www.iFourWinns.com

Hi from John in Australia. I took my 288 vista out yesterday. It went fine until I had one empty tank. Then It stopped. I still had 1/4 tank left. Any people had experiences with the gauges being wrong. I still had heaps of power(12Volt) but engines would not run. do you think its bad fuel. Also any suggestions in keeping the camper covers servicable like what do I put on them and the zippers. Thanks heaps...

John in Australia,

Hi John, I ran out of fuel just after I bought my boat, gauges read close to empty but not quite, and engines stopped. Luckily a passer by gave me a tow as I was near the main channel in Sydney Harbour with ferries everywhere
It took quite a bit of starting when I did put fuel in, the fuel takes a while to be sucked (or primed, it is self priming though)up by the pump.
Good luck
Robbi

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2008 V288 with twin 5 litre Seacores
http://www.galwayhouse.com.au

Hi John,
We ran out of gas on our first tankful. The gauge was still showing a more than 1/8 tank so I was surprised. Our dealer did recalibrate the sensor so it is more accurate. I now have a good feel of our run time and base fill ups more on hours than the gauge. I guess this is something they don't spend a lot of time on at the factory.

We got a tow back to the dock, filled up and it took right off.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

Cheers Friends...

Hi John did you get it restarted OK?

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2008 V288 with twin 5 litre Seacores
http://www.galwayhouse.com.au

I had the same exact problem a week ago! My port side engine seems to draw a bit more that the right.
The guage read just above the 1/8 tank mark when I lost power. I am wondering if the design of the fuel tanks will not allow the engine to suck up the bottom of the tank.

I limped back on one engine and 300 bucks later my engine fired right up.

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Chris
04 288 Vista

I was wondering the same thing. My port side tank is lower than the Starboard. It is a little more than an 1/8 difference.

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2001 Sundowner 235

for that very reason, I now keep my starboard tank closed and run on my port side tank. At least when its empty next time I will have a whole tank to get home and fill up.

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2008 V288 with twin 5 litre Seacores
http://www.galwayhouse.com.au

Be careful that you don't create a listing issue running one tank so low while the other stays full. The best is to run each engine from its own tank. The advanatages are:
1: Weight distribution is kept even
2: Fuel is used from both so one doesn't go stale or collect moisture.
3: You don't take the chance of killing both engines if fuel from one tank gets contaminated.

The rule we teach in the Power Squadron Boating Classes, 1/3 rule. 1/3 going, 1/3 returning, 1/3 tank reserve.

If you want to get accurate fuel volumes, install a Fuel Management System such as a Lowrance LMF-200 I sell it for $131. It is the display and a fuel flow sensor. It's one of those items you can add to your boat and it pays for itself quickly. Info from Lowrance is here

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

Point taken Jvalich, I dont let the fuel get low now anyway. Does the fuel management system
from Lowrance integrate with Raymarine(C80)? also does it need sender imput from the fuel tanks?
Thanks Robbi

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2008 V288 with twin 5 litre Seacores
http://www.galwayhouse.com.au

Hi All--One suggestion--get a Sharpie marker and mark the side of the tank in 4 equal increments. A quick check
in the engine compartment will tell you exactly where you are at as confirmation of the gauges. I rarely go through
a tank of fuel without at least doing some engine checks such as oil, power steering fluid, water etc.

Does something like this go inline on the fuel line or is it wired to the ECU?

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4