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Ladybugs in fuel system

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Old 07-19-2019 | 01:03 AM
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Default Ladybugs in fuel system

So I have a 01 Fastech 382. Had been sitting for a year I tuned it up. Ran great first time out. Second time out one motor was losing power randomly. Someone said fuel issue; I touched base with the previous owner and he said check the filters he had an issue with ladybugs in there before. Did so and boom both filters were plugged with them. Put new ones in and she ran great for a few more times for a handful of hours. Now one motor doesn’t want to climb above 2500 if it does it’s very slowly. What can I do myself to make sure there is no more lady bugs aside from changing the filters again. What is within reach that I can remove or check for blockage? Without draining the entire fuel tank. Boat has 454s. Thank you ahead of time. Open to all suggestions.
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Old 07-19-2019 | 05:48 AM
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If there are ladybugs (Often can be spiders), chances are they entered through the fuel vent (Sceen-less or broken screen) on the side of your hull. If you have that much of a problem where they clogged your filters, the system including your tank has to be at minimum inspected and/or cleaned right out and the vent replaced after blowing the vent line out from the tank....You will not believe how many of the things will be in there..Having debris will only foul everything in the system (fuel lines and pumps, carb/injectors) as they are meant for clean gas and not solids
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Old 07-19-2019 | 06:16 AM
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The fitting into the tank is a hard 90*. This is the tightest point before the filter. I would check here for ladybugs. Used a gas caddy with a wasp nest in the spout and this is where the clog happened when it finally got sucked up. Good luck
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Old 07-19-2019 | 09:29 AM
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fuel vent - or when one works on the fuel system - I use spark plugs as a cork for all open fuel lines and varies caps when working on the fuel system

Years ago I bit ched about the the spin on water fuel sep filters not being wrapped sitting in the box brand new. . Can not tell you how many times I seen some sort of insect in the box or in the filter from being non wrapped over those years. Many manus today wrap the filter completely or at least wrap the open end of the filter. I feel the same about oil filters new in the box sitting on the shelf ( the filter being unwrapped) its an open entry for whatever .
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Old 07-19-2019 | 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by speicher lane
If there are ladybugs (Often can be spiders), chances are they entered through the fuel vent (Sceen-less or broken screen) on the side of your hull. If you have that much of a problem where they clogged your filters, the system including your tank has to be at minimum inspected and/or cleaned right out and the vent replaced after blowing the vent line out from the tank....You will not believe how many of the things will be in there..Having debris will only foul everything in the system (fuel lines and pumps, carb/injectors) as they are meant for clean gas and not solids
Just called a few places and got some quotes for a few hundred. Also in terms of the screen dumb question but how do I check that? Where is it located.

Last edited by Dominicanaso; 07-19-2019 at 01:24 PM.
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Old 07-19-2019 | 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by BUP
fuel vent - or when one works on the fuel system - I use spark plugs as a cork for all open fuel lines and varies caps when working on the fuel system

Years ago I bit ched about the the spin on water fuel sep filters not being wrapped sitting in the box brand new. . Can not tell you how many times I seen some sort of insect in the box or in the filter from being non wrapped over those years. Many manus today wrap the filter completely or at least wrap the open end of the filter. I feel the same about oil filters new in the box sitting on the shelf ( the filter being unwrapped) its an open entry for whatever .
The WIX 33226 Fuel Water Seperators I installed this year came in sealed clear plastic bag. Disclaimer: My experience may vary from others.

Amazon Amazon

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Old 07-19-2019 | 07:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Dominicanaso



Just called a few places and got some quotes for a few hundred. Also in terms of the screen dumb question but how do I check that? Where is it located.
....If your boat is equipped with a vent that has the screen. With regards to the vent in the image below, I have seen them missing and/or the recesses are plugged where they are full of everything (spider, mud wasp etc)... in your case - ladybugs

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Old 07-20-2019 | 08:04 AM
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aren't ladybugs good luck.
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Old 07-20-2019 | 09:30 AM
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Originally Posted by sutphen 30
aren't ladybugs good luck.
dont listen to him!!!

sutphen loves ladybugs and reversion!!!! lol
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Old 07-22-2019 | 04:18 PM
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Is there anything else that might be causing this motor to slack or not get fuel that I should look into? It ran amazing on the test ride and every time when I bought it; I mess with something fuel it’ll help it. Could it be timing? Injectors? Motor was rebuilt bottom to top 100 hours ago.
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