Fuel Starvation Issues - Austin Boat Forums

Jay Gadsby

Lake Captain

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Posts: 613
Killeen TX
Gender: male

Fuel Starvation Issues
Jun 24^th, 2012 at 4:51pm

Ok, so yesterday I was out and had to get a tow back to the ramp because she would not start and idle. I pulled off the fuel filter (cannister) and there was only half left in it, and it was obviously sucking air from somewhere. I have 3/4 tank on one side, and full on the other. So I know it is not out of gas, but it acts the same with both tanks. I do have an IMCO super fuel valve 3 port between the tanks and the inline filter. I have not had a chance to get to the pump yet and see what is going on. Anyone have any ideas? I am gonna try a gravity feed to the cannister filter and see if gets sucked up and starts or not. I was not a happy camper on my first trip out this summer.

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2000 Nordic Heat- 500 EFI with all the fixin's

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nathan Lake Admiral Offline Going Home !!!!! Posts: 2120 Leander, TX Soon Gender:	Re: Fuel Starvation Issues Reply #1 - Jun 24^th, 2012 at 8:59pm electric or mechanical fuel pump? valve may by stuck and not changing?
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SEA TOW Veteran Austin Boater Offline Free Towing For Members!!! Posts: 270 Central Texas Gender:	Re: Fuel Starvation Issues Reply #2 - Jun 25^th, 2012 at 9:15am Who towed you in? Might want to take advantage of the offer to forum members who join Sea Tow. This has been one of our most consistent calls we are getting. Every time it seems to be something different, so keep me posted on your findings.
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livesound Veteran Austin Boater Offline Austin Boater Posts: 366 austin tx Gender:	Re: Fuel Starvation Issues Reply #3 - Jun 25^th, 2012 at 11:01pm damn jay sorry to hear that on your first trip out. i think you deserved at least one before an issue!!
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Jay Gadsby

Lake Captain

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Naturally Obsessed

Posts: 613
Killeen TX
Gender: male

Re: Fuel Starvation Issues
Reply #4 - Jun 26^th, 2012 at 10:47am

It seems there is a major issue with the earlier 500 EFIs and vapor lock. They only have one fuel pump in the system, and it is in a bad spot. The later years had a second mechanical pump in the system to fix the problem. I am working to correct the problem now with possibly another fuel pump and a fuel cooler. I dont like being embarrassed like that being as I am a mechanic and all lol.

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2000 Nordic Heat- 500 EFI with all the fixin's

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Jay Gadsby

Lake Captain

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Naturally Obsessed

Posts: 613
Killeen TX
Gender: male

Re: Fuel Starvation Issues
Reply #5 - Jun 26^th, 2012 at 3:00pm

And we have a winner! Vapor lock was the issue. I am going to put a second pump in the system and it will solve that issue. So, for anyone with a 502 without the mechanical pump, ensure you idle it down when you park after running, run the blower prior to starting and try to keep the engine bay open for a little while as well to keep the air flowing. I will be installing vents as well to aid in keeping the ole HO moving along

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2000 Nordic Heat- 500 EFI with all the fixin's

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Griswald Austin Boater Offline Posts: 139 Jonestown	Re: Fuel Starvation Issues Reply #6 - Jun 26^th, 2012 at 3:13pm Glad Fountains don't have that problem.
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mobileMERCman Veteran Austin Boater Offline Old Salty Dog Posts: 262 Jonestown Gender:	Re: Fuel Starvation Issues Reply #7 - Jun 26^th, 2012 at 3:56pm I was just checking and found all the 500 EFI's and at least the early 525's all have the same fuel cooler. You can buy the merc sea pump with the fuel pump drive and the fuel pump for about $500 retail and it appears it uses the same $400 bracket with both sea pumps.
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Griswald Austin Boater Offline Posts: 139 Jonestown	Re: Fuel Starvation Issues Reply #8 - Jun 26^th, 2012 at 4:37pm lift pump would be the ticket and much, much cheaper. $900 bones? Damn!
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Jay Gadsby Lake Captain Offline Naturally Obsessed Posts: 613 Killeen TX Gender:	Re: Fuel Starvation Issues Reply #9 - Jun 26^th, 2012 at 5:53pm Griswald wrote on Jun 26^th, 2012 at 3:13pm: Glad Fountains don't have that problem. Funny you should say that, the first guy that popped up on OSO with that problem when searching was a Fountain It is not brand specific boat wise, only Mercury/Mercruiser wise.
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mobileMERCman Veteran Austin Boater Offline Old Salty Dog Posts: 262 Jonestown Gender:	Re: Fuel Starvation Issues Reply #10 - Jun 26^th, 2012 at 5:58pm Griswald wrote on Jun 26^th, 2012 at 4:37pm: lift pump would be the ticket and much, much cheaper. $900 bones? Damn! Both sea pumps use the same bracket. The point was he does not need to buy it.
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Jay Gadsby Lake Captain Offline Naturally Obsessed Posts: 613 Killeen TX Gender:	Re: Fuel Starvation Issues Reply #11 - Jun 26^th, 2012 at 5:59pm Yeah I noticed it was the same. Figures I would have that short span of model years with the issues, such is the price of horsepower lol.
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mobileMERCman Veteran Austin Boater Offline Old Salty Dog Posts: 262 Jonestown Gender:	Re: Fuel Starvation Issues Reply #12 - Jun 26^th, 2012 at 6:13pm Adding a heat shield between the exhaust and the separator filter will help as well. Do you have Gils or Headers?
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Jay Gadsby Lake Captain Offline Naturally Obsessed Posts: 613 Killeen TX Gender:	Re: Fuel Starvation Issues Reply #13 - Jun 26^th, 2012 at 7:20pm I have headers. That is a good idea with the heatshield.
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Griswald

Austin Boater

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Posts: 139
Jonestown

Re: Fuel Starvation Issues
Reply #14 - Jun 26^th, 2012 at 8:21pm

Just bustin' balls, Jay. I've towed quite a few boats with vapor lock issues this year only to have them get to the dock and fire it right up after things have cooled down a bit. Fortunately, I haven't had that problem.

I'm looking forward to late September, early October so I can spend spend some time on mine. I love to stretch her legs in a 20mph north wind. I've only put about 5hrs on her this year and am a bit itchy.

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