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Help...engine starving for fuel......Horible day @ San Diego
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Author:  audible [ Sun Dec 06, 2009 1:17 am ]
Post subject:  Help...engine starving for fuel......Horible day @ San Diego
Went to Mission Bay today. :?

This is a long one, sorry: This was the first trip out since I got the boat. Ran for two hours around the bay fine. High speed and 5mph cruising...then it sputtered while going 5mph...came back...sputtered and died (like starving for fuel, had half tank). Would not restart Had to use my cost-gaurd regulation paddle/oar :shock: . Was just able to paddle boat to a dock at Paradise Point before hitting the rocks just past it...LUCKY. Gas gauge does not work, allways shows full. So, I thought maybe I was low on fuel :( . Got a guy to sell me a gallon...just enough to get accross channel to the fuel station by Sea World. Got it started after it sat for 30 min and went accross the channel. Fueled, but would only take 15 gallons, so there was more than half in there!! Started back to Paradise Point to collect my wife and son and the darn thing died again just accross the channel......by the rocks of course! Guy on a wave-runner saw me and was able to slowly tow me to the dock. Called Vessel Assist and they wanted $200.00 for a tow! :x It started again...so, wife and I decided to just make a run for South Shore ramp where truck was. Made it half way and it died. :x Luckly Richy-Rich was cruising by in his 40+ footer and offered to tow us the rest of the way. Got to watch the game on his 42 plasma from our boat while being towed! :mrgreen: Nice guy would not take any money for his trouble. Getting it on the trailer was fun too with no power, but thats another story.

So, now:
- I'm home
- Flushed as good as I could with the muffs/garden hose by cranking engine for a few soconds at a time (would'nt start).
- Called a few people and the concensous is a pluged fuel filter (don't know when or if it has ever been changed).
- Do recall fuel pump whining more than normal or louder than it was.
- So, Monday I'm going to change fuel filter (can I get this at NAPA or Auto Zone or is it boat store only thing?) and see if there is a difference. If not it's off to the "stealer-ship".
- Can anyone help me with step by step instructions on changing fuel filter? Any magic tricks?
- Anyone have any advice on my issue/symptoms?????

Thanks for reading. Audible :(
Author:  LouC [ Sun Dec 06, 2009 2:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help...engine starving for fuel......Horible day @ San Diego
The fuel filter is a standard marine item if you have the typical water separating fuel filter that looks like an oil filter...they can be found at marine stores for about eight bucks each (Sierra 10 micron is good)...the fuel pump (electric) on the Volvos has been reported to be problematic in some years and they are pretty expensive...the other things it could be are a corroded anti siphon valve (I had this problem on my 88 FW) it's a spring loaded valve on top of the gas tank that keeps gas from siphoning out of the tank into the bilge if the fuel line to the fuel filter leaks...but if it corrodes the fuel pumps suction can't suck fuel through it. The last possibility is the fuel tank vent that could be plugged up but that's pretty rare in my experience....Hope it's not the pump because they are pricey..
Author:  audible [ Sun Dec 06, 2009 2:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help...engine starving for fuel......Horible day @ San Diego
Is the anti-siphon valve accessible on my 1997 225 Sundowner?? :?:
Author:  LouC [ Sun Dec 06, 2009 10:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help...engine starving for fuel......Horible day @ San Diego
I'm not sure of the set up on yours but on mine there is a big rectangular cover over the gas tank that you can remove to access it. If not then there is often a circular deck panel that is right over where the fuel lines come out of the tank that you can remove for access. It looks like a right angle fitting that screws into the top of the tank and has the smaller diameter fuel line coming off of it...on a boat that age (going on 13 years old) it's certainly a possiblility but the fuel pump is just as likely...anti siphon is a whole lot cheaper though...mine had this problem and the symptom was it would start fine..idle fine...rev up in neutral fine...but would not plane out the boat...I tried everything I could think of and then took it to a good mechanic...he rebuilt the carb (needed at 14 yrs old) and replaced the antisiphon and it's been fine ever since (back in 2004).
Author:  audible [ Sun Dec 06, 2009 1:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help...engine starving for fuel......Horible day @ San Diego
Thanks. Going to try:
- Fuel filter
- check anti-siphon valve
- has fresh fuel with Seafoam in it.
- pray :?
Author:  jvthundercat [ Sun Dec 06, 2009 9:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help...engine starving for fuel......Horible day @ San Diego
If it's a spin on canister filter, make sure you pour some gas in the filter before you screw it back on. This can cause you another problem with the pump not being able to pull fuel into the new dry filter.
It's a 350 chevy, just make sure it's a fuel problem and not an ignition problem.
Author:  Cap'n Morgan [ Mon Dec 07, 2009 3:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help...engine starving for fuel......Horible day @ San Diego
Maybe you need higher octane fuel for your "Corvette" motor. :wink:
Author:  Wet Doggg [ Mon Dec 07, 2009 3:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help...engine starving for fuel......Horible day @ San Diego
Cap'n Morgan wrote:
Maybe you need higher octane fuel for your "Corvette" motor. :wink:


Maybe racing gas?
Author:  millhaven_nice_guy [ Mon Dec 07, 2009 4:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help...engine starving for fuel......Horible day @ San Diego
I had this exact same problem with my 98 Horizon 200. I had to change the fuel pump relay and the fuel pump in order to get the boat running properly. The relay must have went bad and fried the motor in the fuel pump! Start with the relay because they are cheap.

Here's how to check out your system.
1- take fuel line off carburator and place it inside a clear small pop bottle.
2- Try and run the motor by pouring gas down the carb
3- If it runs and the fuel pump is good then you will be getting fuel into the bottle. Unlike an EFI system, the fuel pumps don't run unless the motor is turning (Atleast that's what I remember)
4- There is a screen at the carb inlet that you can check for obstructions and changing the fuel filter isn't bad idea either.
5- Even if she runs, buy all the parts discussed above and keep them on the boat (alomng with tools). You don't ever want to be stranded like this again and eventually it will happen again!

Problems like this are very frustrating but spending some $ to keep your family safe is priceless. The last thing you want is to not trust your boat or Momma and the Kids are afraid to go out!
Author:  BoatCrazy [ Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help...engine starving for fuel......Horible day @ San Diego
For what it's worth, I had a similar problem with my 4.3L VP GL. It would run great until I shut it down and sat for awhile. When I went to restart, it would start, run fine for about 2 or 3 minutes, then sputter and die. I checked the filter, the anti-siphon valve and made sure the pump was pumping. I eventually concluded that the engine compartment was getting too hot causing vapor lock. I rerouted the blower hose to get better air circulation and have not had the problem since. Just another possibility.
Author:  ht32bsx115 [ Tue Dec 08, 2009 2:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help...engine starving for fuel......Horible day @ San Diego
Howdy,


It's very unlikely that you're getting vapor lock......(Especially in DEC!!)

You need to start at the tank and work your way to the engine.

Check and clean the fuel tank screen, replace the anti-siphon valve, replace the fuel filter.

If you have an electric fuel pump, you can test the whole mess for fuel flow..... you can also do it with a mechanical but you'll have to crank the engine. I would remove the plugs so it cranks a little easier and power the starter directly so the ignition is NOT powered.

Also, since this is a fairly old boat, I would replace the fuel lines from the tank to the fuel pump. If it's carbureted, you probably have a steel line from the fuel pump to the carb, You don't need to replace that. Someone mentioned the carb fuel filter......It's unlikely it is plugged as long as your spin-on filter is not compromised but I'd still check it. If everything else is ok, you'll need to replace/rebuild the carb.



Yesterday wouldn't have been a good time to be in San Diego! It rained a bit :shock: there!! I was flying in from Mexico and we tried to land 3 times and eventually went to LA! What a nightmare! We ended up back in SD about 2 hrs later!!


Cheers,

Rick
Author:  EvilZ [ Tue Dec 08, 2009 6:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help...engine starving for fuel......Horible day @ San Diego
Rick - Yes, yesterday was our annual rain-day here...congratulations on choosing yesterday to arrive! :D

Audible - sorry you had such a rough day, but hopefully the issue will be relatively straight-forward to resolve. One of the joys of being a boat owner.

Glad to hear that a couple of folks gave you a tow. Make sure to "pay it forward" when you are on the water in the future!

Erik
Author:  audible [ Mon Jun 07, 2010 3:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help...engine starving for fuel......Horible day @ San Diego
Fuel issue was fixed, $800.00. No just trying to figure out my trim issues. :x
Author:  298VISTA2000 [ Mon Jun 07, 2010 4:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help...engine starving for fuel......Horible day @ San Diego
audible wrote:
Fuel issue was fixed, $800.00. No just trying to figure out my trim issues. :x


I take it that it was more than changing out the fuel filters? What all did you have done?
Author:  audible [ Tue Jun 08, 2010 10:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help...engine starving for fuel......Horible day @ San Diego
Whole new fuel "module" from Sweden. :shock:
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