RC 4.8m Water in fuel problems

ribandlandy · 16 August 2011, 19:53

Evening all,

As above really. I have done about 20 odd hours since owning my Ribcraft and love it to bits but just have had trouble with the water in the fuel symbol flashing on. Twice its happened now. According to the manual the water sensor and filter needs emptying so have done that and solves the problem however it keeps coming back on after about 6 hours use. I have a S/S fuel tank so i know about the condensation but does this have its own water separating filter if so is that causing my problems?? Hope this is enough info sorry its a bit basic. Also been looking for additives to put in the tank such as QS 'Dri -fuel' do these really work and help.

Many thanks in advance.
Si

SPR · 16 August 2011, 20:12

I know it's hard these days, keep your tanks full ... this helps to prevent condensation...

regards

Scott

BumbleAbout · 17 August 2011, 12:09

My outboard is too old to have a water sensor (luxury) but I have added a cheap water separator between the tank and outboard (CAV Diesel Fuel Filter / Glass Water Trap marine boat | eBay) and I find water in the fuel a couple of times a season - more so when filling up from fuel barges than local garages.

Pikey Dave · 17 August 2011, 13:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by ribandlandy

Evening all,

As above really. I have done about 20 odd hours since owning my Ribcraft and love it to bits but just have had trouble with the water in the fuel symbol flashing on. Twice its happened now. According to the manual the water sensor and filter needs emptying so have done that and solves the problem however it keeps coming back on after about 6 hours use. I have a S/S fuel tank so i know about the condensation but does this have its own water separating filter if so is that causing my problems?? Hope this is enough info sorry its a bit basic. Also been looking for additives to put in the tank such as QS 'Dri -fuel' do these really work and help.

Many thanks in advance.
Si

When you empty the filter, is there actually water in there? If so is it salty?

ee lad, tha can't educate pork

ribandlandy · 17 August 2011, 13:34

No there doesnt seem to be water in there. I cant understand how water even gets to the engine filter when the filter from the tank should 'catch' it first? Could it be a tempermental sensor?

Pikey Dave · 17 August 2011, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by ribandlandy

No there doesnt seem to be water in there. I cant understand how water even gets to the engine filter when the filter from the tank should 'catch' it first? Could it be a tempermental sensor?

It's starting to look like it

ee lad, tha can't educate pork

ribandlandy · 17 August 2011, 14:42

Pikey Dave, just ran all the fuel out the bottom of the filter under the console nothing untoward not even a drop of water. So i emptied it into a jar to make sure. Nothing! Guess the sensor is dodgy?

jyasaki · 17 August 2011, 15:12

Usually the sensor is a ring of foam or similar that sinks in gas but floats in water. There is a detector in the housing that triggers when the ring floats up off the bottom.

Could be that the sensor is triggering without anything happening; could also be that the ring is sticking in a positive condition (i.e. not returning to the bottom of the sump.)

Note that if you're getting an alarm, it has to be triggered by a filter with an active detector; third party water separating filters *usually* don't get wired in, and will not trigger any alarm. A quick glance at the filter housing should ID a standalone - there won't be any wires coming off of it.

jky

ribandlandy · 17 August 2011, 15:13

Bloody one thing to another, the engine keeps stalling now!! Primed it up but not drawing any fuel through to the filter under the console its still empty!! It runs for about 30 secs and then stalls. Any suggestions why this is??

ribandlandy · 17 August 2011, 15:16

Thanks for your response. The one under the cowling is the sensored one thinking of changing this for a new unit and see what happens but at the moment cant get any fuel through which is bloody frustrating probably doing something simple, wrong!

willk · 17 August 2011, 15:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by ribandlandy

Bloody one thing to another, the engine keeps stalling now!! Primed it up but not drawing any fuel through to the filter under the console its still empty!! It runs for about 30 secs and then stalls. Any suggestions why this is??

Filter bowl is probably not making a 100% seal on the fitting. Clean off the ring, maybe a light grease or vaselene and retry. It sounds like air is getting in there somewhere.

ribandlandy · 17 August 2011, 16:50

Right sorted all air is out, not quite sealed properly like you said Willk. engine runs like normal. Nothing had any signs of water ingress so maybe a dickie sensor. Many thanks to everyone willl post the result of the sensor.

Richard Selman · 17 August 2011, 17:02

My sensor failed a month or so ago. Float moved but the microswitch was stuck in closed circuit. Started to work again after playing with it for a while but it went again on the next trip. Yamaha replaced it under warantee.

If it goes when on the water you can just unplug the connector on the 6" tail from the filter bowl and the engine will run.

Richard

martini · 17 August 2011, 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

making a 100% seal

Not easy on an RC apparently...

Pikey Dave · 17 August 2011, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

Not easy on an RC apparently...

Ha!

ee lad, tha can't educate pork