engine will not start

[oldbouy]

I have a 1991 Bayliner 2655 sunbridge 5.0 alpha one mercruiser . at the boat dock after launching , the engine would not start . I took the boat home , removed the spin on fuel filter - water separator . the filter was almost empty of fuel . after some research , my findings suggested replacing the fuel pump and fuel filter . after that was completed I launched the boat , started it up , and ran real good for about 5 minutes . I put the boat in reverse and the engine died , the fuel tank is full with fresh fuel . I tried restarting many times , the engine would not even pop . I took the boat home , removed the fuel filter , the fuel level was down just a little bit in the fuel filter about 1 inch . the boat has a new aluminum fuel tank . what to do next ? thank you for looking at my post .

 

[bajaman123]

Need more history. When did the boat last run without any issues? What was done to the boat between when it ran good and now? Is this the 2 bbl or 4 bbl carburetor engine? The fuel in the w/s filter needs to be full with no air for one thing. Try manually filling the filter up and seeing if that fixes your problem.

 

[Lou C]

try running it off of an outboard fuel tank if it runs fine then it’s either the anti siphon valve, the pick up tube & screen or the vent….

 

[cyclops222]

The fuel line from the tank to the fuel pump is cracked open somewhere. Might close up when everything is connected. But a air leak is still there.

 

[oldbouy]

Need more history. When did the boat last run without any issues? What was done to the boat between when it ran good and now? Is this the 2 bbl or 4 bbl carburetor engine? The fuel in the w/s filter needs to be full with no air for one thing. Try manually filling the filter up and seeing if that fixes your problem.

hello bajaman123: the boat ran great 2 months previous , the time it would not start was 1 month ago , that was when I discovered a low fuel in the fuel filter . I replaced the fuel pump and fuel filter . I filled the fuel filter with fresh fuel before installing it on the engine . I ran the engine in my yard at home , ran great , after I launched the boat the engine started up and ran great . when I put the boat in reverse the engine died and would not restart . the engine has a 4 bbl carb, clean anti spark arrestor , engine compartment is clean and well maintained , oil is clean , the engine has 891 hours . the boat was well maintained , has a new aluminum fuel tank .

 

[oldbouy]

Need more history. When did the boat last run without any issues? What was done to the boat between when it ran good and now? Is this the 2 bbl or 4 bbl carburetor engine? The fuel in the w/s filter needs to be full with no air for one thing. Try manually filling the filter up and seeing if that fixes your problem.

Need more history. When did the boat last run without any issues? What was done to the boat between when it ran good and now? Is this the 2 bbl or 4 bbl carburetor engine? The fuel in the w/s filter needs to be full with no air for one thing. Try manually filling the filter up and seeing if that fixes your problem.

 

[oldbouy]

try running it off of an outboard fuel tank if it runs fine then it’s either the anti siphon valve, the pick up tube & screen or the vent….

ok , I will try your ideas . thank you

 

[bajaman123]

Yeah...there's a leak somewhere that is allowing air to enter the fuel system, the fact you've seen the filter not full a couple of times confirms that. Question is, where? I would start with the new fuel tank and work backwards, making sure the vent for the tank is functional and then going towards the engine from there.

 

[oldbouy]

The fuel line from the tank to the fuel pump is cracked open somewhere. Might close up when everything is connected. But a air leak is still there.

the boat has a new aluminum fuel tank new hoses . I will check for any leaks or splits in the lines . thank you .

 

[oldbouy]

Yeah...there's a leak somewhere that is allowing air to enter the fuel system, the fact you've seen the filter not full a couple of times confirms that. Question is, where? I would start with the new fuel tank and work backwards, making sure the vent for the tank is functional and then going towards the engine from there.

I will double check all the lines , any way to check if the fuel pump is pumping properly ?

 

[oldbouy]

Yeah...there's a leak somewhere that is allowing air to enter the fuel system, the fact you've seen the filter not full a couple of times confirms that. Question is, where? I would start with the new fuel tank and work backwards, making sure the vent for the tank is functional and then going towards the engine from there.

anyway to check the fuel pressure from the fuel pump to the carb?

 

[Scott06]

anyway to check the fuel pressure from the fuel pump to the carb?

T in a fuel pressure gauge. Merc makes a fitting which is kind of pricey to use once… or you can rig up compression fittings and a T