HPDI Filters Clogging/Tank Scrubbing

[chumtini]

Looks like I'm another victim of E10 gasoline. The 2 mic filters in the VSTs keep clogging with a grey-ish white powdery substance, presumably aluminum oxide, sodium sulfate or whatever. The 10 micron raycors in the separators look clean. So does the gas. But this stuff is getting into places it doesn't belong and suspect it's reaching the injectors. One recommendation (from Pursuit) was a "tank scrub". Anyone know what that entails?

[reel fishy]

I just had a tank scrub done to my Cape Horn. The company had me put about 20gal of fresh fuel in. They opened up where the fuel gauge sending unit was in the tank and put a hose in there. Stuck the other hose of their filter into my fill. He poured in some chemicals and started the pump. Cycled the fuel through a few times and pulled out a bunch of crap and a little water. Looked like little white flakes in the filters. Cost under $200 and hopefully worth every penny. I'm now in the process of rebuilding my carbs as they were all screwed up from E10. Final bill is going to be around $700 by the time it's done. I also pulled new fuel lines just to be safe. Good luck!

[chumtini]

Thanks. Do you have gas or deisel? Any idea what chemicals they put in?

[reel fishy]

Gas, Yamaha Saltwater Series 150. I have no idea what he put in the tank.

[Questsportfishing]

try running your boat in south florida where it is humid and warm all the time! when they mix the stuff into gas you can get something that is your engines worst nightmare! lots of filter changes and run your tank down as much as you can. you should get a clear jar and dump your spin on filters out in them to see what your dealing with. since they made ethanol the filter sales are up ...! funny thing though if you go to any Napa store ask them how many car and truck fuel pumps they are selling now... change filters!!! and run your engine even if your not going out. change out spin on's / engine filter / replace vst screens and keep it out of your fuel injectors.. if those get clogged up your looking at big bucks and labor..

[Rob Rondini]

hey chum, unless you can confirm you have water or gunk in your tank i think it is a waste of money to have it scrubed.you need to replace all your filters including your vst and the smaller one in your fuel pressure regulator.you also need to pull your injectors and get the little thimble screen out of them and spray them real good with brake parts cleaner.it is real important to be careful when removing these thimbal filters because yamaha does not sell them seperately. they come as part of the injector assembly.after you get it all back together you need to replace your fuel water seperator with one that is 2 micron. i believe the most commonly used ones are 10 micron. i know racor is one company that makes one.the 10 micron seems to trap about 90% of the sodium sulfate but the rest goes through and clogs your filters.

[juicyhook]

Where do you get the 2 micron screw ons at, thanks

[Rob Rondini]

any racor dealer should be able to order them for you.

[chumtini]

Pulled one of the VST filters. I'm going to take the filter to a lab for analysis. I took a pic. It's tan colored. Here's what it looks like. What a mess!!!





Any ideas?

It's getting worse, not better. This filter & gasket was new before ~4 runs to my fishing hole 30 miles east of Chatham, troll and back to the barn.

[Questsportfishing]

I was always told ..'to know something you have to pass your hands over it!' .. get a clean clear jar.. (like a pickle or mayo jar).. go out and dump your spin on filter back into it... let it sit and see what this stuff has in it. you will find that the new gas will also eat your filter elements.. try this and change your filters.