Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Took the family out for a great day on the water that soon turned into a trip to hell. I filled up at the marina before we went out with .90.00 worth of gas and top of of oil in the tank as it was almost out of gas. Pullednthenkids and mom on the tube,everyone having a blast,boat running great ............and then it just QUIT!!!! Would start and run 4-5 sec and die. Marina couldn't come get us as we were 45 min north s they sent the StateTrooper Boat to the rescue. Towed us to the closest marina a mile away and then we had to go get the truck and trailer and make the 30 minute drive. Finally got It loaded three hrs after it quit
I'm thinking its fuel related like fuel filter picked up sludge out of bottom of tank that got stirred up from being almost empty when filled up or it's the fuel pump or sending unit. Like I said it was running great until it quit. What a shitty day. And Fathers Day to boot!!!
Any thoughts folks?

It would help to know what kind of motor you have and the boat.

Ethanol? I'm an expert 4 breakdowns in 5 yrs. Water in gas from not keeping tank full when not being used? Fuel line eaten up by ethanol. Check fuel filter on motor---see if it is full of rubber pieces..

My motor---90 Merc Optimax---fuel pump grommet? eaten by ethanol---

Prob fuel related since it starts and dies.... pain in the ass for sure.

more than likely fuel...

I ALWAYS carry a separate spare 3 gallon tank as a reserve/backup to my main 26 gallon. 3 gallons is enough for me to go well over 30 miles at displacement speed. But I also have a trolling motor and a gas kicker so I'm well prepared.

Sounds like an ethanol issue. This happened to us a few years ago on my father in laws boat. It was a 6" long fuel hose that shredded due to using ethanol. Same exact symptoms.

We only put 100% gas it in at the marina. Didnt buy it new but previous owner indicated he tried to do the same...who knows.
I feel pretty good about it being fuel related an not a major repair. Marina has it now.
Whoever asked its a 2008 Merc 2 stroke 90.

My 2004 90hp 2 stroke mercury was doing the exact same thing, until it caught fire...

My "main" culprit, was the voltage regulator, but the fire did much more damage. Not fuel related at all on mine, but same symptoms you explain. Ran for a few seconds, then would die.

I run 90/10 pump gas during the boating season when I'm on the lake often and turning over the gasoline.

When I put it up for the winter, I invest in 100% gasoline with additives.

Hope you promptly find your running problem.

Bamaman wrote:I run 90/10 pump gas during the boating season when I'm on the lake often and turning over the gasoline.

When I put it up for the winter, I invest in 100% gasoline with additives.

Hope you promptly find your running problem.

^^ X2. My motor is a 2001 Honda 115 and it has a label on it saying it is designed to run 10% ethanol.

I think my fathers day might have been worse....

Decided to take my brother and his wife for a trip up the St. Johns river to show him some places I used to go boating 30 years ago. 8:30 in the morning passing a marina get a no wake $88 speeding ticket. Then we go down a small branch of the river which is very scenic and narrow. My wife is filming and she is saying " those branches are getting a little close to the ..........RIP Bimini. Yup....$900 for a new Bimini! Didn't catch any fish either..........

bummer!

Boats fixed..WHOO HOO!!!!!!!
Seems the fuel filter had split and was plugging the line. Never heard of that before and the folks at the marina said they had seen it only once or twice before. Im just happy it was something simple.
These folks at the Marina I have a slip at are the absolute best!!! They bust their asses for all of us needy boat owners for sure. On top of fixing it, I had tham replace the plugs, change the bottom end oil and put in a new impellar. All that work plus putting my boat back on the lift and putting the trailier in the storage yard for a whoppin total of $153.33!!!!!
Yea...that what Im talkin bout!!!!!!

wow that is a steal!!!

Soonertoon wrote:Boats fixed..WHOO HOO!!!!!!!
Seems the fuel filter had split and was plugging the line. Never heard of that before and the folks at the marina said they had seen it only once or twice before. Im just happy it was something simple.
These folks at the Marina I have a slip at are the absolute best!!! They bust their asses for all of us needy boat owners for sure. On top of fixing it, I had tham replace the plugs, change the bottom end oil and put in a new impellar. All that work plus putting my boat back on the lift and putting the trailier in the storage yard for a whoppin total of $153.33!!!!!
Yea...that what Im talkin bout!!!!!!

Very good news. Why don't you reward your marina's good work and let us know their name and lake.