Fuel tank access

[Bluefin]

Is there an easy way of inspecting the fuel tank on the 191? Just trying to keep from removing the entire back deck. I have a slight smell of fuel when looking in the round deck hatch and want to check it out.

Thanks,

Bluefin

[aronlevin]

The only acces points I know of are the removeable can next to the lvewell and the front loor hatch and you can look back at your tank and the small round deck hatch. You should be able to see your fuel lines from the rear next to the livewell. I hope this helps.

[Bluefin]

Aron, Look forward to seeing your bow enclosure sounds great.

I found that can and got a look at the lines a few days ago. Everything looks fine and I tightened everything up and clean the back hull area up. However, every time I start the motor it runs great and then after about 4-5 minutes a buzzer alarm goes off. I opened everything up and checked. Looks fine but I don't know what is up with the alarm. If I shut it down and start her again it is fine for 4-5 minutes then the buzzer goes off again.

I don't have an engine temp meter so I cannot tell how hot the motor is running. Fuel lines are tight and I was running water via the upper unit line. Have you had anything like that happen?

Thanks,

Bluefin

[rudderhinge]

Bluefin, If your motor is a Yamaha with the motor flush hose connection you should not be running the motor with a water hose hooked up to that. That connection is for only flushing your motor and will not cool the motor while running. You need to use the old type water muffs that clamp around the lower unit with a water hose connected to it while running the motor. The upper flush connection should never be unhooked while running the motor. The buzzer that you are hearing is the engine high temp alarm. If your are lucky your water pump will be OK but you need to check it and see that it did not damaged the pump impeller by running the motor while it is in the water or run it with water muffs hooked up to it and see if the buzzer still sounds. If it does then you will need to replace the pump impeller and check the pump housing to make sure that it is still ok.
If the pump is damaged, what will happen if you are running it in water is the motor will start and run for several minutes at idle and then the alarm will sound. If you run the motor at faster RPM's the alarm may not sound until you go back to idle again. If you are running it while supplying water through water muffs the alarm may not sound because you are forcing water through the motor with the water hose. Hope this helps and everything it OK. Bob.

[Bluefin]

Thanks Bob....I have always owned boats with I/O's. Asked the local Yamaha dealer and he said it would be OK to run her from the upper attachmentor muffs....either or. I guess I should ask him to fix it if it's broke. I will check it and get it fixed if broken.

Thanks again,

Bluefin

[aronlevin]

Bluefin
You should go online and look at the yamaha site and download the owners manual and it will tell you if it is ok or not to run the motor. The only alarm I have haerd was when I got into some eel grass and the water line cloged for a moment, I raised the motor and cleared the eel grass and had no problem. It was not blocked long enough to overheat it was just for a second or two. I would try and find a large bucket to lower the motor in to see if it is having any problems. I use a large bucket that is used for my horses water. I hope all is well.

[k9reno]

I actually checked my Yamaha's owners manual yesterday. It talked of both methods of flushing the cooling system. Both flushed water thru the eniter engine cooling system. the manual did not reall say one way or the other about runing the engine with it hooked up to the upper flush connection. I talked of running it with the muff attachment in relation to flushing and winterizing.

[Bluefin]

After the snow melted off yesterday and temps went up, I put muffs on and ran the motor again. After about 5 minutes at idle there was no alarm. I checked the Yamaha site and it stated that running the motor on the upper flush is a big NO NO. I have to go down to the dealer and pick up an outboard cover and will informed them of that fact so they don't misinform anyone else. I will run it again on the muffs before putting it in the water to make sure it is O.K.. However, once RPM levels rise and the motor gets hot it may still have a problems. Ordered the new Garmin 430s yesterday. Will hopefully be back in the water very soon.

Thanks for all the information.

Bluefin

[rrweather]

I wish the yamaha manual was more directive in telling me not to use the upper attachment to run the motor. I read the manual a few times and it didn't make it clear that I shouldn't do it. I've never gotten the alarm. Now I need to go buy one of those earmuff attachments. It's always something...