Strange LXV starting problem.

[sandm]

vapor lock sounds like. problem with skiers choice and several other boats are that the fuel pump is in the engine compartment and gets too hot. ethanol lowers the boiling point of gas to something like 150deg. doesn't take much to do it..
adding a second fuel pump inline back toward the tank is one fix that seems to have worked in many other boats. we have just resorted to running the blower and not had any issues since...

[ajsboat]

Fuel pumps can do a lot of funny things. Yes it could work the next morning because its cooled off also and would work normally. When it gets hot from using it then you shut the boat off. The pump is cooled by the fuel flowing threw it, so when you shut it off it gets hotter.

Some fuel pumps ive read about on this forum run great then do what yours does, then run great for a few hours again. Fuel pumps are tricky to diagnose but between the pump and fuel filter, one of these is generaly causing ost of the problems in the fuel system.

You can start by just replacing the fuel filter, even if its not the main issue your going to have to replace it with a new pump anyhow.

Thanks again for the good info.

The fuel filter I'm sure is easy to replace. How difficult is it to replace the pump. How much should each cost?

Thanks again.

[ajsboat]

vapor lock sounds like. problem with skiers choice and several other boats are that the fuel pump is in the engine compartment and gets too hot. ethanol lowers the boiling point of gas to something like 150deg. doesn't take much to do it..
adding a second fuel pump inline back toward the tank is one fix that seems to have worked in many other boats. we have just resorted to running the blower and not had any issues since...

Does it happen on EFI motors?

[mmandley]

Filter maybe 15 to 20 bucks id expect at your local parts store.

Pump no telling, i dont think they are like car sending units that range from 100 to 200. Have to get some of the other senior guys here that have done these replacements to help ya on that one.

[ajsboat]

thanks again.

[cab13367]

Definitely sounds like vapor lock. Was it a hot day? This has happened to my brother on his fuel injected Tige 24V and I have read about it happening to others many times. Run your blower all the time when it's hot, and open the hatch for a bit if you are going to park for a while.

I hear there is a quick fix while on the water that involves placing a wet towel over the fuel pump to help cool it off and liquefy the fuel again.

Al

[ajsboat]

Thanks

I'm hoping it was vapor lock, because that would mean my fuel pump is working normal for these boats.

It was a very warm day ~90, but I have had this boat for 3 years now and put about 80 hours on it and driven it during many 100 degree days and it has never done this before.

[ToddXLV]

Yeah, I got slight vapor lock today as our temps were around 90. Pretty warm for this early up here in Seattle. I went to start the boat and it sputtered a little bit then I hit the blower and it seemed to run fine after about 2 minutes of running the blower. It feels like it's starving for fuel.

I'm going out again tomorrow and it actually suppose to be a bit warmer so we'll see if that happens again.

[ToddXLV]

you've described pretty much exactly what I had experienced- my rig is an 06 outback and it's got a carb - I ruled out the vapor-lock due to the temps - the pump would work fine then quit- if you open the engine compartment and run the throttle a few times you should smell gas (in my case I can see it with the carb) if you don't its likely your pump- that other post on the fuel filter was good advice. - I put on the indmar replacement (purchased through an autoparts store) and so far so good - its running smoother, quicker starts and overall the piece of mind is priceless... cost about 150 bucks at an autoparts store- the install is also a piece of cake - if you want I'll pass along the part number which should help you immensely just let me know. Interestingly - the local dealer in this neck of the woods runs a ski school and otherwise really uses thier moombas - this season - 2 of thier boats have had similar problems...

Yep, I had a Quadrajet 4 barrel carb on a chevy 350 in my old Seaswirl Spyder that would do that all of the time. I love fuel injection.

[ajsboat]

My is EFI not a carb. Maybe that makes a difference maybe not.

It seem like its the fuel pump, whether its going bad or just vapor lock, I don't know.

One more piece of information that might help is, when it would run barely, the RPM's would jump up and down on it on without me touching the throttle.