Boat problem

[mcmtrader]

About a month ago I had to have my fuel pump replaced after bringing it out of winter hibernation. I think the cause of it was that I-27 marine in Lubbock did not run my boat last year fter putting in the fuel stabilizer. I think they just added it to the tank. Regardless of what caused the fuel pump failure, I had motor problems again yesterday. I purchased gasoline at this backward *** dump at Lake Alan Henry called Brenda's Last Chance, before putting in the water. I had about a quarter of a tank of gas before filling up. The boat ran fine for about an hour, but then after stopping to anchor for a swim, the motor wouldn't start. It turned over no problem, but there was no ignition. Then about 15 minutes later I tried again and it fired right up, and we went surfing for about 30 minutes. We returned back to the same area to anchor for a swim, and when I tried to start it to leave, same problem. This time it was dead for good. Plenty of starting power, just no ignition. It sounds exactly like it did before replacing the fuel pump just 1 month ago. Is there a fuel filter on these boats. I was wondering it possibly there might be a blockage in the fuel filter. I hope it something that simple. Any thoughts would be appreciated. As it stands now my boat is dead.

[dogbert]

I don't fuel stabilizer will prevent fuel pump failures. Bad gas will cause the kind of issues you're talking about. Another possible cause on your Mercruiser (which I assume you have) is a bad distributor cap/rotor.

Your boat's old enough where if you haven't replaced the fuel pressure regulator, it probably needs replacing. Some of the additives (including ethanol) now being mandated by the Feds are really hard on the type of fuel pressure regulator (it's essentially a diaphragm).

I'd pull one of the plugs to see if you're getting fuel into the cylinder (if you are, you'll see it on the plug as well). If you are getting fuel, check the distributor cap.

If you aren't getting fuel, have your service guy check the codes on the engine. That's the only way we were able to tell that my engine had a fuel pressure regulator problem. It's a real pain to fix on a V-Drive.

[AdaminMN]

When it wont start do you see fuel being sprayed in the throttle body? You'll need to remove the flame arrestor to see it. That'll tell you if the fuel pumps working. If it's spraying stick something in there and get some gas on it so you can smell it. It may be spraying water, not fuel. If your setup to surf and there is water in the gas tank it'll travel to the low side. If that is the opposite side of the fuel pickup your OK, but if the pick up is on the low side when surfing, it'll pick up the water in the bottom of the tank.

[pklakeguy]

I had a problem with vapor lock in mine. Anytime we would ski or move from one part of the lake to another and then dock, it would not start. There was a bad seal in my fuel line, and it would let the fuel settle and form an vapor pocket that wouldn't let it start. I would purge the line and it would run like a champ. Then I tightened all the clamps and haven't had a problem since. I would try this before getting a new fuel pump!

[PolaPirate]

When you turn the ignition on before cranking do you hear the pump run? (should run for about 2 sec).
If you hear the pump run, it’s a fuel quality or supply problem. Check fuel first, then filter/water separator, but I must agree with dogbert the most likely is the pressure regulator. The diaphragms perish and or the little filter under the regulator clogs (causes fuel starvation and also makes the pump work harder which causes them to fail).
If you don’t hear the pump at key on, it may be the supply relay. There are two in the engine electric box. One is fuel and the other ignition. They are exactly the same swap them round and see if the pump runs at key on. If it does it’s the relay. Let me know what model your motor is and I may able to send the extracts you need from the workshop manual.

[hillboy700]

hate to hijack

I do not like to hijack but my 2004 22v keeps dieing in rough water and then will not start for 15-20 tries. Of course this is always rough water and heavy wind. I have an MPI 335 HP motor and I'm telling you it is getting dangerous.


Bill