Finally giving up....

joet · **Posted:** Fri Jun 07, 2013 11:51 am

ric wrote:

Paint in a fuel system is straight up planned obsolescence. Its designed to fail.

There are aerospace paints that are designed for fuel tank use that work just fine on aluminum.

gulls@play · **Posted:** Fri Jun 07, 2013 1:14 pm

Well just for the record.... We have never used anything but ethanol-free gas.

ric · **Posted:** Fri Jun 07, 2013 1:37 pm

Yes but Volvo doesn't use aerospace paint. They use paint that falls off. There's no reason to paint aluminum in gasoline.

joet · **Posted:** Fri Jun 07, 2013 2:05 pm

ric wrote:

Yes but Volvo doesn't use aerospace paint. They use paint that falls off. There's no reason to paint aluminum in gasoline.

Yes but you said that paint in a fuel system is designed to fail, when clearly that is not the case when the proper paint is used.

LouC · **Posted:** Fri Jun 07, 2013 5:16 pm

Why is it necessary to paint the inside of a fuel pump? I have changed a few fuel pumps and rebuilt several carbs and never saw any of them painted on the inside. I have a 25 year old aluminum tank in my boat thats not painted inside and it looks like new inside. If they are coating the inside of a fuel pump with paint, that tells me that the metal used might not be corrosion resistant enough, and they have to quit being cheapskates and specify a higher grade material to their supplier.

I don't get it, FI is supposed to be the new and much better thing, I feel sorry for people with newer sterndrives with both FI and cat converters. Wait till you get the bill for one of those if it fails.

I have NEVER had trouble with FI in any of my vehicles other than replacing a fuel pump in a Toyota Camry that was 11 years old and had 115000 miles on it at the time. We have a 98 Jeep with 146000 miles and a 98 Subaru with 150000 miles and both have the original pump. So what is Volvo's problem then? Its not like they just invented this.

ric · **Posted:** Fri Jun 07, 2013 6:28 pm

Like I said, they painted the inside for one reason, and one reason only. So it fails. Same with modern electronics. They put a foam insulator between the chip and the heatsink so after a few years the chip burns out and you have to buy a new laptop (tv, whatever).

jgreve75 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 07, 2013 6:40 pm

I feel bad that it has gotten to the point that the OP has given up and decided that selling is the best solution... I totally understand, but it's sad that the odds are stacked against you when it comes to actually enjoying boating without having to repeatedly make repairs that cost you an arm and a leg when piss poor design is to blame. :oops:

Part of me can't help but wonder if those fuel modules couldn't be stripped or media blasted before installation to remove the offending paint...

ric · **Posted:** Fri Jun 07, 2013 7:12 pm

It's just TBI. Install inline fuel pumps and regulators. Done.

LouC · **Posted:** Sun Jun 09, 2013 10:14 am

Newer engines even with carbs came with electric pumps because GM eliminated the fuel pump boss on the block, I bet that you can find an aftermarket pump that might work with Volvo's system. If not still get the aftermarket pump and see about converting to carbs. Its money esp if you have to swap intake manifolds but at least you will have a boat that runs. And can be fixed. As it is you can't even sell it. Who will buy it for anywhere near what it should be worth with a problem like that.

I'd speak to a couple of REAL marine mechanics not only Volvo dealers because all they will do is keep replacing the stupid $700 fuel pumps and until they change the design you will have the same problem.

ric · **Posted:** Sun Jun 09, 2013 2:22 pm

Adding a fuel pump and regulator is simple. Use the same power harness, build a little bracket from aluminum stock you pick up at home depot. Done. Just get any brand name inline pump off any hot rod website and pressure regulator.

kneel · **Posted:** Mon Jun 10, 2013 7:15 pm

Perhaps different in Canada verses USA, but I emailed VP regarding a trim pump I had to replace... I got a VERY sympathetic response, wanting more details etc, and in the end, VP Canada paid for everything .. I was overjoyed.. as the trim pump iirc was close to $1K...
YMMV
I would write... keep the letter professional, don't whine.. simply explain the situation, with a few , but not full details, stating you're unhappy and you thought VP's quality was better, asking for some relief of the bills you've paid.
Good Luck!!

Knot Guilty · **Posted:** Wed Jun 19, 2013 7:09 am

I hear you brother. Just replaced the port side fuel pump on my 2009 V288.
The unit was over $800 and labor was $400. So, $1,200 total for a friggen fuel pump!

LouC · **Posted:** Wed Jun 19, 2013 7:12 pm

Pure modern day nonsense, I'll keep my mechanical fuel pump and Rochester Quadrajet.

298VISTA2000 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 19, 2013 7:43 pm

I guess this is why my tech advised me to put a quart of 2 stroke motor oil in each gas tank when filling up and now I know why (1 oz per 5 gallons of gas). This guy (not my tech) has been using it in his cars since 2008 with great success.

http://www.ls1.com/forums/f48/been-testing-91206/

hutch9900 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 7:14 pm **Posts:** 456

That was an interesting read! Are you going to try it? I would worry about exhaust smell and smoke, but they claim that doesnt happen....

www.iFourWinns.com

Finally giving up....

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