Scout Boats 350 LXF, Owner'S Manual

Page: 33 / 166

33
Fuel System
WARNING
WARNING
3.5 Fuel System Maintenance
Periodically inspect all primer bulbs, connections,
clamps and hoses for leakage, damage or deterio-
ration. Replace as necessary. Spray the valves,
tank fuel gauge senders and ground connections
with a metal protector.
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 it should be
immediately replaced if there is any sign of dam-
age 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 con-
taminating the fuel and fuel system. The fuel vent
should be replaced if the vent or screen is 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 engines.
Contaminated fuel may cause serious damage
to your engines. The filters must be checked for
water and other contamination frequently. The
filter elements 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 instruc -
tions for information on servicing and replacing
the fuel filter elements.
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 engines,
boat fuel tanks 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 gasoline with alcohol additives. Gaso-
line 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 tanks, phase separation can
cause the 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 the fuel filters
are an indication of phase separation from the use
of alcohol blended fuels.
Algae can grow in the accumulated water in die-
sel fuel tanks. This condition is most prevalent in
warm climates. Periodically adding a high quality
diesel fuel additive containing an algaecide may
be required to control algae in your boating area.
Since algae also can grow in accumulated water
in the fuel filters, it is important to run the gen -
erator for at least 30 minutes after the algaecide
has been added so it will be circulated throughout
the fuel system. This is even more important dur-
ing periods of storage or if the generator is not
used enough to require refueling at least once a
month.
Severe algae in a diesel fuel system can be ex -
tremely difficult and expensive to clean. You
should be diligent in monitoring the fuel system by
checking the filter for water frequently and being
alert for signs of algae in fuel that is drained from
the filter. Most algae appears as black, carpet
like, fibers suspended in fuel and water drained
from the filter. Severe cases of algae will produce
a black jelly like substance that quickly clogs the
filters and starves the engine for fuel.
DO NOT DRAIN ANY FUEL INTO THE BILGE WHEN SERVICING
THE FUEL SYSTEM. THIS COULD LEAD TO A FIRE OR
EXPLOSION.
AFTER THE FILTER ELEMENTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED, PRIME
THE FUEL SYSTEM AND CHECK ALL FITTINGS FOR LEAKS
BEFORE AND AFTER STARTING THE ENGINES.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINES, ALWAYS OPEN ALL
HATCHES, WINDOWS, AND DOORS TO COMPLETELY
VENTILATE THE BOAT AFTER SERVICING THE FUEL SYSTEM.