2000 Elite Bowrider Possible Fuel Issue

[Hud Hall 0]

Out on lake today, pulling tube, then engine sounded like it was running out of fuel. At first it would run at partial throttle, then it quit running. You could turn engine on, hear fuel pump, start engine, then engine would run a few seconds and die. It sounds like it runs out of fuel. Tank 1/2 full, had pretty much cleaned tank out at beginning of season, Lucas injector cleaner currently in gas.
This is a new boat to me; I have currently put about 15 hours on it since I bought it with no issues at all. Boat has about 550 hours on it; Mercruiser 350Mag with Cool Fuel on it.

 

Have not yet replaced water separating fuel filter; was going to do that first to eliminate simple things. Thought is that fuel pump is going bad. I don't see a Schrader valve on the fuel rail, although there is a plug on one end of the rail that I can tap for fuel pressure. Does this boat have 2 fuel pumps on it? Haven't studied it too close yet. I do know that the high pressure (cool fuel) pump is running, although I haven't verified pressure. Not sure about low pressure pump or if I even have one.

 

Thanks in advance for any help!

[Stretch 409]

Before you get ahead of yourself are you positive it has half a tank or are you taking that from the gauge?

 

I had almost the exact same conditions this spring only to realize my fuel gauge isn't anywhere close to accurate.

[Hud Hall 0]

I have verified that the gauge is accurate (by pretty much running it empty earlier in the season), and I also looked at the tank.

 

From observation, it looks like the fuel tank is about 1/2 full, maybe a little less. I could see the level of gas in the tank.

 

It would be nice if it was that simple, but I'm afraid that fuel level isn't the issue.

[TL68 40]

Throwing darts here... change you filters. If you ran it almost empty, maybe you pulled some muck out of the tank into your filter(s). Check your plugs and distributor. Rule out some of the cheaper fixes first.

[truekaotik 458]

cap and rotor..... First thing I would check....

 

 

Don't want to say it but.... From running it dry before you may of killed one of your fuel pumps...

Edited June 15, 2015 by truekaotik

[Hud Hall 0]

I will definitely try the filter(s) first. Question: where is the low pressure fuel pump if my engine has one? I'm going to stop by my buddy's dock today and look for it, and the inline filter I keep reading about on this forum. I know where the water separating fuel filter is, but I have not searched for the low pressure pump. If I have an inline fuel filter, my plans are to change it and the water separator first.

 

When I say I ran the tank dry at the beginning of the season, it was pretty much dry. After the last round of tubing earlier this spring, I had the boat sitting at the dock. When I cranked it up to go to the ramp, it would start up and then stop; it was very low on gas. At that point, I poured 5 gallons in it to get to the ramp, and I have not had any trouble since. That was about 8 hours of run time ago.

 

Any advice on where the low pressure pump is (if I have one) and the inline fuel filter would be appreciated. This is a 2000 Elite Bowrider direct drive, so the engine is easily accessible.

 

Thanks!

[slvrbulit 6]

When was the last time you changed your impeller? I had the same problem, I could hear the fuel pump turn on, would turn over and start then die. The problem turned out to be the impeller was shot. What is your temp gauge saying?

[Skibumm 184]

It stopped because you were having it pull a tube. Good suggestions above I just wanted to be the first to give a tubing jab. We went a total of 4 days at Powell before we blew up the tube. I think it was a record. Usually the kids all want to tube right out of the gate.

[TL68 40]

That's funny Ski. Did the same last weekend.

[Hud Hall 0]

Temp gauge is fine; about 160. Impeller is new (according to owner I purchased it from), and I have a new spare as well.

 

Went down yesterday afternoon to hunt for fuel pump #2; I only saw a black hose running to the water separating fuel filter setup. Not sure I have a second fuel pump or inline filter unless it's under the floor panel behind the engine cover.

 

Funny thing is that the boat cranked up fine and ran fine yesterday afternoon. I plan to put it on the trailer today and get it back home so I can hunt for second pump. Can anyone elaborate here on whether or not I have 2 fuel pumps? Also makes me wonder if some crap was stopping the fuel flow to the water separator, and then worked itself loose from Sunday afternoon to yesterday afternoon.

 

I did pick up a new water separating fuel filter; will replace it this evening.

 

Thanks!

[TL68 40]

Not sure if there's two or not. Make sure you fill the new separator with fresh gas be fore installing it.

[Hud Hall 0]

Update: boat ran just fine going to boat ramp. Trailered it back home and began the search for fuel pump #2. There isn't one.

 

I have not replaced the water separating fuel filter yet; will do that in the next evening or two. Still do not know why the boat quit running last Sunday.

 

Daughter's birthday party is on the lake Saturday, so hopefully I won't have any issues. If I do, my buddy's boat will be there too.

[Nick213 583]

I had a similar experience with my last boat and it turned out there was water in the gas.

[Rhale 80]

My old Malibu would get vapor lock really easy. Granted that was if we had been pulling someone,,and then shut off the engine and the heat built up in the engine compartment. Symptoms sound the same.

[boatnut 230]

My old Malibu would get vapor lock really easy. Granted that was if we had been pulling someone,,and then shut off the engine and the heat built up in the engine compartment. Symptoms sound the same.

Hence part of the reason why newer engines have two pumps, to prevent vapor lock...