2001 21V Riders Edition Fuel Pump or Oil Pressure Switch

[Goofyr44]

Whats up guys! As you guys may have read on some of my previous posts, I am a proud owner of a Tige 21V Riders Edition. Just in case any of you guys have not read my previous posts I'll give a quick run down. I bought a 21V late last fall from a guy who sorely neglected the boat. I got an amazing deal but I knew it needed a lot of TLC. I've always liked Tige boats and have heard great things about them so I was excited to see the buzz about them. I was a previous Malibu euro Skier owner and it was a fun boat. During the test drive everything seemed ok, besides the neglect i.e. interior, exterior, and Mr. fix it wiring etc.
Fast forward to 2 months ago. I took the boat out with the wife and kids and it randomly started missing and then the engine died. Fast forward again, I changed the plugs, plug wires, ignition coil, distributor cap, rotor, transmission pressure switch, changed oil, oil filter, fuel filter, and also drained all the old fuel out just to make sure. While I was doing all that I had the interior recovered and I put it all back in.
Took the boat out last weekend and it ran like a dream. We ran the boat for about 1.5 hours and everything seemed to be perfect. Took the boat again today and everything seemed fine until I turned the boat off. We rode for about 30ish minutes, idled for another 10, and then turned the engine off so we could have lunch and let the kids roam around the boat. I attempted to start the boat, the engine turned over but it did not start. It appeared as if the engine was not getting fuel. I waited 5 minutes and attempted to start the boat again but no luck. The engine turned over but did not start. It appeared the fuel pump in the tank was not working. I could not hear it being activated when the ignition was on. Ultimately I had to get towed back in. (but from the great Aaron Tippin "There aint nothing wrong with the radio")
During the tow I researched, on this site and the internets, possibly causes for my issue. I checked the fuel pump fuse and it was good. I read that the oil pressure switch going out could be a possible reason the fuel pump was not working. I also read the fuel pump relays could be the issue. I plan on hooking up a power source directly to the fuel pump in the tank to see it if activates as well as disconnecting the fuel line to see if it is actually pumping. I also plan on troubleshooting the oil pressure switch to see if it is working. I also plan on checking the fuel pump relays to see if they are sticking.
I am hoping that anyone can give me some helpful advice on fixing the issue at hand. I feel like every time I fix something I have to fix something else. I know that boat ownership is not an easy road but I want to at least get on the road.

Thanks guys

[jsmullen728]

Hey, I have your same boat 1999 Tige 2100 V Riders Edition and went through a similar fiasco. It has 800 hours on the original mercruiser MPI 350 mag. Bought the boat in 2018 and every single one of my issues has been "fuel" related.

My best advice to you is to get a fuel pressure gauge and hook that up to the rail so you can see what the fuel pressure is at all times. With that connected, you can see what the fuel pressure is when you turn the key (which sends fuel to the fuel pump) and also when the engine is running. Check the manuals to see what the fuel pressure should be at all times. The fuel pressure should hold and not drop lower than 1 or 2 psi.

I had to replace the original fuel pump based on what i saw from these readings. I also had to replace the fuel pressure regulator. Also had a bunch of crap in my fuel tank (that accumulated over the years). I also found some pretty cheap Chinese fuel injectors on ebay/amazon and replaced all 8 of those which made a big difference for me as well.

Hope this helps.

John

[boatwakes]

Hey Goofy,

There is not an oil pressure switch related to the fuel pump relay. As JS mentioned above, check fuel pressure first, the test port is engine front port side of the vessel, there's a Schrader valve under the back cap at the engine front end of the fuel rail. Pressure should be 32psi+- 2 psi. The fuel pump will prime for 2 seconds when you turn on the key and you will hear it do so. If it doesn't, check connections, the pump relay and then disconnect the two wire connection next of the fuel pump (on the starboard side engine forward motor mount) and use a voltage meter to see if power is present when you FIRST turn the key to the on position. It will cycle each time the key is turned off then back on so be conscious of that. If no power at any point, check fuse/replace fuse and test again. If still no power at any time, the relay is bad, swap with known good on the engine and test again. If still no good, bad ECM but that's a bridge we don't want to cross. The fuel pump is bad only if power is present but the pump doesn't cycle. If the pump cycles, you have an ignition problem. Did you replace the ignition module inside the distributor, below the rotor?

[Goofyr44]

Hey, I have your same boat 1999 Tige 2100 V Riders Edition and went through a similar fiasco. It has 800 hours on the original mercruiser MPI 350 mag. Bought the boat in 2018 and every single one of my issues has been "fuel" related.

My best advice to you is to get a fuel pressure gauge and hook that up to the rail so you can see what the fuel pressure is at all times. With that connected, you can see what the fuel pressure is when you turn the key (which sends fuel to the fuel pump) and also when the engine is running. Check the manuals to see what the fuel pressure should be at all times. The fuel pressure should hold and not drop lower than 1 or 2 psi.

I had to replace the original fuel pump based on what i saw from these readings. I also had to replace the fuel pressure regulator. Also had a bunch of crap in my fuel tank (that accumulated over the years). I also found some pretty cheap Chinese fuel injectors on ebay/amazon and replaced all 8 of those which made a big difference for me as well.

Hope this helps.

John

Thanks for all the helpful advice. I do plan on hooking up a fuel pressure gauge to the rails so I can see the pressure. How was changing the fuel pump? It is in a super awkward location and it appears to have a plastic cover on it. Did you have any issues with the relays? Did you end up buying that antivapor lock cool fuel pump kit. Thanks again

[Goofyr44]

Boatwakes.

Whats up buddy. I was under the impression there was a oil pressure connection to the fuel pump. Basically what I mean that if the oil pressure sensor goes out, I assumed it would not let the fuel pump activate to prevent any oil pressure issues. I do plan on checking the fuel pressure and plan on keeping the gage in place for monitoring purposes. I really appreciate all the helpful knowledge especially the detailed locations of where things are located. I know my way around an engine just enough to get by. Im machinist and a pump mechanic so its all kind of relative but not at the same time. I am going to do all the above checks you listed to try an narrow these gremlins down that keep attacking my progress.

I did not change the ignition module below the rotor yet. As far as ignition stuff I changed the cap, rotor, plugs, wire, and ignition coil. should I go ahead and change out the ignition module while I'm at it? I talked to someone about changing it when I was having my initial problems with the engine missing. But after changing the above listed parts the boat ran like a dream. The engine felt strong and didn't hesitate at all. It was just odd/weird to me that the boat ran fine and then decided not to crank. This is the first time, since I ve owned it, that I was not able to get fuel when cranking.

I really appreciate your advice and I am going to get on those checks tomorrow or the next day. I am very ready to have a fully functioning dependable boat and have a good summer on the water with the family.

[Goofyr44]

Pardon my ignorance but what type of fuel pressure gage should I buy? Does the gage have a particular range I need to look for? Can I just pick one up ant any auto parts store?


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[boatwakes]

The running fuel pressure is 32 psi so I installed a liquid filled gauge with a 1/8"npt male fitting, I believe it read to 50psi. I used a 1/4"npt to 1/8"npt brass bushing on the fuel rail plug (Allen head plug on the opposite rail) and then a 1/8"npt street elbow for the gauge to screw into. Unfortunately I can't find any pics of it and I sold that boat recently. Heres a link to a similar gauge:https://www.amazon.com/Speed-Pressur.../dp/B0057324M2

Also yes, use only OEM and replace the ignition sensor if the current sensor only has two wires, white with red and white with green. If it has the third black wire, it has already been replaced. The old two wire modules present in various ways, one of which is intermittent start. Heres the link with part number if your serial number is greater than OL304600 and above:
SENSOR ASSEMBLY #87-892150Q02, https://www.amazon.com/IGNITION-SENS...4&sr=8-2-fkmr0

[Goofyr44]

2001 21V Riders Edition Fuel Pump or Oil Pressure Switch

Thanks for the info. I m going to piece this stuff together and give it a whirl. Just found a gauge and all the fittings. Did you have any clearance issues with the gauge and the flame arrestor or cover?
Also going to look at the ignition module and see which one I have.

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[Goofyr44]

The running fuel pressure is 32 psi so I installed a liquid filled gauge with a 1/8"npt male fitting, I believe it read to 50psi. I used a 1/4"npt to 1/8"npt brass bushing on the fuel rail plug (Allen head plug on the opposite rail) and then a 1/8"npt street elbow for the gauge to screw into. Unfortunately I can't find any pics of it and I sold that boat recently. Heres a link to a similar gauge:https://www.amazon.com/Speed-Pressur.../dp/B0057324M2

Also yes, use only OEM and replace the ignition sensor if the current sensor only has two wires, white with red and white with green. If it has the third black wire, it has already been replaced. The old two wire modules present in various ways, one of which is intermittent start. Heres the link with part number if your serial number is greater than OL304600 and above:
SENSOR ASSEMBLY #87-892150Q02, https://www.amazon.com/IGNITION-SENS...4&sr=8-2-fkmr0

Whats up Boatwakes and JSMULLEN. So........I got a 0-60 liquid filled gage and planned on installing it on the fuel rail this afternoon. I found the Schrader valve on the starboard side near the back of the boat. I also found the 2 Allen head plugs on the port side front and back. I have a few questions about the fuel rail. Do you have to depressure the fuel rail before loosening the Allen plug? If so do you depressure it via the Schrader valve? After the gage is installed and after the fuel pump primes for those 2 seconds upon start up, will the fuel gage read pressure? Or will it only read pressure while the fuel pump is pumping into the rail?

I also checked both fuel relays, to look for any melted or broken connections. None found. I cleaned them just in case. I also verified the distributor ignition sensor and it had the three wires so it was changed. I also took the distributor cap off and cleaned the points and rotor. The cap and rotor are new but I noticed they had a slight bit of wear on them but that could be from normally use. I noticed the bottom of the distributor had some holes in the bottom where it looked like moisture had seeped in. Do I need to fill those holes with silicone or are they drain holes.

I had my wife turn the key to the on position and I could hear the fuel pump prime for about 2 or 3 seconds. So I thought what the hell let me try and start the boat. It started right up without any hesitation. So......my question is what is going on! I must have Gremlins living in the boat. Many people on this site have said that the 21V had a problem with vapor lock. Could that be the culprit? I've never experienced vapor lock so I don't know what the signs are. Is there anything else I need to check? What else would cause the boat to not crank after running for a bit?

I really appreciate the help that everyone gives on this site. It has been super helpful with my journey on this boat.

[TeamAllen]

https://www.perfprotech.com/blog/art...ser-vapor-lock

[Goofyr44]

Thanks Allen. I read that TSB earlier on here. I saw that one member placed a low pressure fuel pump inline from the tank and it solved his issue. This member said he bought a regular low pressure pump from an auto part store and used it to see it would work and it did.


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[TeamAllen]

Thanks Allen. I read that TSB earlier on here. I saw that one member placed a low pressure fuel pump inline from the tank and it solved his issue. This member said he bought a regular low pressure pump from an auto part store and used it to see it would work and it did.

You're correct, I was going to do the same but boatwakes advised me to buy the proper kit from Mercruiser (which I did). There are safety measures built into the kit so you aren't pumping fuel without the engine running. It could be dangerous filling up your bilge with fuel. The Merc kit worked for me.

[Goofyr44]

2001 21V Riders Edition Fuel Pump or Oil Pressure Switch

How was the installation on the kit?


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[TeamAllen]

Very easy. I have a direct drive, so it might have been a little easier on my particular model. The wiring plugs into your existing wiring harness and you need to mount the new fuel pump by cutting a section out. I will see if I took any pictures.

[Goofyr44]

Awesome buddy thanks for the reply. I’ve been researching this all day trying to find installation pics, manuals,etc. I really appreciate everyone’s input.


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