Fuel Pump?

[Stoneman]

Will I ever make it all the way through the season without a major breakdown? First it was the prop and shaft, then the transmission, the impella and now the fuel pump?? Needless to say this is starting to get old! I'll take the hit for the prop and shaft, but the rest of this stuff is making me think twice about my decission to buy a Tige...especially when my buddies Malibu has been the one to tow me back to the marina all four times!

Anyways...2002, Tige 20i with the Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI. Day 4 of 5 day trip, full tank of gas, flying up river without a care in the world when all of the sudden the enigne just quits. No strange sounds...nothing...just dead in the water. Every time I try to restart it, it turns over, starts up briefly and then dies within 1-2 seconds. Tow it back to the marina dna the mechanic tells me it's the fuel pump. He hooks up a gauge to the engine, looks like a air valve next to the carb/fuel injectors and it reads 0...he tells me it should read 40 at least. So I guess I'll take his word for it????

Anybody else experince anything like this? I'm in the process of trying to get a new fuel pump, but I need to make sure I get the right one because I left the boat at my place on the river (Az) and I'm back here in San Diego. I wrote down every # I could find on the engine and feul pump, but I'm still concerned.

Any help would be greatly appreciated...

[R&T Babich]

Our 2000 21V has the 350 Mag MPI and it probably uses the same pump - #861156A1. Use the Mercury Marine website Parts Locator and your engine serial no. to get the exact part number. For ours the pump itself has been discontinued, but is included in the pump/cooler assembly for substantially more $$. I picked up a new spare pump on eBay for $185 and the guy still has some left. The pump is just a higher pressure electric pump for the fuel injection system. There is a fitting that looks like a bicycle tire pump fitting on the fuel rails where a gauge can be hooked up to measure the system pressure - 35-40 PSI. The gauges are available at Harbor Freight. There are pipe fittings on the ends of the rails where a pressure gauge could be added instead of the quick disconnect test kit.

How many hours on your boat? Just wondering how long the pumps last.

[Stoneman]

OK, that's almost the same number I took off what I figured was the fuel pump located inside of the mercruiser cool fuel box. My # is 861156-1 1941/A. Glad to hear I'm looking at the right thing...but I don't like hearing that it's discontinued???

The bike pump looking valve on the fuel rail is where the mechanic hooked up the gauge that read 0 and he told me should read 40, so it sounds like he may have made the correct diagnosis.

Do you have a link or a contact # for the guy on ebay in case I need it?

To answer your question, the boat only has 155 hours on it...all fresh water, with regular maintenance and a lot of TLC.

[mainiak1]

I would check the fuel pump relay before you replace the fuel pump. Try bypassing the relay.

[Stoneman]

can you tell me how??

[R&T Babich]

maniak1 is absolutely right - forgot to start at the begining of basic troubleshooting of an electrical component. First check the fuses, then check relays if present, reseat any connectors, look for cut wires, try jumping 12v directly to the pump.
In the lower right corner of the photo to the left of the coil is a capped off cable. Carefully remove the rubber endcap, there are 3 mini-blade fuses in there - 2 10A and 1 15A if I remember. One of those might be for the fuel pump. To the left of that endcap are two square black boxes which are relays. See if a wire from the fuel pump matches the color going to one of those.

[Stoneman]

OK...I found the fuel pump on eBay for $169 (claims it's new). My local mechanic wants $305. eBay is always such a risk...I know I can trust my mechanic, but $100+ is a big difference . The eBay seller is K and K Marine Inc. out of Maryland-anybody have any experience with them. Babich is this the place you got yours? If so, was it in fact new and were you satisfied?

[R&T Babich]

The pump I got is from K and K Marine. It looks new, never installed. It didn't come in a factory bag or anything, but it came quick.

Check those fuses first, unless you really want a spare. After finding those 3 mini-blade fuses I carry spares for them, too.

[chpthril]

I'll make it even easier......the pump needs 12v and ground to run, so check for that at the pump first instead of checking the entire electrical system.

You know the pump is not working hence the 0 psi. 12v @ pump = bad pump. No 12v = work toward the source (relay, switch, battery) til you find where the voltage/ground stops. Easy to diagnose/repair, just need to approach wisely.

[teachercop]

Stoneman.....what is your status on this 'fuel pump' situation.....

I may have the solution......

[Stoneman]

Got a new fuel pump and I'll be heading out to the river Thurs. to try and fix it.

[Stoneman]

Alright...just got back from the river and the verdict is in. It was a fuse! Thanks Babich-it was the 15 amp mini fuse that you mentioned and I would have never known it was there if you didn't point me in the right direction. Anyways, $2 (marina price) for a new fuse beats $300 for the fuel pump! Once I got the fuse replaced, the boat ran like a champ all weekend. Hope I can say the same in two weeks after we've been on Naciemento for 6 days straight.

[R&T Babich]

Hey, that's great Stoneman! Glad to be of help. I got curious about that endcap connector one day and was suprised to find the 3 mini-blade fuses in there. The engines are installed as a complete running unit and it makes sense there are fuses on the engine somewhere for all the electrical stuff - pump,ECM,etc. There certainly aren't any fuse panels anywhere else in the boat. Fuses can blow at any time, so I always carry spares.

We just got back from a 9-day trip to Berryessa and had a great time. The lake was down about 15 feet, more than I had seen in 6 years. You might want to check on the level at Nacimiento. We heard it's way down, too. I found this article http://www.newtimesslo.com/index.php...rticle&id=2633 that says it's at 40% capacity, but I don't know how bad that is.

[Stoneman]

I too figured there must be fuses in there somewhere, but couldn't find them-glad to see Mercruiser has them clearly labeled??? Anyhow, probelm solved and we're good to go. Does anybody know of a more detailed owners manual-like the ones a mechanic would use?

The water issue at Naciemento definately has me concerned, but we've had this trip planned for almost a year now and the people at the lake resorts keep telling us it's fine. In fact they say the water being down has just created more beaches. I was looking forward to the benefits of a lake with deep water versus what I'm used to at the river, but I guess I'll have to be looking out for submerged obstacles here too.

[dogbert]

I'd get a map of the lake. Many times you can get them at a local gas station or convenience store. They'll usually mark depths and obstacles. It won't be as accurate as a marine chart, but it's better than nothing. From there, you'll know where to stay away from.