Fuel issue on brand new RZ4

[Eastern shore wake]

Hi, we bought a new 2010 RZ4 last october (6 hrs on it) and put it away for the winter. My son and I finally got it out last weekend for the first time. All went well initially as it started right up and ran beautifully for about an hour and a half (was on and off and at different speeds). Wow, we loved the 22V we had for 6 years but this was awesome. Has the 409 which really makes a difference in power and simply pushing the buttons to get ballast (vs years of fat sacs and a tsunami pump). Everything was working great. Ok..now the bad news. About 90 minutes in my son hit the throttle and engine dived. We put it in neutral and then tried agin with same result. Ran ok at neutral but engine just wouldn't go up. The guages read fine. I figured maybe we had some bad gas (35 or so gallons sat in tank for at least 8 months) so went out and got some Staron and put it in. Started up and ran fine for another hour or so and then same thing started happening. This time engine really struggled to get enough gas to even idle. Would turn it off for aminute and then start it up and it would run at 1500 or so rpms for a while before cutting out. We limped back in and let it sit for awhile and again it started right up and ran fine for another 30 minutes or so. Seemed clear it wasn't bad gas as when it ran it ran flawlessly. Seemed like there was something in fuel tank or engine staging tank that was periodically blocking intake (piece of cloth?). When we let it sit for awhile it seemed as if whatever was blocking would "float" away in tank and them it ran fine for awhile. Called dealer in NH (I am in Md) who agreed it seemed like something was periodically blocking intake. I am taking it into Pcm dealer near me in md and hoping it is an issue with pcm "tank" vs main gas tank as if main tank it would be covered by tige warranty vs pcm. No tige dealer within 5 hours of me. Wanted to see what you all thought and if anybody else experienced this. Also, although not as much of an issue, the tige taps only goes from 4 (level with bottom of boat) to 8. Won't go below 4 although you can hear pump trying. Would welcome your thoughts. Thanks!!!

[tnvolgrad]

Have you checked the fuel filter? Sounds like it may be clogged and needs to be replaced.

[skippabcool]

Have you checked the fuel filter? Sounds like it may be clogged and needs to be replaced.

This was the same first thought that I had.

[robert theisen]

I am thinking fuel filter and fuel pump. The fuel pump could just be starting to go bad.

[spenchey2]

You'd hope not with it being basically brand new, but it is certainly possible. I just had a similar issue with my 06 22v, turned out it was a fuel line.

[chpthril]

Pull the fuel/water sep filter and try catching every drop you can. Dump it into a glass jar and see whats there. Any water or trash will separate. Im betting water. Also, that 8 month old fuel is probably spoiled. Additives will slow the spoiling, but do nothing once the fuel is old and spoiled.

[zad0030]

Pull the fuel/water sep filter and try catching every drop you can. Dump it into a glass jar and see whats there. Any water or trash will separate. Im betting water. Also, that 8 month old fuel is probably spoiled. Additives will slow the spoiling, but do nothing once the fuel is old and spoiled.

What he said!

[91Terminator]

Hi, we bought a new 2010 RZ4 last october (6 hrs on it) and put it away for the winter. My son and I finally got it out last weekend for the first time. All went well initially as it started right up and ran beautifully for about an hour and a half (was on and off and at different speeds). Wow, we loved the 22V we had for 6 years but this was awesome. Has the 409 which really makes a difference in power and simply pushing the buttons to get ballast (vs years of fat sacs and a tsunami pump). Everything was working great. Ok..now the bad news. About 90 minutes in my son hit the throttle and engine dived. We put it in neutral and then tried agin with same result. Ran ok at neutral but engine just wouldn't go up. The guages read fine. I figured maybe we had some bad gas (35 or so gallons sat in tank for at least 8 months) so went out and got some Staron and put it in. Started up and ran fine for another hour or so and then same thing started happening. This time engine really struggled to get enough gas to even idle. Would turn it off for aminute and then start it up and it would run at 1500 or so rpms for a while before cutting out. We limped back in and let it sit for awhile and again it started right up and ran fine for another 30 minutes or so. Seemed clear it wasn't bad gas as when it ran it ran flawlessly. Seemed like there was something in fuel tank or engine staging tank that was periodically blocking intake (piece of cloth?). When we let it sit for awhile it seemed as if whatever was blocking would "float" away in tank and them it ran fine for awhile. Called dealer in NH (I am in Md) who agreed it seemed like something was periodically blocking intake. I am taking it into Pcm dealer near me in md and hoping it is an issue with pcm "tank" vs main gas tank as if main tank it would be covered by tige warranty vs pcm. No tige dealer within 5 hours of me. Wanted to see what you all thought and if anybody else experienced this. Also, although not as much of an issue, the tige taps only goes from 4 (level with bottom of boat) to 8. Won't go below 4 although you can hear pump trying. Would welcome your thoughts. Thanks!!!

Change both filters and the pump. PCM has an updated fuel pump.

[Duncan]

PCM has an updated fuel pump.

For what model years?

[91Terminator]

For what model years?

2009 to 2011 We have seen this issue with 343s 409s even the 303s. But if yours is working fine no need to change it. Normally occurs right away when purchased and if the boat sits alot brand new. So if yours never acted up no worries.

[Duncan]

2009 to 2011 We have seen this issue with 343s 409s even the 303s. But if yours is working fine no need to change it. Normally occurs right away when purchased and if the boat sits alot brand new. So if yours never acted up no worries.

Thanks for the info!

[Eastern shore wake]

Thanks all for the great advice! Especially about Fuel pump. Seems like that could be the issue. Will check filters and fuel/water separator this weekend. Goes into PCM dealer next week (where fuel pump can be checked).

[shawndoggy]

we had a similar issue on our 2011 MB last season, which has a PCM EX 343. This started with about 14 hours on the boat. We'd be cruising along and then it was as if someone pulled the throttle back. No matter how much gas you'd give it, it would eventually come back to neutral. Shut it down and it'd reset and be fine.... till it did it again.

We towed it straight to the dealer and they replaced both the fuel pump and the electronic throttle. 50+ hours since and it has been fine.