Bad fuel???? 2000 Evinrude Ficht 225 running poorly on my 00 Wellcraft Coastal 290

[fisherman290]

I finally got my boat in the water and due to my awesome luck I ran in to more problems. A few weeks ago I had both engines running like champs but this weekend for some reason that didnt last long.
After putting my boat in the water yesterday, 3 of my #2 engine dummy lights came on (low oil, temp, and another came on) Later on that evening, the dummy lights were off and I was able to crank the engine and run it, but still had both of the check engine light coming on intermittently. This morning as I was pulling out of my slip my #2 engine check engine light came on, but just momentarily, with no other indications, so I continued to leave the harbor and once I got on the throttle a little bit all was fine for about 5 minutes. My #1 engine check light came on then went out , but 3 seconds later the engine bogged down and was pretty much chugging along at 1500 rpm. But I still had the number two engine so I wasn't too worried because it could carry me back to the marina.... so I thought. About a minute after the #1 went out, #2 just died completely as well. I cycled the ignition switches a few times, but only to see those top three dummy lights come on time after time. I decided to wait a little bit, and was then able to get one of the engines working well for a minute or two, but then bogged down and slowly chugged me closer to the dock, before completely dying once again. I completed the same steps as before but this time disconnecting my negative battery leads to maybe reset the computers. I was able to limp in on the one engine, but it was running very poorly.
My hypothesis about the whole situation is I've got bad fuel in my tanks. It has been sitting for a couple months before I bought it, but I added stabil and some lucas oil to the tanks to maybe prevent anything like this happening. I also found it very odd that both engines died at pretty much the same time seeing as they are independently managed, and the only common factor is the fuel source. If anybody could help me out I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks-

 

[jonesg]

Re: Bad fuel???? 2000 Evinrude Ficht 225 running poorly on my 00 Wellcraft Coastal 29

You just bought the rig, but have not drawn any fuel from the tanks to inspect it yet? Pump some into a bottle or glass and let it settle out.
Well it looks like you've probably got it isolated to the fuel .
You just need to check it and hopefully find the problem.
You might want to check the plugs for water too, you know how to index them right?

I found about 20% water in my tank when I bought my tub.

Otherwise drain all the carbs, purge the lines (I'd re-plumb all new) and try running freh fuel in a 6 gal temporary tank, eliminate the water seperator for now and use a new bulb, that way you eliminate all vestiges of the old system.

I installed a new 50 gal tank, all new lines, new fittings , everything.
Old fuel lines can kill engines, I also installed new fill hose and overflow vent line. I'd flush that tank, did mine with acetone (bought it used).

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Bad fuel???? 2000 Evinrude Ficht 225 running poorly on my 00 Wellcraft Coastal 29

Agree with the clean out the lines and try a temp tank. It should answer a lot of your questions.

 

[kevmiller]

Re: Bad fuel???? 2000 Evinrude Ficht 225 running poorly on my 00 Wellcraft Coastal 29

Have had similar fuel problems. Previous owner capped off stbd pickup and teed both engines off of port. After experiencing intermittent fuel starvation problems, I removed the top of the port pickup and found what looks like the remains of the anti-siphon valve in the top. Pulled the port pickup top and found the same thing except the piece of the valve was still in good condition and couldn't be sucked out with my handheld fuel pump. I will remove it this winter with a muzzle loading bullet puller (screw on the tip of an aluminum rod). My tank is aluminum, from Florida Marine tanks. Fuel pickups are welded in.

2000 Coastal 230 Sport w/ twin 150 Ficht Ram.