Hi, I've got a 1988 Range 374V and I was out today and while I was on plane my motor died. My boat has 3, 14 Gallon fuel tanks but I never use the auxiliary tank. So with that being said I only use the Starboard and Port side fuel tanks. I had the gas selector set for the Starboard tank and while on plane today the motor died, it would start back up but the engine would sputter and die. It was full when I first went out, ran fine until I used about 1/4 of the tank. I switched the fuel tank selector to the Port side and the motor fired up and I was able to drive with no issues. I've noticed before that I'd only be able to use about 3/4's of the gas in the tank before it would basically act like it has ran out of gas. Today I was only able to use about 1/4 of the tank of gas before I had to switch over to the other tank. So obviously the engine is fine, It's related to the tanks I believe. Anyone have experience with this type of issue? Would I need to start with a pick up unit for the tank or could an an air leak or could a lose or cracked hose cause an issue like this? Or maybe a worn rubber gasket for the sending unit? I'm not sure how to start diagnosing this issue. Thanks for any info.

I would make sure the tank vent is fully open and not clogged - not sure how they are plumbed on that boat. Second, double check that the fuel selector switch is working properly and letting fuel flow freely from the suspect tank. Last, I assume you are not just reading the fuel level from a dash mounted gauge but have actually checked the tank itself to make sure it has fuel when the motor quits (not trying to be a smarty pants, but I know I have made that mistake before).

I had a 1986 375V an the fuel tank selector was a manual valve. I suspect the 1988 is also. I would pull the fuel pickups out of the tank and inspect. I would then replace all of the hoses from tank and valve to the motor. Back then Ranger did not use ethanol resistant hoses. After looking at mine and the effort involved to got to the hoses at the valve I decided to just add a good inline filter.

@rb7764 Thanks for the reply. I'll check the tank vent, at this point I'm not even sure where that's at. I also thought the problem might have something to do with the fuel selector switch and will double check that. And to your last point, My fuel gauge doesn't even work so I have to look at the tank and where the gas is at visually. I can see the gas level is sitting at aprox 75% full through the tank itself currently. Thanks for the reply.

@Stump Jumper The fuel tank selector is a manual valve, I'm going to start with the fuel pickup to check the condition. I've owned the boat for 5 years and the previous owner had it sitting in his garage for 12 years only taking it out about 3 times a year to run it for a bit. So the pickups could definitely be the issue. I'll start with the pick up and work back to the motor with the hoses and the manual valve and will definitely add a good inline filter. Thank you for the reply.

Here is a pic of mine. After reading your post about boat stored for 12 years in garage I would start with tank vents. Mud dabbers might have build nests in them. There has to be a check valve somewhere to keep water out. If you can blow the pic up starting at the R in Ranger and moving back you will see the bilge pump outlet and then a chrome or SS fitting. The fitting is your gas tank vent. There will be one on each side.

Here is a pic of mine. After reading your post about boat stored for 12 years in garage I would start with tank vents. Mud dabbers might have build nests in them. There has to be a check valve somewhere to keep water out. If you can blow the pic up starting at the R in Ranger and moving back you will see the bilge pump outlet and then a chrome or SS fitting. The fitting is your gas tank vent. There will be one on each side.

@stump jumper I know exactly where the little chrome vents are now that you mentioned it. Thanks for all the input. I'll check youtube on how to check them and reply back with what I find.

@stump jumper I checked the vent and it has a screen mesh to keep debris/bugs out of the vent tube. The screen mesh was perfectly clean and in tact. That vent tube is deep in the compartment behind the fuel supply hose on the tank and I couldn't visually see it but I was able to feel the tube was connected securely to the fuel tank so I highly doubt there is anything clogged up in the vent tube like bugs or dirt.

However I did read somewhere that if your fuel supply line dips below the fuel tank level it can have some issues supplying gas to the motor. I noticed the fuel line was ran at the top of the compartment originally and it's now held in place by wire ties at the top of the compartment...and all of the wire ties were broken and the fuel line was sagging about half way down in the compartment for the side I was having issues with almost exactly where the fuel level is inside the fuel tank. The side I was not having issues with sits directly under the manual fuel tank selector and the fuel supply line is a straight shot up from the tank to the manual selector. So this might be the difference.

I have not checked the pick up tube yet because I want to try 1 thing at a time to pin point the problem.

I'll be heading out on Tuesday and will reply with an update this week.

OP,

I have no idea how many of those fuel selector switches I have had to change...Those selector valves was not well made to begin with and now with the ethanol in the regular fuel, that valve is going to be really hard to keep working properly. I would sure make certain it was sealing off to the selected tank, and not just moving from one tank to the next and was leaking back through the valve body and sucking air from an empty tank or the other path I have seen them not move to a tank completely and literally not have a open hose to pull fuel from any tank, and yet the selector handle be where it should be.

Those valves are a pita and even worse to change out. Hard to trouble shoot also.

@Rowdy,

Thanks for the heads up, I have noticed when changing the selector from 1 tank to another gas will leak up on the selector shaft. I never really thought about that until you brought it up. That can definitely be an issue that I'll look at more closely now. The selector never moves but as I said, when I do move it gas does come out from the selector valve so maybe that will create an air leak.

Thanks for the input.

If it leaks fuel, it sucks air. Don't mess with that valve anymore, you r&r that darn thing. Then you go from there with any other trouble that may be present. You can nuke a powerhead in a heartbeat with it sucking air. Now as I mentioned that valve is a huge, huge pita to change, so just don't expect that to be a 15 minute task, take your time, buy all new hose to go with this project. I am sure the hoses need to be replaced also. New primer bulb too. Just get all this old off and replace with new.

Thanks for all the info. I'll be buying all new hoses and a valve tonight and replacing all the lines and pick up's too. Thanks again for the help.

like rowdy said, if it leaks fuel it sucks air. I had a 175 johnson fast strike that it took me almost 3 months to find the air leak, it was at the snap connection at the engine.

buy some inline connectors that fit the fuel line, take off the end of the one being replaced and put the connector in then the new hose behind it, pull hose all at once.

get some of the tiny wire connectors and put 2 on ea. side of the connector, old and new hose so it can't slip off.

if you can get to the connectons on the tank etc. it makes it a whole lot easier to replace that stuffl

Thanks Hopalong and Rowdy, that's all great advice. I went out and messed with the fuel selector and like Rowdy said that is a PITA for sure!!!

So I think what I'm going to do instead of messing with all these old hoses and fuel selectors and separate fuel tanks is I'm going to buy 1, 35 gallon new gas tank along with all new hoses and rip out all 3 of my old 14 gallon gas tanks/hoses and redesign my back compartment. That way I can bypass the stupid fuel selector and have everything new. 1 of the 3 gas tanks is already unusable due to sitting for over a decade with a full tank of gas. It turned into varnish.

It's a horrible design currently. One 14 gallon tank on the starboard and port side and 1 tank under the bench seat. It's dumb to have 3 separate 14 gallon gas tanks and I don't like how its set up at all.

I'd rather have 1, 35 gallon gas tank and eliminate a ton of guess work and potential engine issues.

Thanks again for everything everyone.