www.iFourWinns.com

Should my 338 use fuel equally from both tanks? I have the valves configured all open to draw from both tanks. A couple weekends ago I topped off both tanks now I notice port side tank is a 1/2 full and starbaord tank is a little over 3/4 full. Does generator only draw from one tank? I have been using it quite a bit lately.

Generator does draw from the port tank.

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

That seems like a big difference from my experience.. I can hardly notice a difference in the needles after running my gen for 8-9 hours straight. So little difference that I thought it pulled fuel from the starboard tank! Are the water separators both fresh?

You should run with the crossover valve between the tank closed unless you are having an issue with one tank. If you do not it will draw more fuel from the tank with the anti-siphon valve with the least spring pressure.

_________________
Brian Borchik
The Winds of Cold Springs Harbor Marina
Baldwinsville, NY

Thanks guys, boat only 15 hours on it so water seperators shoudl be fresh.
Too bad my operators manual doesn't tell me that about the valves!! I would sure expect it to do so. Four Winns manuals are crap!!

Probably not the culprit b/c I can't remember the where they are on the line but don't assume they're new. We both bought 08 leftovers that were likely assembled late 07. Ethanol promotes microbial activity and that would be close to 3 years of it.. FWIW I run both valves open.

The manuals are decent enough. Some brands are truly terrible. I'm happy with what's in them, and even happier when the factory support folks e-mail me PDFs of more specific info. They've been very helpful over the years.

Never ass-u-me, as the saying goes. Check the filters. Gas can be bad right from the start. And when there is a fuel/water problem it can often take many changes of the filters to solve it.

As for the fuel valves, this is not a Honda or other turn the key and go vehicle. There's a lot of mechanical information that needs to be understood in order to safely operate this or any other boat. Manual or not, hand-holding or not, some things you have to learn the hard way. Fellow owners are often a handy resource.

_________________
-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista