Fuel pick-up

[yankee]

Does anyone know where the fuel pick-up is located on the tank of a 99 V190?  I am unable to get any fuel from the tank via the primer bulb.  I was just thinking of replacing everything from the pick-up to the engine.  It is an Atwood brand bulb that was on the boat from the original owner.  Going to go with a mercury primer and replace the fuel/water seperator and the cartridge filter between the fuel pump and carbs.  I am able to get to the fuel tank fill line and the vent along with the sending unit from the access cover on the deck.  I am unable to locate the fuel pick-up.

[yankee]

Since I have a poly tank, is the pick-up incorporated with the tank or is it a seperate mechanism? Could it have rusted off and not picking up the bottom half of the tank. The guage is showing slightly under half a tank?

[Juan]

I always thought the vent was located inside the fuel line (near the gas cap on mine) and the fitting next to the fuel sending unit on top of the tank was the anti siphon valve and pick up tube. Luckily, I've never had to investigate

[yankee]

Exactly what mine looks like...Going have to investigate further.

[yankee]

I disconnected the fuel line from the barbed fitting on the top of the fuel tank. I could feel suction with my thumb over the end of the fuel line while squeezing the primer bulb. Removed the 90 degree fitting from the fitting in the fuel tank and the pick-up tube seems to be in tact. I could not remove it through the tank fitting, thinking there may be a filter on the end inside the tank. I'm not sure if the fitting in the tank unscrews or not?? Right now I am thinking that I may have a bad fuel guage and be out of gas. The sending unit was replaced last summer and I think my guage is about 3 or 4 years old. I think that I will put everything back together and fill the tank and see what happens??

[Juan]

If there's gas in the tank, my guess is the anti siphon valve is closed. I'd remove or replace it and lightly blow air into the pick up tube to be sure it's okay. The anti siphon valve is the barbed fitting. Did the primer bulb collapse and they collapsed with the fuel line connected? While you have it disconnected, plug the fuel line at the tank and prime the bulb. It should collapse. If it doesn't then the fuel pump diaphram could be leaking.

[yankee]

The barbed fitting that the fuel line connects to was nothing more than a barbed fitting. I replaced it and hooked the fuel line back up and the primer bulb got hard with 5 or 6 squeezes. Engine fired right up and seems to be fine. I looked at the 1" or so of fuel line that I trimmed off to get the line off the barbed fitting and there is a nice crack in the line right under the hose clamp. Hope that's all it was.

[Juan]

Since the bulb filled, I'd say you found the culprit. Good work!

[yankee]

So, how does the pick-up tube come out of the tank? I gently tried to unscrew the fitting that is mounted on the top of the tank. I'm not sure if it is removeable or not? Then I gently tried "rocking" the pick-up tube out through the fitting but wasn't making any immediate headway so I quit until I can get more knowledge as to how everything is mounted to the tank. But yes, she is back up and running. Hard to believe that a 1/4" crack in the tubing would stop the flow of fuel.

[freezerfiller]

it is much easier to suck air through that crack than to suck fuel uphill.

[yankee]

I use to have a bit of trouble getting the bulb solid once in a while. The last few times I had to hold the prime bulb vertically to get it to pump anything. After this issue, the bulb became solid with no problem at all. It's nice when you can learn something and it doesn't cost any money.