Engine problems while on vacation

[zaayer]

I have a 2012 VP 8.1. We have had all kind of problems on vacation. I had a lack of power and check engine lights. I could not find a mechanic within 200 miles that could read the codes. I ordered a Rinda code reader and received it today. We found yesterday that 2 injectors were mostly clogged and cleaned them. The boat gained back most if not all of its power, but we still threw codes and went into limp mode. Today, I got the reader and cleared the codes. It ran great for an hour but then we started losing power. It feels like we have clogged injectors again. I checked codes and had two. The first is SPN 4238 Exhaust 2, ST fuel trim. The other is SPN=924 count=6 Auxillary Output #1 Indmar Cam Phaser 2 failure mode 5. I think the first may be due to clogged injectors. I can't find anything on the 924 code. Any ideas what that one is?
Should I remove the fuel in the boat. I have about 50 gallons in there? I did run seafoam when the problems started. I am guessing that it knocked some contaminates into the fuel and is cloggin the injectors. I currently have injector cleaner mixed with the gas. It does not seem to be helping. WIll I need to keep cleaning the injectors?

All help is greatly appreciated as my kids are just staring at me while I am looking at the boat. I don't think my wife is too happy as well!!!!
Brian

 

[ejnichol]

If your fuel is over a year old yes I'd remove it. I run my boat such that fuel is enough for planned boat travel such that I run tank low regularly and replenish as needed. Always keeping fresh fuel in tank. No old fuel.

 

[zaayer]

If your fuel is over a year old yes I'd remove it. I run my boat such that fuel is enough for planned boat travel such that I run tank low regularly and replenish as needed. Always keeping fresh fuel in tank. No old fuel.

Half the fuel is a month old, the other half is fresh.

 

[tpenfield]

When else is a boat engine going have problems? Boats seem to know when you need them the most and act-up accordingly.

You probably should have gotten the full Diacom software and not just the code reader.

The fuel should be fine since it is not that old. You have a variety of trouble codes, so it can be hard to tell. Are you removing the injectors to clean them? Have you dumped the fuel from the fuel rail into a cup to see if there are contaninants? Have you checked the fuel rail pressure?

Not many V-P guru's or mechanics around, as you probably know. Maybe @muc on this forum can offer some guidance.

 

[HiWard]

Did you check the fuel pressure regulator screen for debris?

 

[zaayer]

Did you check the fuel pressure regulator screen for debris?

I will do that in the morning. I am also going to test the pressure in the fuel rail.

 

[Bondo]

I will do that in the morning. I am also going to test the pressure in the fuel rail.

Ayuh,.... Did you pull the fuel filter, dump it's contents into a clear vessel, 'n examine it for anything but clean fresh gasoline,..??

 

[Donald0039]

Ayuh,.... Did you pull the fuel filter, dump it's contents into a clear vessel, 'n examine it for anything but clean fresh gasoline,..??

Or replace the fuel filter and cut the old one apart.

Bad gas from the gas pump is always a possibility.

 

[zaayer]

So it looks like the paint from the fuel pump assembly is coming off and clogging the fuel injectors. I have cleaned the fuel rail, lines and injectors as well as removed the paint from the assembly. I can see the paint chips in the fuel pressure regulator screen. UHGGG!!!

 

[tpenfield]

So it looks like the paint from the fuel pump assembly is coming off and clogging the fuel injectors. I have cleaned the fuel rail, lines and injectors as well as removed the paint from the assembly. I can see the paint chips in the fuel pressure regulator screen. UHGGG!!!

I know that paint in the cool fuel was a problem with the Mercruisers, not thinking it would be the same for the Volvo-Penta engines.

Is the remedy a new fuel module?

 

[HiWard]

I know that paint in the cool fuel was a problem with the Mercruisers, not thinking it would be the same for the Volvo-Penta engines.

Is the remedy a new fuel module?

Not necessarily. Look up mancavemechanic on YouTube. He has some nice videos on rebuilding the fuel cell. Strip down the entire unit and remove the interior paint. I’ve done this myself and replaced all the o-rings while I was at it. Regularily inspect the screen just to stay ahead of things.

 

[muc]

Sorry I missed this but I've been busy.
SPN 924 FMI 5 is a check engine light problem. Does the red light on the engine status panel (it's a ! inside of triangle that's inside a circle) light up when you first turn the key to run?

SPN 4238 is missing the FMI (can be a 0 or1) (you might need to expand the fault to see the FMI) this is an adaptive learn problem and can be many many things. Low fuel pressure or bad/clogged injectors is just one of them. The trouble with only (should be seeing misfire codes and maybe some others) this code setting is that it could be other things.

Reconditioning a fuel system that has had paint chips isn't easy and I highly recommend using someone who is well versed in marine injection systems. While marine fuel injectors are from the auto side, the way they are used is different and the auto people don't see paint chips. So cleaning and testing is different.