www.iFourWinns.com

I lost one high pressure pump back in 2009 and then the other high pressure pump in 2010 following our club's short-lived experiment with E-10 back in 2008. Many of our members had etanol related issues and that is why E-10 was banned at the pump (and why I am so critical of it). Ethanol is notorious for ruining fuel pumps but I bet you just got a bad pump to begin with because both the high and low pressure went at the same time and way too early. Also, like LouC stated, Volvo Penta has had many issues with them and iboats.com even has a dedicated sub-forum just for VP fuel pumps (http://forums.iboats.com/Volvo-Penta/Fuel-Pump). I would say to stay away from E-10 if you can but I don't think it would have mattered in your current pumps case. It was doomed to failure the day it was made.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

Replaced Fuel pump. No loud whine and engine sounded normal. Checked the psi at the fuel rail and it was 75-80 psi running. 50 psi and holding when we shut down the engine. I am assuming this is too high? Could I now possible need a fuel regulator or need to clean the injectors?
thanks
Matt

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2005 Horizon 200 LE - Volvo Penta 5.0GXi 270

The new fuel pump assembly I just replaced four weeks ago seems to be failing. Is there any other culprits besides ethanol? Our marina does use it but would it kill a fuel pump that quickly?

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2004 Vista 298
Twin 5.7L Volvo Penta GXi-E

No ethanol would not ruin it that quickly , all parts today are built to withstand ethanol effects. Myself I use startron in every tank to offset any effects , stuff works great and keeps the boat runnin great .

I can't avoid e10 and always am paranoid about marinas having water in tanks......I add stabil ethanol (blue) with every tank...and to all my small engine and tractor full except the deisels. Other than one weedeater I haven't had any issues. Come winter they all get stabil pink for long storage period.

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http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

That was a total pain in the A$$!! Boat is fixed.
Used the boat this weekend and it ran great. I am using K100 Fuel Treatment. The mechanic who fixed the boat suggested I start using it. He has been using it in his boats and has not had any issues.

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2005 Horizon 200 LE - Volvo Penta 5.0GXi 270

So the final result was what? A bad fuel pump due to ethanol?

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

There was a lot of paint that came loose/missing from the old pump. It appears the fuel ate through the paint on the pump. Mechanic found what appeared to be the black paint on the fuel regulator screen, and also on the injectors. He said after he cleaned them out it drop the fuel pressure down to where it should be. So it appears it was the ethanol that ate the paint which caused the paint to possibly foul up the pump & fuel system which made the pump fail due to running to high. Pretty similar to what I have read from other posts around the web. I guess if the pump was not painted it's possible the fuel may have not damaged the pump. Maybe something similar to the chicken & egg theory!!!

I should buy a fuel pressure tester, so I can check periodically. Any suggestions?
thanks
Matt

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2005 Horizon 200 LE - Volvo Penta 5.0GXi 270

Interesting, thanks for the feedback on what the mechanic found. I know that Ethanol dissolves crud and varnish in gas tanks but I had not heard that it dissolves paint. One would wonder why the inside of a fuel pump assembly has to be painted in the first place. Paint is basically to keep metal from corroding, perhaps the corrosive nature of ethanol got through pin holes in the paint surface and caused it to flake off. I did have some issues when the E-10 gas first came on the scene, like a corroded anti siphon valve but the boat was 14 years old then so in fairness I can't say it was for sure because of E-10. And I have had to get my Quadrajet rebuilt 2x, once in 2004 and again in 2010. Again not sure if that's ethanol related. I do look at the gas that comes out of my fuel filter at the end of each season and I have not found water in it yet, but the first year of E-10 there was a reddish gunk in the bottom I had never seen before.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I switched over to the starboard fuel tank with no overheating or squealing from the pump, that leads me to believe there is a fuel tank restriction or blocked vent.

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2004 Vista 298
Twin 5.7L Volvo Penta GXi-E