Odd surging? 96 GTS 587

[Arriva2001]

Hi,
I had my carb cleaned last year (by a reputable sea-doo independent shop/mechanic), and I added an aftermarket inline fuel filter ( a plastic one intended for a high horsepower outboard motor) before my carburetor after having replaced all of the grey fuel lines and fuel selector (this was done by me over the winter). I read a lot of comments on this forum about adding the additional inline fuel filter to prevent future fuel delivery problems if it is replaced often.

Anyway....after I replaced the tempo gray lines, I checked everywhere for leaks to ensure that all of my worm clamps were tight and that all fuel lines were not leaking any fuel. I took it out last weekend for the maiden voyage, and it ran just great for the most part. Started and accelerated fine. Ran great for a good two hours. Toward the end of my day, the engine was doing a little bit of "surge and reduce power," "Surge and reduce power," "Surge and reduce power," repeat, etc. etc. I'm not really sure how to describe this very well...but when I applied throttle to around 1/2-3/4 speed, it was kind of up and down, up and down.

Anyway, I knew this is not a good thing...so didn't want to drive it anymore and get stranded...I went low speed back to the dock and went home. Today I opened up the seat to see if I could see anything going on in there....and the fuel smell is just so strong. Very gasoline fumey. I checked all of the lines I replaced and the clamps, and didn't notice any problems/leaks. However...the inline plastic fuel filter I installed seems to have a small amount of fuel on it. I"m wondering...is it possible that the vacuum from the fuel pump could have caused the fuel filter to 'implode' or at least crack under pressure? Or maybe i caused a hairline crack by tightening the clamps on it too tight? Or maybe it just is a crappy filter?

Anyway...is an air leak in the fuel system consistent with the symptoms I described? I'm replacing that fuel filter with an automotive metal one for now until I can get another length of the ANSI approved fuel line I can install without a filter.

I'm just unsure if the engine surge problem is related...or if it caused the leak...or if this is all random. Anyway...any help would be much appreciated! I can't find a lot of info about the 587 engine online.

 

[noviceskier]

I'd remove any type of inline fuel filter like that from the system completely, if the fumes are what you described it was probably being starved of air and fuel if it was cracked like you said.

 

[JeremyD615]

A leak at that inline filter would cause exactly the symptoms you’re describing. Get rid of the filter, and you should be fine. The OEM fuel strainers actually work really well in these, and there is no need for the additional filter. All it’s really doing is restricting fuel flow, and they are a common source of leaks.

 

[mikidymac]

I third that motion, get that inline filter out of there.

 

[Arriva2001]

Thanks for the replies, all. Quick question—can I use just a standard 1/4” Briggs and Stratton fuel line? Or does it need to be the special marine grade kind? (I’m out of that stuff but can buy the Briggs and Stratton line locally). If I can’t use that line, then I might need to put a coupler in temporarily to connect the lines where filter was. Any concern with that approach? Or special kind of coupler to use?

 

[JeremyD615]

Just use standard 1/4” automotive type fuel line. There’s no need for anything specialized, and some of the specialty fuel lines are really too stiff for the application. Just tell the local auto parts store you need regular non fuel injection line.

 

[Arriva2001]

I removed the inline filter and replaced with automotive fuel line—and surging problem is gone. So this must have been it! Thanks for all the help!! Of course now I traded that issue for a starter problem...have another thread on that.

 

[noviceskier]

Awesome!