[slcstein@comcast.net]

I have a 2000 225 ficht that seems to starve for fuel.With key on engine off, fuel pump runs until system has pressure. Engine starts right up & idles great & will run okall the way up to 1500 to 1800 rpms with no problems.If engine is taken to up to 2000 rpms it seems to take about20 seconds or so & then starts missing or starving for fuel. Or if given wide open throttle, missing or starving happens almost imediately. No check engine light comes on. I've replaced the fuel filter\seperator under cowling & took fuel line loose from remote fuel\water sperator & put fuel line from primer bulb (tank side) into a remote tank with fresh fuel as to eliminate all components up to the primer bulb. Problem still occurs. At first problem was intermittent, but now problem is constant. Also noticed one time while attempting to run at wide open throttle, ran engine until it stalled. Noticed on restart that fuel pump ran for a while (5-7 seconds) with key on engine off.I thought that might be a sign that fuel system was no longer pressurized after engine stalled leading me to belive that engine was indeed starving for fuel. Once again engine restarted with no problem & would run fine up to 1500 to 2000 rpms.Could this be a lifting pump, reservoir pump, primer bulb or something else all togehter? Any help would be much appricated. Also fuel pump made strange noise earlier in the day beforeproblem became constant.Thanks in advance,

[DJ]

Start with the simple/cheap stuff first.1. Primer bulb.2. Try an all new set up from a REMOTE tank.

[Cricket Too]

Your fuel pump should run like that every time you turn your key to the ON position, same as in your car. I don't really think that indiactes anything. But it making a strange noise at one point might.

[seahorse5]

On an injected motor like yours a fuel or an ignition problem can sound the same.Hook up an EFI automotive pressure gauge to the Schraeder fitting and run the boat. If the pressure drops off, you have a fuel delivery problem. IF it stays constant, chances are it's ignition. You can find out real quick using a timing lite on each plug wire. You can also use a timing lite pickup around 1 injector wire to test for elelctical operation.There is a 40 volt system that could be out of whack not providing enough power to the ignition and injector systems as the rpms increase. Follow the service manual for troubleshooting.

[slcstein@comcast.net]

thanks everyone,seahorse, do you know if faulty spark plugs could cause this? it does feel like an ignition misfire, but the thing that's throwing me off is if you go from idle to 2000 rpm it will notmisfire until running at 2000 rpm for about 20 seconds andthat is consistant each time going from idle to 2000 rpm.if rpm is kept between 1500 to 1800 misfiring does not occur.that was making me think it was running out of fuel shortly aftertrying to maintain 2000rpm.I had the spark plugs replaced. i'm going to go for a ride saturday & see what happens. I'll take a fuel pressure guagewith me, Do you know how many psi of fuel FICHT run at? Now, using the timimg light around each plug wire, am I tobe looking for the strobe to flash (or not flash) to indicate a misfire in that cylinder? And does that go the same for injector wiring?

[seahorse5]

Make sure you use the correct numbered sparkplug and gap them about .028". They also have to be indexed correctly. http://www.boatsetup.com/PlgIndexing.html I'll bet the exhaust sensor tube has never been taken out or checked for plugging with carbon. Just follow the small rubber hose from the EMM down to the stb. side of the exhaust adapter and remove the tube to inspect.Fuel pressure should be about 22-30 psi and it should hold pressure after about a 5 psi drop when you turn the key off.

[slcstein@comcast.net]

if the exhaust sensor tube is plugged up, should it be replacedor can it just be cleaned?

[seahorse5]

If it's plugged solid, replace it. Most of the time the end in the exhaust stream is pitted and corroded, too.

[slcstein@comcast.net]

WELL, I WENT FOR A RIDE & HOOKED UP FUELPESURE GAUGE, 20 - 22 PSI UP 1500 RPM, THENWHEN GOING TO WIDE OPEN THROTTLE 0 PSI OF FUEL PRESURE, PUMPED PRIMER BULB LIKE CRAZZY THENRPM'S PICKED UP AND ENGINE RAN GOOD . DOES THIS SOUND LIKE A LIFT PUMP? NOTE: FUEL PRESSURE GUAGE WAS NOT ON AT TIME WHEN PUMPING BULB, SO IDID NOT GET FUEL PSI READING WHEN RUNNING GOODAT HIGH RPM.

[seahorse5]

Could be a lift pump or even electric pump, restriction or air leakage in the boat's fuel lines, and/or plugged fuel filters on the boat and on the engine, or a combination of problems. Now that you know it's fuel starvation, the troubleshooting begins.Did the gauge hold pressure when the key was turned OFF?

[slcstein@comcast.net]

I HAVE USED A REMOTE TANK WITH FRESH FUEL& CONNECTED IT DIRECTLY TO THE "T" FITTINGTHAT GOES TO THE LIFT PUMP. PROBLEM REMIANS.FUEL PRESSURE DOES HOLD AT APROX 20 PSI WITH KEY OFF. ALSO NOTICED WHEN IDLING FUEL PUMPIS WHINING, IF PRIMER BULB IS RAPPIDLY PUMPED, WHINE FROM FUEL PUMP WILL GO AWAY FOR A WHILE.THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THE LIFT PUMP IS NOT SUPPLYING THE VOLUME OF FUEL NEEDED FEED THE ELECTRIC PUMP. IS THIS A CORRECT ASSUMPTION?THE FUEL FILTERS/WATER SEPERATORS ARE ALL NEW,ALL FUEL LINE CLAMPS ARE TIGHT.

[seahorse5]

A bad lift pump is logical according to your description. Be sure to change the fuel filter also. The fuel pump, regulator, fuel cooler cannister is an assembly and that could be faulty too.Don't lose sight that there may be more than one problem with the engine.