Out of gas tank half full?

[mark p]

Hi- New to the forum. I have a 18' 1979 Sea Ray with 170hp. 4.3L 470 Mercruiser. Saturday while on the lake I ran out of gas, after getting a tow to the gas dock I filled the tank full which took 13 gallons and my boat has a 30 gallon tank. Once the boat was full it started and I was able to motor back to the ramp, which was approximatly 1hr. away with out any problems.

1. I checked the gas tank vent pipe there are no obstructions.

2. I checked the the fuel pick up tube it is like new and in proper working order.

I cant figure out why it would run out of gas with approx. 17 gallons still in the tank. When I checked the fuel filter at the gas dock it was empty, once the tank was full and after some time cranking the motor it filled and the boat started so I don't think it is the fuel pump.

Could it be my water seperator filter malfunctioning?

 

[bhammer]

Re: Out of gas tank half full?

Hi, welcome to iBoats. First, this "with 170hp. 4.3L 470 Mercruiser" isn't correct. You can't have a 470 and a 4.3L. Is it a 4 banger or 6 banger. Based on the HP, I'd guess you have a 470. Give it a few minutes and you'll have 470 naysayers here.

On the fuel issue, the only thing that comes to mind is that the fuel pickup has come disconnected inside your tank. Pull the pickup out and see if it looks long enough to reach te bottom of the tank. I couldn't quite tell by your post if it is indeed long enough. Also, Some pickups have a line that reaches to the back of the tank.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Out of gas tank half full?

What did the mechanical guage on the tank say??

 

[mark p]

Re: Out of gas tank half full?

I checked the pick up line and it is in good condition there are no holes in it and it reaches the bottom of the tank.

 

[tommays]

Re: Out of gas tank half full?

You need to be sure you did not lose spark , If you had run out of fuel it would have taken a LOT of cranking to refill the carb and fire the motor again

 

[mark p]

Re: Out of gas tank half full?

I checked the fuel filter after I ran out of gas and it was empty, it took alot of cranking and starter fluid to get the motor going.

 

[tysonnathan]

Re: Out of gas tank half full?

fuel pump could be going bad... or a hole somewhere in the pickup or the fuel line causing it to draw air...

 

[mark p]

Re: Out of gas tank half full?

I checked the gas tank vent it is all good.