We spent the day cruising on the lake yesterday and my 2007 Suzuki DF200 ran great all day, until we got ready to head back to the dock (after anchoring for a couple of hours). When I throttled up at about 4000 rpm, it just shut down. The first thing I did was check the fuel filter. I emptied it, but when I tried to reinstall it, it started leaking near the top. I checked the O ring, and reinstalled several times, but it continued to leak. I could start the notor, but could hear it “sucking air.” I was able to idle back to a friend’s dock, where I tried and after a couple of times I was able to tighten it down to where it stopped leaking. If I ran it up to > 4000 prm though the rpm would fluctuate up and down. I decide to take it slow back to the dock with someone following me in case I got into trouble. During the ride back, I gradually kept speeding up till I was eventually full throttle. It ran fine, no skips, fluctuations, nothing.
So, after that long description, what do you think happened? I’m guessing the fuel filter worked loose and sucked some air in for a vapor lock. If that’s what it was, what can I do to avoid it happening in the future? Should I buy a backup fuel filter assembly, or at least an O ring to see if I can prevent this leak without having to tighten it on so much?
I have noticed that when you take off a fuel filter, the rubber gasket/o-ring has expanded and will no longer seal like it is supposed to. My mechanic said the ethanol does that to the rubber and you need a new gasket if you are not replacing the whole filter.
itch
its not likely your filter loosened itself enough to suck air
it is very possible after you took it off, the gasket wouldnt seal properly.
yes, you should carry a spare filter.
sounds like you have a fuel issue somewhere else
itch
its not likely your filter loosened itself enough to suck air
it is very possible after you took it off, the gasket wouldnt seal properly.
yes, you should carry a spare filter.
sounds like you have a fuel issue somewhere else
Yesterday I tried O ring grease (actually silicone high vacuum grease since I had some available), but still had a leak unless I really tighten the filter housing as tight as possible without tools. The boat seems to be running fine. I ran WOT for 20 minutes without any issues. I’ve ordered spare filters and O rings.
Chris, this filter housing has worked its way loose before. In the future I’ll tighten it down more, and try to remember to check it periodically.
One other question for Chris,
Is there an upper limit on RPMs when “revving” the engine in neutral?
the suzuki has a rev limiter
2800 rpms, and it will surge very dramatically in nuetral
6100 wot
you should always tighten the filter as tight as possible by hand