2002 F80LTRA Removing Cabs with manifold

[JRad]

I need to replace the in-line fuel filters located at the carbs on my motor. The top carb is not getting fuel and the motor will not start because of it.

I have had this repair done twice at the dealer at a cost of nearly $1000 each time. The last time the fix lasted less than two months. Before you ask or recommend additional filtering I am using a 10 micron filter / water separator just past the tank.

A friend, who does boat repair, suggested that this is a DIY job. He said I could remove the entire intake manifold with carbs attached in order to reach the filters that are buried. He said that if I do it this way, I can keep all the linkages attached and not need to balance the carbs upon re-assembly.

1. Does my friend's method sound reasonable ?

2. How do you get the bottom bolts on the intake manifold off? They are below the cowling. I don't see any way to remove the cowling.

Thanks for looking!

Jon

[boats.net]

Yes if you don't take carbs loose from manifold you wont have to sync carb again. The bottom bolts will come out with a universal joint type socket. Need to replace manifold gasket, it's not reuseable.

[JRad]

Thanks. It didn't look like I could reach in there with a universal. I'll try it.

After looking over the job it seems like a lot more work then pulling a single carb. Even if I don't touch settings, will removing a carb from the manifold require syncing again?

[boats.net]

Yes if you remove carb or linkage from manifold it will need to be resync.

[JRad]

Thanks much. I just ordered my parts, including the gasket, from Boats.Net.

BTW - I spent about a half hour with Google researching parts prices including shipping and you are by far the best deal going.

If I can get this done on my own, my cost will be about $73 (+ a case of beer for the helper) including a few small parts for other parts of the motor that need replacing. Last time the dealer replace the filters it was over $900 for parts and labor.

Thanks again for the advice and good prices