I have had this boat for several years, it has only ran good for one summer. This is a 5.0 MPI SINCE 2003 it has had the brain module replaced after stalling taking off with skiers in 2004. 2005 was a good summer. 2006 we were out on the lake set up for the 4th when a storm came up and the boat started then died several times, we were blown to the shore and beat us with hard rain 1/2 hour later the boat started and ran fine the rest of the week if we stop for a swim or to set up for skiing and it was more than 15min it would not start for 1/2hour. Fuel was ran out, fuel/ water separator was change , fuel drier was added, new gas, all in a week with no change. Mercury's advice me was take to one of their top dealers which I did they took it out and had no problem, of course. I took it out and 2nd day same problem. 2nd dealer check it out and had no problem as well. 2008 I sat on the dock on a raining day, mad , and worked on the motor. when I took the gas line loose on the inlet to the filter blew back to the tank re connected it would start up and run. 2009 took it in to another dealer that listen to my history. They came up with nothing but did change the water pump because of a code of high temp. Took it out again and yes it did it again. I have replaced the hose from the tank, use a camera to look in the tank and still the problem is going on. 2010 Aug. I tried just removing the fuel hose from the tank to filter and not blowing to the tank for a min. reconnected and it ran great. I believe that this motor has a vapor lock issue. the motor runs 160 temp and is used in lakes only. This will happen if I run for 1hrs or 4 hrs If any one can help solve this 5 year old problem that has not been found by Mercury service dealer(s) may I could relax the next time I am out boating.
