Check Engine

[trlakecobalt]

First trip out this season and after about 10-15 minutes of run time I got the beep and check engine message on my 2018 220S with VP 280 v6. Engine protection mode was triggered, so we limped back to the dock. Oil pressure and water temperature were not the problem. After some internet research, I tested my batteries. Bothe had some voltage but failed the test. So, two new batteries and I run it on the lift for about 30 minutes, no alarms. Great, I’m thinking my problem was low voltage. Load up the boat and go for a ride. This time I stay in our cove in case we have problems. Well, about 10-15 minutes into it and we get the beep and check engine message. Limp back to the dock. This time, before the alarm went off, it didn’t want to spool up to high rpm. More internet searches and lots of head scratching. I double checked the sea water pump impeller, that was changed at the end of last season. Everything was right so I reassembled. Decided to change the water separator/fuel filter. While at the dealer buying parts, I run into a mechanic I know and told him my trouble. He suggested new spark plugs, might be a misfire. So I head home with 6 plugs and a fuel filter. Install the new parts and start the engine on the lift. Ran it for about 30 minutes at various rpm. No messages or beeps, but towards the end of the run I hear a high pitched whine. I remember reading in the manual that it might be the fuel pump and can be caused by a clogged fuel filter. A couple of cold ones and more internet sleuthing. I come up with a plan. I purchased an edelbrock universal electric fuel pump fromOreillys. Wire it up to run off of my battery charger, so I don’t have any sparks in the boat. Buy a new fuel filter. Back to the boat. I pulled the fuel line off of the engine and hook it to the fuel pump inlet. I then pumped 3 or 4 gallons into an empty fuel can. Hook everything back up and change the fuel filter. Dumped the contents of the fuel filter into a cup. Nasty looking gas, about the color of an amber ale. Drop the boat in the water and let it run for a few minutes then head out into the cove. I made laps at different rpm’s including full throttle. Everything worked as it should. I tooled around for 35 minutes. No alarms or problems! I think it was bad gas, which is interesting. I bought all of my gas last season from marina’s on the lake, so no ethanol. Some pictures below.

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[AsLan7]

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So glad you found us, TRLC…

Nice job troubleshooting. We appreciate the pics too.

I’m curious, did you stabilize your fuel last year before storage?

And welcome aboard mate.

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[Kate]

"delbrock universal electric fuel pump fromOreillys"

I don't think that is a marinized fuel pump. If not, you are courting disaster.

Congrats on the successful sleuthing.

[trlakecobalt]

Yes, I stabilized the fuel when I winterized. The edelbrock pump was only used to move fuel from the boat tank to a gas jug. It is not part of my boat’s fuel system. I hope to never use it again, but it was perfect for the job.

As a follow up, I believe the real problem was fuel starvation at higher rpm’s due to water contamination. The fuel filter was clogged with water reducing the amount of fuel available. Time will tell.