Fuel issue resolved!

[intubaited]

After almost 5 months of struggling and six off-shore trips plagued with VST clogging, I ran 200 gallons through it last week without so much as a hiccough.

I know that Yamaha won't condone the use of 2 micron Racors, but that is what it took. I started with a 10 micron Marpac/Sierra and it didn't touch the fallout from the ethanol.

I have burned ethanol fuel off and on for the better part of eight or so years but it caught up to me this spring. I started using Star Tron in April, not saying that was the cause, but I now use nothing but non-ethanol fuel with Yamalube Ring Free.

The 2 micron Racors are 3 times the cost ($23 vs. $8) and I am looking for a vacuum gauge to install on the filter base, but the flow rate on the 2 micron is comparable to the 10 and the Yami ran like new again! The Racor fits the Marpac as well as the Yamaha base if anyone was wondering.

[easy]

intubaited; Are you using the Racor with the spin off see through bottom bowl?

[intubaited]

I am now but started with a solid filter with no bowl. I have to say though that my fuel has always seemed to be clear and the original 10 micron f/w filter never stopped up.

I lifted the bow and pumped the bottom of the tank twice and never had any debris or visible phase separation unless I let the fuel sit open to the air. When I ran it on the water the VST would clog up every 20 gallons or so.

[Deleted]

Sept 25, 2012 19:51:59 GMT -6 intubaited said:

I know that Yamaha won't condone the use of 2 micron Racors, but that is what it took.

just curious .... would their objection be to the brand of filter or the level of filtration ?

Jim

[intubaited]

I think Yamaha as well as some others base it solely on fuel flow. Yamaha and MarPac don't make a 2 micron, so I had to go with Racor and the one that I am using is rated at 60 gph which should be fine.

I believe that lean fuel mixture is probably the #1 cause of catastrophic failure in 2 strokes and from what I have seen, most o/b manufacturers recommend 10 micron filters. That being said, the only difference that I can see between the Yamaha 2 micron VST or a Racor plugging is the difficulty to change or clean the filter.

I'm looking for a vacuum gauge to mount in the fuel line so I can see a clogged filter coming but I just haven't found the right one yet.

[Deleted]

now that you've taken care of the problem and given use of good fuel with an additive you believe it, do you thing going back to a 10 micron filter would be OK

Jim

[intubaited]

I'm going to check the vacuum on the fuel system and if there isn't much difference I think I'll stay with the 2 micron. If there is any doubt though, I'll swap back to the 10.