VST Filter

["C" Quest]

I have a pair of Yamaha F225 four strokes with 1560hrs and the last two years in a row we had issues with the boat losing power then finally quit. The first time it was the VST filter clogged (950hrs+/-). The next year we were in the Bahamas and it happed again (other motor)(1300hrs+/-) the mechanic tried several things and he did not feel that the VST was a problem--as it turned out both the VST filter was clogged and the low pressure fuel pump was intermit working and blowing the fuel feed pump fuse.

My question is this: I want to perform some preventative maintanace before this happens again but in neither case did we replace the gaskets or the filter. The filter was only cleaned. Do you think that cleaning the filter again is adequate or should I replace them this time? I know I need to replace the gaskets.

[John_Madison CT]

Are you running a fuel filter such as a Racor, that filters down to 10 microns? This is very very important otherwise lots of gunk will get to the VST filters.

[aceswerling]

I cleaned the VST filters on my motors. They're bascially thin mesh screens. There's not any filter material to get all clogged. It looked to me like cleaning the dirt off would work fine. My motors have had no problems since I cleaned off the mesh.

["C" Quest]

I do have the 10 micron racors changed frequently and also change the ones on the motors often but this still seems like a on going problem?

[Taylor22]

C Quest you need to change out the filter on top of the vst tank. If you have never changed this filter it can cause you problems. This is the last filter that the fuel goes throught before it reaches the injectors. This is a big problem on an engine with those kind of hours. That filter should be changed every two hundred hours.

["C" Quest]

Are you talking about the filter 68V-13915-00-00 that attaches to the pump inside the tank?? or somewhere else? Part number 69J-24501-00-00 on the outside?

[Taylor22]

If you follow the fuel line to the top of the vst tank you will find a small filter. It is white and has to hose barbs coming off of it.

[John_Madison CT]

FWIW, if you're getting nearly 1000 hours before your VST filter is clogging, then I don't see any problems. I would bet that standard maintenance requires they get cleaned/replaced long before 1000 hours.

[capt.nick]

Last year after 200 hours on my 2004 F225 Yamaha, the feed pump fuse kept blowing immediately after replacing and we replaced the feed pump. I was told it was unusual but the pump failed. I wonder if this VST filter could have contributed to failure of feed pump. How difficult is it to get to this filter?

[SIM]

Cquest,

What did the debris look like that was in the bottom of the VST tank?

You could have a bad electric suction fuel pump(feed pump)and its sending its debris to the VST tank. Has your mechanic verified the correct fuel pressure or performed a vacum test on the fuel system? What kind of pre-filters do you have installed in the boat?

The VST strainers can be cleaned. I would replace the o-ring when checking or at least have one on hand when dis-assembling it.

It is important not to run the either pump on a F200225out of fuel.

Andy

["C" Quest]

I am not currently having any problems but I would like to replace / clean the VST filters soon to prevent a future problem which seems to always happen when I go on vacation. The last time I had this problem the debris looked like shellac clogging the filter.

I run the 10 micron Racors before the yamaha std filters (engine bowl mounted). I think when the filter went bad last time it ran dry on fuel and burnt the pump...the pump did not go immediately but it took us countless 5a fuel feed pump fuses to get back from the Bahamas so we could replace this pump under warranty.