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2.5L 280 Fuel issue

Brooks D'Antonio

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Hey guys, I had a random fuel issue with my 280 over LDW. The boat fires up no problem and gets on plane but every now and then the motor would shut down. As soon as I can feel it about to happen I would chop back on the throttle and it would continue. Each time the boat shut off it would always start back up and sounded healthy.

My first thought was maybe there had been air in the lines. I did my best to take off the return line, turn on the fuel pump and key to try and purge the air out. Everything seemed ok, but continued to have the same issue.

Before summer I had my injectors cleaned and flow tested so I’m not sure that is the problem.

I went through each fuel line and nothing seemed cracked and did a sanity check to make sure each hose clamp was tight. Does anyone have any idea on what could be causing this? Fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator, fuel filter?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

BD


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hallett21

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Fuel pump starting to die? Change out fuel filters?


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Brooks D'Antonio

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Fuel pump starting to die? Change out fuel filters?


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Could be a possibility, was thinking that over the weekend. It seemed strong when I pulled the line off the return and tried to purge any possible are out. I haven’t changed the fuel filters out yet, but was planning on that for peace of mind.


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hallett21

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The throttle chop would allow you to recover? Or it would still die?


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Brooks D'Antonio

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It would allow me to recover briefly at times but shortly continued to be inconsistent.


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Riverbottom

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I would also inspect the coast guard anti siphon check valves in the fuel pickups on your tanks. I have had these go bad or stick on more than one boat, and starve the engine for fuel.
 

Brooks D'Antonio

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I would also inspect the coast guard anti siphon check valves in the fuel pickups on your tanks. I have had these go bad or stick on more than one boat, and starve the engine for fuel.

I’ll check those, thanks for the info [emoji1303]


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BajaMike

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I didn’t see what engine you have. Fuel or Fire? If the fuel system seems ok, how about the computer? Can’t you have that scanned?
 

STV_Keith

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As mentioned, check the tank/pickups, change the fuel filter. There isn't going to be air in the lines in a return style system. Does the return plumb back to the tank or to the fuel filter/separator? I have seen the filter housings crack and allow air in/fuel pressure out.
 

Brooks D'Antonio

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I didn’t see what engine you have. Fuel or Fire? If the fuel system seems ok, how about the computer? Can’t you have that scanned?

It’s a 99 Merc 2.5L 280. Fires up just fine each time, just getting inconsistent fuel to the motor it seems. Almost like air in the lines.


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Brooks D'Antonio

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As mentioned, check the tank/pickups, change the fuel filter. There isn't going to be air in the lines in a return style system. Does the return plumb back to the tank or to the fuel filter/separator? I have seen the filter housings crack and allow air in/fuel pressure out.

Gotcha, thanks for the response. It is a return style system like you mentioned. The return plumbs back to the fuel filter/separator. I was going to take the filter off last weekend but didn’t have the right tools where I was at.


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gqchris

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BOAT2.jpg


Do you have a Fuel Pressure gauge in the dash Brooks? I have one and it remains at 55 all the time. If I ever see it deviate I know I got a pressure problem.

Here's a pic of the pump on my 300 in case it helps any. Is yours the same style?
 

GETBOATS

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ELIMINATE THE BOATS FUEL SYSTEM, RUN IT ON A PORTABLE FUEL SUPPLY, THEN YOU'LL KNOW IF YOU HAVE A MOTOR ISSUE OR BOAT.

Once that has been established, a vacuum gauge can help if its the boat, a pressure gauge if its a motor pump issue

all the above are good ideas, but guesses. let the evidence be your guide
 

Brooks D'Antonio

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View attachment 794830

Do you have a Fuel Pressure gauge in the dash Brooks? I have one and it remains at 55 all the time. If I ever see it deviate I know I got a pressure problem.

Here's a pic of the pump on my 300 in case it helps any. Is yours the same style?

I don’t have a fuel pressure gauge in the dash, but would be helpful. I was going to install an adjustable fuel pressure regulator so I can see exactly what I’m getting. Thanks for the pic/response.


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stoker2001

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maybey a temp fuel press test gauge in between rail and pump so you can moniter it while running.280s have the 39PSI gold regulater.If it dies with good pressure then I would be looking at ECM box
 

gqchris

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Brooks you ever figure out what was the problem?

Chris
 

Luv2gofast

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Be careful about running that motor out of gas. I toasted a piston trying to nurse mine back to the ramp with an empty tank. I would for sure get a temporary gauge on it that you can see while driving to find out if it's got a pressure problem.
 

Brooks D'Antonio

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Brooks you ever figure out what was the problem?

Chris
To be honest the past few weeks I have not had the time to dig into it. Later in the week I plan to tear into it and squeeze some more river trips before the cold weather comes in. I'll keep you guys posted with what I find. Pretty confident with all the comments I'll be able to figure it out.

BD
 

Brooks D'Antonio

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Be careful about running that motor out of gas. I toasted a piston trying to nurse mine back to the ramp with an empty tank. I would for sure get a temporary gauge on it that you can see while driving to find out if it's got a pressure problem.
I'm always super cautions of that happening. I've had that happen to a few buddies. I had two full tanks when this happened to me.
 

H20beater

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I talked to Joe at DBR explained what was going on he told me right away ecu was bad so I replaced it and ran great again!
 

Brooks D'Antonio

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I talked to Joe at DBR explained what was going on he told me right away ecu was bad so I replaced it and ran great again!

Right on! Thanks for the info dude! I was planning on calling Joe tomorrow.


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