes into filter). I am just trying to eliminate the possible cause of this problem.

[HOTSPOT]

Sounds like you have some remaining varnish in the tank. I would find someone to clean the tank then replace all filters and clean the VST before you fill her up for the first time.

[john gov.]

Snicker,

A Yamaha mechanic told me that after any layup I should buy two spin-on filters (10 micron). Run the engine for about ten minutes with one, then replace it with the second new one. I haven't had any trouble with my 2003 F225 but I think I'll follow that advice.

Hope you get things cleared up.

John Gov.

[HOTSPOT]

Also, switch to a filter with a clear bowl that has a drain ###### on it. This allows you to see what is going on and gives you a drain point.

I use the Racor 10 Micron with the clean drain bowl.

2003 Yamaha F200 with 1300 hours

[Salty Dog]

I assume this 2002 engine is on a 2002 boat. I don't know where you live, but this sounds like a fuel (ethanol) issue. Ethanol is doing a fine job of cleaning out your tank and fuel system. If your area is new to ethanol, you will have this problem until the system cleans itself out. This problem is not only for the boater, but will also occur at some of the lesser used marine fueling stations. This is a pain, but it is not the end of the world. I had to change my VST filters twice before the system cleaned itself out. We have had ethaol in our fuel - CT - for quite some time now and it is rare that you have boats with ethaol issues, unless they are bought out of state from a location that doesn't have ethaol.

It is frustrating. Good luck.

[PFO]

One thing i do after every trip next day i drain the fuel /water seperator,weather i see anything in the bowl or not. I bought my boat in florida and brought her to RI with a full tank of non ethaol gas. I ran her close to empty and refueled a few times in the first 2 weeks and never had any issues.

[snicker]

Also, switch to a filter with a clear bowl that has a drain ###### on it. This allows you to see what is going on and gives you a drain point.

I use the Racor 10 Micron with the clean drain bowl.

2003 Yamaha F200 with 1300 hours

Thanks for your suggestions so far. I like some of these ideas and tips.

The boat is a 2002 as well. I am thinking about making the switch to the RACOR filter with the clear bowl. I don't know if this filter would catch the fine particulate that is clogging up the VST screen or not? Its worth a shot.

90% of the time I get my gas on a land based station with a decent volume...so I don't think that is the issue.

Last spring , the tank was cleaned and the fuel removed. I thought by starting with fresh gas I could eliminate any questions about what the prior owner did with the switchover to ethanol mix gas.

[snicker]

Snicker,

A Yamaha mechanic told me that after any layup I should buy two spin-on filters (10 micron). Run the engine for about ten minutes with one, then replace it with the second new one. I haven't had any trouble with my 2003 F225 but I think I'll follow that advice.

Hope you get things cleared up.

John Gov.

This makes alot of sense. If I do keep the yamaha micron 10 filters (instead of racor), I think I will need to change them more often that I currently do which is about every 30 hours.

[HOTSPOT]

I had to get my injectors cleaned last year too, among other things.

How in the heck does that stuff get past a 10 micron Racor, the engine mounted fuel filter, the F-shaped filter and the VST filter/screen? Bad stuff is all I can say.

I buy my gas from only place now and he still sells the real thing. The one time I bought my gas somewhere else, it cost me most of the summer fishing, blood, sweat, tears, and $3000.

I totally dissected my fuel system. It was frustrating to say the least, especially after 5 years and 1290 hours of flawless operation.

ETHANOL IS CRAP FUEL.

[snicker]

I had to get my injectors cleaned last year too, among other things.

How in the heck does that stuff get past a 10 micron Racor, the engine mounted fuel filter, the F-shaped filter and the VST filter/screen? Bad stuff is all I can say.

I buy my gas from only place now and he still sells the real thing. The one time I bought my gas somewhere else, it cost me most of the summer fishing, blood, sweat, tears, and $3000.

I totally dissected my fuel system. It was frustrating to say the least, especially after 5 years and 1290 hours of flawless operation.

ETHANOL IS CRAP FUEL.

I hope we stop subsidizing the Iowans with their corn fed fuel. My mechanic said the engine still isn't running right after changing all the filters as well as cleaning the fuel injectors. Need to either replace the injectors ($200 per) or get them rebuilt ( $50 per). I opted to get them rebuilt to see if this works before I plunk down the $1,200 (6 cyl). Hope i made the right decision.