Boat starts and idles then dies

[zombie01]

Hello,

Looking for some guidance. 2006 24VE 340 horse Marine Power with 60 hrs. Get boat out this summer to get ready for season. Found rain water had accumulated under the engine and in the valley of the hull. Maybe up to bottom of oil pan. Drained the water out, checked all fluids (good with no milky consistency)installed new batteries and ran in driveway with hose. Boat ran good for approximately 20 minutes then idled down and sputtered until it died. Attempted to start again, but it would not start again. I let it sit for about 2-3 minutes and it started and then ran for a moment and did the same thing. I can hear the fuel pump on the side of the engine "prime" and then stop after about 15 seconds when the key is in the on position. When it does run, the engine sounds like it's "sucking for air" when it does die like it's starving. Could water contamination be the culprit? Not sure if this model has a separator, if so any clues on location and servicing it? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Note: first time in forum.

[chpthril]

Yes, your Marine Power 340 has a fuel/water separator. It's located on the port side front of engine. Do a search and you should find a couple threads with pics and descriptions of how to change it.

It has gas, right?

[zombie01]

Yeah, gas tank is full. I even pulled the floor to make sure. The gauge has been acting a little erratic, so I wanted to be sure. I did find the Marine Power website and another site to obtain the filter element. Any experience with something like this happening. I'm hoping it's a simple maintenance issue. Thanks.

[hillboy700]

Yeah, gas tank is full. I even pulled the floor to make sure. The gauge has been acting a little erratic, so I wanted to be sure. I did find the Marine Power website and another site to obtain the filter element. Any experience with something like this happening. I'm hoping it's a simple maintenance issue. Thanks.

My boat just started doing the exact same thing, pulled the water seperator but it still does the same thing. Im thinking bad fuel pump how much pressuer are you supposed to have at the scrader valve on the fuel rail? Im taking it in Tuesday to have the dealer look at it I do not ahve the time.

[chpthril]

Yeah, gas tank is full. I even pulled the floor to make sure. The gauge has been acting a little erratic, so I wanted to be sure. I did find the Marine Power website and another site to obtain the filter element. Any experience with something like this happening. I'm hoping it's a simple maintenance issue. Thanks.

When you pull the filter, try to catch as much of the fuel as possible, pour it into a glass jar and let it settle. If there's water in it, it will separate.

[BlakeHoward]

I had this exact issue on a new to me 2004 22V, first day on the water, first crank. Mine turned out to be the fuel pump. Still trying to get it fixed, but Marine Power is taking forever to send out the new pump (almost three weeks out of the water now). Hope you'll have better luck!

[hillboy700]

OH crap this is bad 3 weeks I may put an alternate pump in to get me by I'm sure an inline 30 psi pump would work as long as the water seperator is still active.

[zombie01]

Blakehoward, Check marineparts.com and make sure the repair shop checks too. I've been checking for MarinePower engine parts for three days now and they are the only ones that seem to have the fuel pumps for these engines in stock. Hope this helps.

[SPBFAN]

OH crap this is bad 3 weeks I may put an alternate pump in to get me by I'm sure an inline 30 psi pump would work as long as the water seperator is still active.

That is a 55 psi system make sure you get the pump to supply the correct pressure or you will toast injectors.