Kicker motor set up?

[Wallywizard]

I have an oil injected main and a 4stroke kicker. What I've done is put a "T" fitting off my gas tank to run both off the same tank. Whats happening is a loss of power on my main motor I believe is due to air being sucked in from my kicker , I've looked all over for a shut off valve(5/8")for fuel and can't seem to find one! This surprises me because Iwould think it would be common for this application. Is this not the proper thing to do? Is there something else wrong? Where can I find one? Any and all suggestions on kicker motor set ups appreciated . I have a 1994 Mercury 150 XR2 and a 2001 Honda 15hp 4stroke kicker , also I hooked up the EZ Steer system with the restrictor cord and it doesn't look like its going to work .
Thanks guys!

[perchjerker]

A plain "t" is a no-no. Whats happening is your motor is sucking the fuel out of the other motors carb and leaning out your motor thats running, which can lead to major problems.

You need one of these kind of valves.

http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cgi?store_id=100&prod_id=2941&cart_id=639090886&current_category=way%20valve

1/4" is all you need, I dont know why you are looking for a 5/8", thats the size of a garden hose.

Some tanks also have an auxillary pickup for a 2nd motor already in the tank, you might want to check that out.

[redbone]

The tee must be connected before the primer bulb for the main motor, Then you must have a primer bulb on the fuel line for the kicker so it doesn't suck out the fuel from the kicker.

Bob Piette

[Drift Sock]

An alternative to the valve is to install a fuel/water separator with one input (from tank) and two outputs (one to each motor). Solves the vacumn problem and adds an extra margin of safety with respect to water in fuel. Not very expensive, simple to install and maintain.

DS

[slip_bobber]

Been through this a lot. If you do not have seperate fuel pickups in the tank, and it sounds like you don't, a shut off valve on the kicker line is the best way to go. You can get one at most hardware stores or small engine/lawnmower shop. Another option is to unplug the fuel line on your kicker.

The problem with a three way valve is that when your done trolling and forget to switch the valve you will run your big motor out of fuel at full throttle. This is the second worst thing you can do to a big motor.

The fuel seperator is a pricey way to a simple fix and some motors are not suposed to have an external fuel/water seperator.

[slip_bobber]

Been through this a lot. If you do not have seperate fuel pickups in the tank, and it sounds like you don't, a shut off valve on the kicker line is the best way to go. You can get one at most hardware stores or small engine/lawnmower shop. Another option is to unplug the fuel line on your kicker.

The problem with a three way valve is that when your done trolling and forget to switch the valve you will run your big motor out of fuel at full throttle. This is the second worst thing you can do to a big motor.

The fuel seperator is a pricey way to a simple fix and some motors are not suposed to have an external fuel/water seperator.

[Gilly]

slip_bobber, would I install the shut off before the kickers primer bulb or after or does it matter? I am having a problem and this would help to eliminate one possiblity. Is it an inline shut off for 1/4" fuel line?

[nemio]

Redbone, I'm running mine exactly like that for years, without any problem. If your primer bulb are working like they are suppose to work I don't see the necessity to have a valve.

[RDJ]

I'll second the fuel/water seperator set up. I rigged my new boat this spring this way and am very satisfied. Very easy to do and didn't take any more time then the other methods. Very economical system and I like the insurance of having the fuel going through an easy to change,high volume primary filter before hitting my engine filters. Clean fuel is good fuel. Initial filter and housing will cost about $30 and filters will run $7-10 after that. I will change mine annually during regular spring maintanance or as needed. Good luck whichever way you decide to go, do isolate your kickers fuel source regardless of which plumbing method you choose. See ya, RJ in Montana

[Gilly]

Wouldn't you need a inline shut off for the main motor as well to isolate it from the kicker? This would prevent the kicker from sucking out of the main motors carbs if the main motor's primer bulb failed? Or is it only the main motor which sucks out of the kicker when and if the kicker's primer bulb fails so you only need the inline shutoff to the kicker? One of these days I will get it..gilly