Engine just died

headed back to dock at about 15mph and the engine just dies on me. Boat starts then dies, we're dead in the water. Get the attention of a boat that was anchored and yelled out to him need some help engine is dead. Real windy day and we're drifting off. Boat that I reached out for help is anchored and doesn't move for about 25 mins, i'm like WTF. We wave at an Axis that is surfing. Guy comes by and we ask him if he can tow us around the corner to Meadowmere ramp (Lake Grapevine) He seems a little hesitant and says he doesn't have a tow rope. Tell him we have one so he starts to give us a tow. He's about to tow us when the first boat comes up to us and says he called 911!! i'm look dude we just needed a tow not 911. About a quarter mile away I see the fire department boat coming. Axis that is towing us asks the fire department boat if he can finish towing us in!!

This is the first time i've had to be towed in the 11 years we've had our boat. (always wonder when i go out if this is the day we'll be dead in the water) Over the years I've towed probably 20 boats and 10 jet skis to a dock.

Back to the engine dying...a couple years ago the high pressure fuel pump and distributer cap was replaced. When I had issue with that the engine went into limp mode and I was able to make it back to the dock. I'm thinking its not either one of those thats the issue. Anything else anybody can think of that would cause the engine to die

Fuel pump too weak, or filter clogged might do that too. Will it stay running at idle? On the tow issue...I can't believe a fellow surf boat wouldn't help you out. I am like you and have helped out many people in trouble on the water. Even back in the day when I only had a Jetski, yes a brand spanking new 1993 Kawasaki 750xi, I towed some big boats back to the ramp. What comes around goes around.

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First off, helping is what you do. I cannot believe you had that type of experience. I have been towed in twice (same old I/O). Fist time carb sucked in something from old gas in the tank. Offered money and beer, guy drank a beer and said pay it forward, which I have done. Second time DNR came lights a blazing and then realized we were not trying to dock in the woods and that we were vapor locked. Towed us back while I messed with things, boat fired once back at the dock and we drove up on the trailer. Karma will catch up.


Second, only thing that kills an engine is no fuel or no spark. It could be the obvious fuel pump, distributor, or the electric that powers those things. Sudden death is 9/10 fuel related. Spark just runs rough before giving up.

Yep. Very true on those two issues. Except I will say a rod going through the side of the block will kill one pretty quickly too, but that's a whole different kind of death! I know this from an old Chrysler outboard! LOL!

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Hope something simple! Karma will come around to those other boats!


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Dropped it off at Slalom Shop in Lewisville and they said they'll get to it in a couple weeks! They're pretty backed up. I've look all around for that dang fuel filter on that engine, where in the heck is it??

Not sure about your engine, but the raptor motors hide it behind the exhaust catalyst on the starboard side. You can pull the v-drive cover and follow the fuel lines to the engine.

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Originally Posted by HFarr

Yep. Very true on those two issues. Except I will say a rod going through the side of the block will kill one pretty quickly too, but that's a whole different kind of death! I know this from an old Chrysler outboard! LOL!

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That is a death of an engine I don't wish on anyone. However, you are correct. But not sure his boat is that dead.....lmao

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Originally Posted by Clamcakes

Dropped it off at Slalom Shop in Lewisville and they said they'll get to it in a couple weeks! They're pretty backed up. I've look all around for that dang fuel filter on that engine, where in the heck is it??

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the fuel filter is under the white plastic v-drive cover. You can see the fuel lines going into the back of the fuel tank and the fuel filter is right there in the fuel line. On the starboard side. It's very easy to get to.

I'm still struggling to figure out why the guy called 911 without even bothering to come over and try to help?

Must still be wearing his mask and cant get within 6 feet :-D

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Originally Posted by 996scott

the fuel filter is under the white plastic v-drive cover. You can see the fuel lines going into the back of the fuel tank and the fuel filter is right there in the fuel line. On the starboard side. It's very easy to get to.

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Man maybe you can get that lucky and that's all it is!

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Originally Posted by SONIC

I'm still struggling to figure out why the guy called 911 without even bothering to come over and try to help?

Must still be wearing his mask and cant get within 6 feet :-D

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Yeah, that's pretty extreme. Maybe he thought it was a trick and you were a pirate![emoji3517]

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Originally Posted by SONIC

I'm still struggling to figure out why the guy called 911 without even bothering to come over and try to help?

Must still be wearing his mask and cant get within 6 feet :-D

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That’s the nature of society these days. People will report the dumbest sh!t without determining the context.

The amount of emergencies I responded to that we neither emergencies, nor would I give any concern to was frustrating as a first responder.


Making my new SA build come true!!!

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Originally Posted by Holdmybeer

That is a death of an engine I don't wish on anyone. However, you are correct. But not sure his boat is that dead.....lmao

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It makes quite a bit of noise before it shuts completely off. Threw a rod through the block in our old 84 Nautique.

Going to throw my 2 cents on “helping” boaters.

I will preface my take by saying I have helped MANY over the years, towing,fixing, backing in newb trailers, throwing a spare drain plug to a sinking boat etc over the years.

If someone is in distress, you help.

However, I can’t tell you how frustrating it is to take time from my lake day to help when the boat in question is in poor operating condition, lacks simple tools, lacks an anchor or tow rope etc. It comes across as there lack of preparation ends up being someone else’s burden.

You know the guy who launches his boat, then while tied to the launch dock, has engine cover open working to get boat to run……I automatically call odds 50-50 he will need a tow. If your boat is questionable, don’t launch it.

Shit happens and I will still help, but I recall in my jet ski days, the same boat that was cursing my jet ski, sure didn’t mind me towing there hoopty boat when stranded.

Lastly, the lack of marine cops on the water sucks. Lakes are almost a free for all anymore and marine cops are helpful to tow you back. Amazes me how many boats go the wrong direction and don’t know how to deal with a boat towing a rider etc.


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The way to test your boat, for multiple issues.

Get a fuel pressure gauge, on the fuel rail you should have 60+ psi
If you don't its the pump or filter generally.

Start up sequence on the engine.

Turn key, engine will look for the crank position sensor, then will look for fuel rail pressure, cranks engine, starts and looks for oil pressure.
I am not positive of how much fuel pressure it needs on the rail but after you start it if you have an issue the rail pressure drops and ecm shuts you off.

This is assuming you crank and start, then die.
Not crank and never start.

Some people don't like to tow because they become legally liable for any damages that occur to your boat while they are towing it. In this sue happy world we live in I can understand why some people would rather just call the pros than take the chance of getting drug into a lawsuit. That being said I still take the chance that people are generally good and tow when someone needs it. I had to be towed a good distance back in 2018 when the starter on our boat died in just about the worst possible place. Thank goodness for fellow forum members!

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Originally Posted by rdlangston13

Some people don't like to tow because they become legally liable for any damages that occur to your boat while they are towing it. In this sue happy world we live in I can understand why some people would rather just call the pros than take the chance of getting drug into a lawsuit. That being said I still take the chance that people are generally good and tow when someone needs it. I had to be towed a good distance back in 2018 when the starter on our boat died in just about the worst possible place. Thank goodness for fellow forum members!

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Excellent point, man I would be pissed if……..

1) I got sued helping
2) damaging my boat pulling another

I haven’t had the opportunity to tow with my Supras, was super easy with a jet ski or my old pontoons.

Things that make you give pause.


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we have towed our fair share over the years(funniest was a lady showing my sis her fake boobs and pounding beers while towing back) BUT I will also say that we have passed up boats on 2 occasions. both were miles from the docks and would have taken up almost 2 hours to tow back and return and frankly, it wasn't on the agenda for the day. hate to fall into stereotypes but both we passed on would fall in larry's description of boats that are not prepared for the water based on looking at them and the $hitshow that were aboard both.

some will lambaste me for passing up BUT they both caught tows within the next hour from the lake popo so didn't lose too much sleep over it.

I'm 100% with larry in that when you see someone working on a trainwreck of a boat at the launch, they get it started and all load in for the day, there's a tow brewing.

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Originally Posted by Clamcakes

Dropped it off at Slalom Shop in Lewisville and they said they'll get to it in a couple weeks! They're pretty backed up. I've look all around for that dang fuel filter on that engine, where in the heck is it??

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My 2007 Supra had the inline filter mounted on the starboard side. Towards the front of the motor. One screw held the mounting bracket in place.

Update....BOAT...Bust Out Another Thou...Fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator and fuel filter. All good now. Shout out to Slalomshop for getting it knocked out so quick. They initially said they probably wouldn't get to it for a few weeks but got it knocked out in a week.

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Originally Posted by Clamcakes

Update....BOAT...Bust Out Another Thou...Fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator and fuel filter. All good now. Shout out to Slalomshop for getting it knocked out so quick. They initially said they probably wouldn't get to it for a few weeks but got it knocked out in a week.

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Sounds like that would do it!

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Freaking fuel pump. I knew it! I dealt with the same thing last year, except I was offered a tow before I could even ask, which was nice and made it much less embarrassing.

It should be good for another decade. I replaced mine after 12 years and kept the old one as a spare. The boat was carburetored so it was easy access plus we were often in areas where nobody was around for a tow in Washington state.