2008 XLV Vapor Lock

[JHutch]

2008 with the 340 motor. Last year after a really long run the boat vapor locked on me, at the time I didn't know what that was so I ended up getting towed in. Got the boat home and it fired right up. Fast forward to this year and it did it to me this weekend. It was really hot for here 96* but I let the boat idle before I shut it off and ran the blower for about 5 minute after shutting off. I dumped some water on the fuel pump and it fired up boat would like to try and resolve the issue.

My boat has 2 fuel pumps but they are both mounted on the engine and there is a ton of heat there. I wanted to see what others thoughts are on this but here are my ideas:

-run Stabil Marine every fill up?
-try to insulate fuel lines going to the first pump with something?
-remove the panels around the engine and replace with some cargo netting?
-Last option-relocate the low pressure fuel pump to the V-drive area to try and get it away from the heat?

I guess lastly I want to solve the issue because I am afraid one day pouring water over the fuel pumps will not work, or lead to bigger issues.

[trayson]

interested to hear what you find. I have a 2008 XLV and have never had any vapor lock issues. Hell, I don't even know where my fuel pumps are!

[patrick232]

1) change the fuel filter yearly, cheap insurance.
2) run the blower to remove heat from engine area more often
3) be like the go fast be loud boat and open the engine hatch at the dock.

[trayson]

3) be like the go fast be loud boat and open the engine hatch at the dock.

Oh No! I wouldn't want to be THAT guy! LMAO!!! Everyone will think I have a small weenie!

[zd215]

Occasionally mine wont restart, I assume its related to the ethanol vaporizing before the pump. I could probably use a fuel filter change too.
It takes 3 or 4 tries of 5-10 second cranks and finally starts. If I've been running it hard, I'll turn on the blower when I shut it down in an attempt to draw out some heat.

Like trayson said, I don't even know where the pumps are mounted!

[JHutch]

Mine starts but its like its dieseling and you cant rev it up or do anything. It has not power to move, I shut it off pretty quick to make sure I don't damage something.

Trayson- on the 2008 the fuel pumps are located on the motor closest to the driver seat. If you open the panel you will see a goldish pump and behind that is a silver one. Pour water on both of those if it happens and keep your fingers crossed!

[gregski]

Is there a high spot in the fuel line before the low pressure pump? Fix that.

Vapor lock occurs when the high pressure fuel pump can't pull fuel in. The fix is to add a second/low pressure pump to push fuel to the primary pump. Vapor lock is a "pull" problem, not a "push" problem. So the secondary pump should keep the primary pump fed with liquid fuel without being affected by heat, unless the vapor lock is happening on its input line. The low pressure pump should be mounted low, as close to the tank as possible and without any high spots in its supply line to avoid such trouble.

If you get a lock, you need to cool the fuel in the line between the tank and the low pressure pump. This could also be done by draping a cool, wet rag on the line. You don't need to soak everything with water and you shouldn't need to worry about anything after the low pressure pump.

I wouldn't insulate the lines. Insulation just slows the heat down. If you are sitting for a while, it will all get to the same engine compartment temperature eventually.

Sta-bil will not help, it is not designed to prevent vapor lock.

Did you put the low pressure pump in or was it the PO? It should have been mounted closer to the tank, not on the engine. It could still work there, but it's not ideal.

[JHutch]

The low pressure pump is factory mounted. I wonder if I should relocate it?
24401

[gregski]

Well, that's not where I'd want it mounted but that seems to be the way they did it ('08 only, did they go to an in tank pump in '09?). Have you changed your filter recently? Some extra restriction from that could be enough to put you over the edge, especially as you get to the bottom your fuel tank and sit in the cove on a hot afternoon. After that, I might check the low pressure pump, maybe it's starting to fail. But a little water or a cold rag is a pretty simple fix if it happens infrequently.

[sandm]

my 06 20ssv with the ext340 did this quite a bit during the 100deg days in august. 20 oz waterbottle on the pumps as indicated above and wait 5 minutes cured it every time once it happened, however running the blower every minute the engine is running kept it from happening the last 3 years I owned the boat.
I don't board, just surf and think that might be the reason it happened to me as there wasn't the higher speed to vent the engine compartment. my routine was to turn on the blowers as the boat is started and turn off when the boat was stopped for a period every time.

all my .02

[Poison]

They make a kit that supposedly fixes the problem, but I never shelled out the money for it. http://www.skidim.com/VAPOR-LOCK-PUMP-KIT/productinfo/49-5137/ I do contemplate buying this almost every year though...

My 07 does this in July/Aug down here in Louisiana (where the water temps can get into the mid 90s). I change the fuel filter every year and started putting in ethanol free 89 Octane gas. It is more expensive but I rarely (if ever) vapor lock anymore. Also, I leave the blower running when we shut off the boat to swim or open the engine hatch. I only used to lock on hot days after running the boat hard (lots of ballast/boarding). It also helps if you idle the boat for a minute after you're done running it. I can see the temp fall after a hard run with full bags if I just putt around for 1-2 mins. Hope this helps.

[JHutch]

Poison- mine basically has that system on it. The just factory mounted the low pressure pump right next to the other pump and it gets hot in there. I think I am going to try taking the divider panels out and see if that helps reduce the heat. If that doesn't do it I might by that kit and replace/relocate my low pressure pump to the V-Drive area.

[sandm]

j- try running your blower when the engine is running to see if that helps.

[MJHSupra]

I had this happen 1-2x about 3 years ago on my 2007 SSV - 325 motor:

1) changed fuel filter each year
2) ran non ethn gas
3) ran the blower when the motor is on

I read about the extra fuel pump, but it never happened again, so I never purchased one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[trayson]

1) change the fuel filter yearly, cheap insurance.
2) run the blower to remove heat from engine area more often
3) be like the go fast be loud boat and open the engine hatch at the dock.

Just had this happen to me on the water. Did 2 and 3 and poured water on pump.

Thanks for the knowledge!

[sivs1]

My solution for my LSV was to use zip ties to pull the oil lines away from the fuel pump. Basically a design flaw when it comes to the remote oil filter location.

[trayson]

Mine starts but its like its dieseling and you cant rev it up or do anything. It has not power to move, I shut it off pretty quick to make sure I don't damage something.

Trayson- on the 2008 the fuel pumps are located on the motor closest to the driver seat. If you open the panel you will see a goldish pump and behind that is a silver one. Pour water on both of those if it happens and keep your fingers crossed!


The low pressure pump is factory mounted. I wonder if I should relocate it?
24401

That's exactly what mine looks like. So what exactly do I have to do to change the fuel filter?? My first guess would be to take the 3 mounting screws off the gold one, and see if the canister unscrews or something from it and if there's some filter inside the canister?

But before I randomly start disassembling things, I'd love insight from someone that's done it on an 08 like pictured before.

[JHutch]

The fuel filter is simply an 1/2x1/2 inline that is mounted in the VDrive. That's the only filter i know of. Just had my boat do it again while on Vacation at Norris this week. Getting pretty frustrated with it. I'm either going to relocate my low pressure pump to the Vdrive area closer to the fuel tank or upgrade��

[trayson]

The fuel filter is simply an 1/2x1/2 inline that is mounted in the VDrive. That's the only filter i know of. Just had my boat do it again while on Vacation at Norris this week. Getting pretty frustrated with it. I'm either going to relocate my low pressure pump to the Vdrive area closer to the fuel tank or upgrade��

Really? I looked and couldn't find an inline filter in my v-drive compartment. I suppose it's possible that it's tucked up under the rear section of flooring (which would suck because when I put the hydroturf on it, that floor is jammed in there so snug I hope I never have to mess with it.

[JHutch]

Mine is mounted right on top by fuel fill hose. I can post a picture when I get home but it will be a couple of days. It's metal and held on by a cushion clamp

[trayson]

Mine is mounted right on top by fuel fill hose. I can post a picture when I get home but it will be a couple of days. It's metal and held on by a cushion clamp

Sure, that'd be awesome. I can wait. I won't be tearing into the boat for a bit looking for the filter. I'm out of town this weekend at a car event, so the boat won't see water until next week. Plus, it's running okay now that I replaced the cap/rotor, so I'm not desperate for fixes. :-)

[trayson]

Mine is mounted right on top by fuel fill hose. I can post a picture when I get home but it will be a couple of days. It's metal and held on by a cushion clamp

Well, based on this picture, I'm pretty sure it's NOT under my floor panel.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iaDErTt2-3E/VPfOnUFa4HI/AAAAAAAAYKQ/1mfHuQrF1TMEQhRFNbHbnv4ksIVbYWTDACCo/s800/20150304_182045.jpg

[jmvotto]

It's in the v drive area on the starboard wall

[JHutch]

Trayson,

Sorry got slammed with work and haven't uncovered the boat. As JM said its in the VDrive area on the Starboard Wall. Probably right beside your ballast pump under the fuel fill line.

[trayson]

It's in the v drive area on the starboard wall


Trayson,

Sorry got slammed with work and haven't uncovered the boat. As JM said its in the VDrive area on the Starboard Wall. Probably right beside your ballast pump under the fuel fill line.

I found it tonight. It wasn't in the V-drive area. it was actually on the line directly below the fuel pump, down in the bilge section below the front part of the engine, maybe only 6 to 8" off the fuel pump inlet. Easy enough to remove once I finally found it, but seeing that part under the engine was tough. I accessed it from the starboard big locker with the engine divider panels folded down. It has a carquest number on it, so I'll be able to buy a replacement pretty easy tomorrow during my lunch break at work.