Ethanol: cured by fuel/water separator?

[jonboy1919]

My '79 CJ7 304ci MC2150 runs great some days and others it will fart, buck, cough, die, then run ok thereafter. Coincidentally, my boat, a 1987 SeaRay Seville with a carbureted MerCruiser 165 inboard exhibited the exact same behavior.

I went on my favorite boat forum with this problem and every response was, "do you have a fuel/water separator? Ethanol attracts moisture and is choking out your engine" I immediately installed the separator and thereafter my boat has performed beautifully, never better.

My question: have any of you fellow jeep enthusiasts installed a fuel/water separator on your carbureted engines? If so, has it helped? Are there fuel pressure issues to deal with?

Any info is appreciated and I thank you in advance.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Also-run prem. fuel.
When was the last time you rebuilt that carb or confirmed the float setting?
You still run'n that 'horseshoe' connector on your coil?
LG

 

[jonboy1919]

Carb was rebuilt approx. 2,000 mile ago, I always run the highest octane gasoline possible (even pour in a booster when I remember) and yes on the horseshoe connector.

 

[jdcaples]

I don't know if water in your fuel is your problem or not. I'd defer to Lumpy Grits.

I just wanted tell you - since your profile says, "Maltby" - that there's an ethanol-free alternative up in Snohomish.

Snohomish Co-Op
168 Lincoln Ave
Snohomish, WA 98290

They sell - or as late as last month, did sell - pure gasoline, as in "no ethanol."

I stop in there every time I go to Lake Stevens.



-Jon

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Get rid of the horseshoe connector and replace the coil with screw contacts. Go to NAPA and get their BEST---
That OEM connector is a known problem for electrical contact issues.
Makes you 'think' it's a fuel issue-
Not say'n it's YOUR fix.........
LG

 

[Torxhead]

There are a few things that can make vehicle perform poorly, usually related to fuel delivery or ignition issues. That "Horseshoe connector" can corrode or loosen up at the contact points. Replacing the coil with screw down contacts and soldering down a set of eye terminals will eliminate that possible issue. A poor fuel delivery issue could be anywhere from poor ventilation in the gas tank, a clogged up 35 year old fuel sock, in the gas tank, cracks in the fuel lines, weak fuel pump, to name a few. The "Team Rush" ignition conversion is something your AMC 304 should have. Along with making sure the distributor pick up coil and icm are not part of the problem.

 

[Neuner]

I have found a big difference between gas suppliers/stations.

Too many times my family and I thought there was something wrong with one of our vehicles only to find it was poor performing gas.

We now only go to one brand of service stations that we know is good and we've never had any of those problems again.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Any updates?
LG

 

[jdcaples]

I'd like to know how things turned out, too.

BTW, I went to Lake Stevens on Sunday, stopping in Snohomish to check on the availability of unadulterated gasoline at the co-op.

They're keeping the faith.

-Jon

View attachment 19381

 

[elwood blues]

$4 a gallon

 

[jdcaples]

Probably premium.... But yeah, more expensive than ethanol blends. WA just passed another gas tax hike, too.



Sent from my XT1095 using Tapatalk

 

[Neuner]

If any of you have Netflix, you should check out 'Pump - The Movie'. Very interesting.

https://www.youtube.com/user/PUMPtheMovie2014