Scout Boats 245 Abaco, Owner'S Manual

Page: 36 / 135

36
WARNING
3.4 Fuel System Maintenance
Periodically inspect all primer bulbs, connections,
clamps and hoses for leakage and damage or
deterioration. Replace as necessary. Spray the
valves, tank fuel gauge sender and ground con-
nections with a metal protector. Removable ac-
cess plates in the cockpit sole provide access to
the fuel gauge sender, fuel tank fittings and tank
ground connection.
Frequently inspect and lubricate the fuel fill cap
O-ring seal with Teflon or silicone grease. The
O-ring seal prevents water from entering the fuel
system through the fuel fill cap and should be im-
mediately replaced if there is any sign of damage
or deterioration.
The fuel vent screen should be clear and free
from corrosion and salt buildup. The screen will
prevent insects and other foreign matter from
contaminating the fuel and fuel system. Fuel vent
should be replaced if the vent or screen are dam-
aged or badly corroded. Fuel vent screens that
are clogged will prevent the fuel tank from venting
properly and make filling the fuel tank difficult or
cause fuel supply problems to the engine.
Contaminated fuel may cause serious damage to
your engines. Fuel filters must be checked for
corrosion and deterioration frequently. Fuel filters
must be changed at least once a season or more
frequently depending on the type of engines and
the quality of the fuel. Please refer to the engine
or fuel filter manufacturer’s instructions for infor-
mation on servicing and replacing the fuel filter.
The age of gasoline can effect engine performance.
Chemical changes occur as the gasoline ages that
can cause deposits and varnish in the fuel system
as well as reduce the octane rating of the fuel.
Severely degraded fuel can damage the engine
and boat fuel tank and lines. Therefore, if your
boat is not being run enough to require at least
one full tank of fresh fuel a month, a fuel stabilizer
should be added to the gasoline to protect the
fuel from degradation. Your dealer or the engine
manufacturer can provide additional information
on fuel degradation and fuel stabilizers recom-
mended for your engine.
Avoid using fuels with alcohol additives. Gasoline
that is an alcohol blend will absorb moisture from
the air which can reach such concentrations that
“phase separation” can occur whereby the water
and alcohol mixture becomes heavy enough to
settle out of the gasoline to the bottom of the
tank. Since the fuel pick up tubes are very near
the bottom of the tank, phase separation can
cause engines to run very poorly or not at all.
This condition is more severe with methyl alcohol
and will worsen as the alcohol content increases.
Water or a jelly like substance in fuel filters are
an indication of phase separation from the use of
alcohol blended fuels.
DO NOT DRAIN ANY FUEL INTO THE BILGE WHEN SERVICING
THE FUEL SYSTEM. THIS COULD LEAD TO A FIRE OR
EXPLOSION.
AFTER THE FILTER ELEMENT HAS BEEN CHANGED, PRIME
THE FUEL SYSTEM AND CHECK ALL FITTINGS FOR LEAKS
BEFORE AND AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE, ALWAYS OPEN ALL HATCHES,
WINDOWS, AND DOORS TO COMPLETELY VENTILATE THE
BOAT AFTER SERVICING THE FUEL SYSTEM.