2001 Air randomly stopping

[Canuked]

Hey all was hoping for some advice (lurk lots but don't post much)

I have an 01 nautique with a GT-40, a few weeks ago we were cruising along and the motor just died, well it sputtered for about 5 seconds before stopping and could not get it started again. we drained the FCC thinking it may be bad gas but still nothing (ended up getting towed in).

The fuel pump runs before ignition (few seconds of buzzing) so I think its ok.

When i got home I drained all the fuel out and re-filled it with new stuff and it ran great again...problem solved?

We went out a few more times with no problems and then the other day it happened again. Just died, only this time we waited a few minutes and it started up again and ran fine the rest of the day.

I changed the fuel filter last night, but i'm not sure how much that is going to do. It kind of seems to me it may be fuel related (not getting fuel all of a sudden) possibly something electrical? The kill switch lanyard thing seems fine. but possibly a bad connection somewhere? any way to test that? (ps, i'm no mechanical genious)

The (high pressure?) fuel pump in the FCC has a bit of corrosion on about 1/3 of it (i took a picture that i'll post). Is their any test for the low pressure pump

The boat runs like a champ always except these 2 times, i'm going on a big trip in mid-july and don't want to be stranded on a huge lake.

its concerning me that its so random that if I take it in. i'm going to miss 1/2 of our very short summer and be left with a huge bill, with no guarantee of a fix

Sorry for the long post, Any ideas?

[swooddc]

RE: 2001 Air randomly stopping

my gt 40 started out doing something similar. got much worse before I figured out it was a clogged fuel pick-up in the tank. Check this first.

[Canuked]

interesting how do you get to the pickup?, do you have to drain the fuel or pull the tank?

Did you change it or just clean it?

[1999Sport]

You'll have to remove your rear seat, and pull the fuel tank forward. Inside there is a tube that runs from your fuel pickup down into your tank with a screen on it. If you want to test the pressure at your low pressure pump, pull the LPP line to the FCC and use a fitting to connect to a fuel pressure gauge. Should come in between 7-9psi.

[thedude]

My 03 San died a few times without warning under normal driving conditions. It turned out that my keypad was bad and I had to replace it. I'd eliminate all of the "cheaper" problems first, just something to keep in mind.

Matt

[SportNautique4Life]

Random stopping

My 96 Sport did the same thing last weekend. My service guy offered an explanation of vapor lock. It was very hot and humid and according to him that would create this problem and even more so if you use cheaper fuels. At the time I was down to less than a half tank of fuel. I was running a 93 octane from a no-name station. He said I should stick with 89 octane from BP/Amco when possible. The cheaper brands tend to run a higher alcohol content and are more likely to cause excess condensation and the potential for vapor lock. He also suggested parking it with a full tank to reduce the potential for condensation in the tank. This is for both short and long term lay up.

[Canuked]

SportNautique4Life

I can't say it has been particularily warm here, but it did happen on days that were warmer...if that means anything.

I was using fuel from Mohawk which has ethanol in it? I wonder if that caused a problem. the second time it was 7-11 gas (whatever that is).

Could it really be that sensitive to differnet gas? my truck sure isn't.


1999Sport,

How do you take off the rear seat pad? I couldn't seem to find the screws last night. I'm guessing in the storage locker by removing the carpeted piece (i assume it would be the same between our boats)


I don't really understand what connection you would remove to test the pressure. Does it go from high press pump to low press to engine? do i put the pressure gauge between the high and low?

Where would a guy find a fuel pressure gauge? can i leave it in the line so I have a constant indicator?

Sorry if these are dumb questions.

I'm heading out tonight for a few days, I'll have a pretty good idea of how often this problem is going to occur after the weekend. Although i hate getting towed in by a Malibu (my finacee says she'd rather paddle a nautque than drive a Bu.)

[1999Sport]

OK, since you do have the FCC, vapor lock isn't a possibility, as this completely elminates any chance of it (information pulled from Ski Dim's website).

I'm guessing your boat is a direct drive (this is what mine is), the rear seat backing isn't screwed in...it is held in with brackets that slide into the back of the cushion itself...if you pull up on it, should pop right off.

Then look down and you will see two pins behind the cushions for the lower part of the seat. Mine had rings on them that made them easier to pull out. Remove these and the seat will slide forward, at this point, you have to wiggle the lower part around to pull it up and out.

You now should be able to see the fuel tank and lines. Take a pic or label your lines so you know which goes where (although one is longer then the other and should only mate up to their respective sides, always good to make a note of them)

You are going to need to remove those rear carpet pads in the storage locker to remove two nuts that hold the gas tank supports in place...there will be a screw that goes through them. There are also two nuts in the bilge area that attach to the lower gas tank supports.

Remove the small brackets on the carpet area (2 screws each, look like wedges) so you can pull the tank forward.

Have a gas can, or container ready, as when it comes time to remove the lines....fuel is going to spill out.
My return fuel line had a red piece of tape around it and was on the left, pickup line on the right...if it's not the same for your boat, trace the lines to the fuel pump.

You will see what looks like a simple 90 degree brass valve on the pick up side of the fuel tank...I simply took a 2x4 and a rubber mallet and loosened this up (righty tight, lefty loosey)

On the outside of the FCC there should be 90 degree elbow with a line running to your LPP, this is the line that you would connect the fuel pressure gauge too (with an adapter which you can buy at Lowes, Home Depot Etc). If you want to leave it in the line, I believe (correct me if i'm wrong) you can run a T fitting and install a gauge there, although I don't think it's really worth it.

You can buy a fuel pressure gauge at a local auto parts store. Summit Racing probably has them to and they have great service and shipping.

The questions don't seem dumb to me at all...sometimes a little help from others will save you hours of headaches. Most of the time I wouldn't know where to start without this place.

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out so that way others can reference threads like this to help us all out.

[Canuked]

thanks for the detailed help, I appreciate the time you put into the response. I'm going to try and run it for this weekend and hopefully I can nail down the problem during next week.

I also still need to post the pics of the fuel pump cause it appears to have quite a bit of corrosion on it.

[Canuked]

another update, we nailed it down to a loose ground in the high pressure fuel pump( the one inside the FCC). it ran great all day and then my low pressure fuel pump stopped working. I'm replaceing it tonight so hopefully i'm out of the woods with fuel issues.

[Canuked]

Replaced the Low pressure pump last night and we are all systems go. I can't forsee any problems and hopefully we can go a whole weekend trouble free.