Engine Dies on Arrival

[acoulson]

34 Hours on a 2009 20V and until the last 30 minutes, it has been perfect. As I slowed to dock the engine sputtered and died - would not restart. I assumed I was a bonehead and misread the fuel gage so put in 1 gallon of spare gas. It started and was fine except when I took it to the marina it only took about 1/2 tank to fill... So it was not empty but the act of either 1) time or 2) opening fuel cap or 3) potentially cooling down made a difference?

Since then it has started and ran well but dies when I slow to dock. Temp gage seems consistent. Can I put something in the fuel to eliminate airlock or water? Ideas?

Thanks - Stuck Canuk.

[Timmy!]

Clogged fuel filter maybe?

[Tanner]

How are you judging that the tank is full? If your just going by when fuel shoots out the vent tube, first thing I would check is that your vent tube isn't clogged. This would be why your only getting a half tank in there. Thus making you think it's full, when it's really not. Don't rely on your gas guage.... they don't work for crap.

Now if your seeing the gas in the gas cap area and stopping then, then you need to look else where.

I'd almost put money it's the vent tube though.


****EDIT****

NVM.... didn't see the last part of your post about running fine until slowing now. Check your water fuel seperator (fuel filter). Make sure there's no water in there. You can try some HEAT to help get the water out. A bottle of stabil isn't a bad idea either.

[dogbert]

[QUOTE=Tanner;362352]How are you judging that the tank is full? If your just going by when fuel shoots out the vent tube, first thing I would check is that your vent tube isn't clogged. This would be why your only getting a half tank in there. Thus making you think it's full, when it's really not. Don't rely on your gas guage.... they don't work for crap.

Now if your seeing the gas in the gas cap area and stopping then, then you need to look else where.

I'd almost put money it's the vent tube though.
[QUOTE]

Tanner's right. If you're filling the boat up too fast, then it will act like it's full and not really be full. Boats have very flat gas tanks, which makes it difficult to get an accurate reading from the gas gauge and fill them up quickly. Try filling it on the slowest setting at the pump.

[acoulson]

Engine Dies on Arrival

Thanks ! I will try a couple of things 1) Add stabilizer as there have been sever temp fluxuations up here ( 30 to 100 degrees variance in a matter of weeks ) and 2)have someone look at the Fuel water separator so I can rip some turns when I get there next week. Amazing response - much appreciated. ac

[Lucky 275]

make sure the batteries have a full charge as well

[acoulson]

Engine Back off Life Support !

So the problem was not gas, battery , throttle control or any one of 20 or 30 sending units - but an obscure placement of the distributor cap at manufacture causing the RPM to cary wildly due to electrical arcing from nearby compoennts - once the cap was re-located, the RPM stabilized into an acceptable range and the arcing stopped.

Once the problem was found they weer amazed it ran at all...lucky for the first 32 hours I guess.

This was after about 15 hours of diagnostics by a very reputable shop - tough problem but I am back on the water - and wish the fix had solved my offside turn...;-0 Thanks for all your suggestions - add this one to the rare and bizarre fixes category!

ac