I never got on the water last year. I used fuel stabilizer (Stabil) when putting it up. Fast forward to this summer. I serviced motors, new external fuel filter, oil change, new water pump and new zincs on the df115. Oil change on the 9.9. Ran them both on the hose, no issues. Made changes to the external fuel filter/water separator to allow me to run the 9.9 from the fuel filter and to hook the 6 gallon external tank through the filter for main or kicker. Also added the ability to steer the kicker from steering console. These were things I had put off doing.
In early July my wife and I took the 8 y/o grandson fishing. A little windy so we ducked into humpy cove to do some rock fishing. Boat was running good. This was a test run for a 3 day family trip staying at Miller’s Landing. We got into the fish with my grandson boating 6 in about an hour. He had a blast.
Got ready to leave and boat wouldn’t run. It would start and die as soon as I put it in gear. Tried multiple times. Tried pumping the fuel bulb until it was tight. I put a new fuel filter on even though it was brand new as it seemed to be a fuel issue.
Ok, I wasn’t that far out, I’ll come in on kicker. Hooked it up, started it and heading in. I forgot to crack the external tank vent so motor died. No problem as soon as it happened I knew why. I opened the vent and pulled that damn rope until I was blue in the face and couldn’t get it to start. I think it was flooded.
I pulled the cover off the main and tried starting again. I noticed the high pressure filter had about an inch of air at the top. I squeezed the bulb until it was full and started it. Put it in gear and it headed in. Ran at about 10 or 12 miles an hour. Higher than that the motor seemed to be fuel starved. We made it in no other issues, just slow. Grandson had a blast and was not aware of any issue.
After I got home I researched what it could be. Added some fuel conditioner to the fuel in the tank. I thought it might be the high pressure pump. Couldn’t find one in town, would need to order one. The high pressure filter had air in the top 1 1/2”. Never noticed if that was normal. I had never changed it in the last 12 years and I had one on hand so changed it out. Motor ran fine at idle and high idle.
The 9.9 started first pull, no issues.
Went back to Seward in mid July. Main started right up and ran good. 9.9 started first pull. Put about 60 miles on the motor taking 5 cousins between the age of 3 to 12 fishing. Ran at 25 to 28 mph no issue. Again with that many little ones went back to protected cove. Fished about 3 hours, everyone caught fish, enough for a good meal of fish tacos at camp.
All I can guess is that the high pressure filter clogged up and caused the problem. I have another one on the boat if I need it in the future.
Trying to find time to get out again to chase salmon.
