98 225 Rude System Check Engine Light Came On

[Salty Tricks]

The first time I shut it down and started up again and remained off. Today it came on thirty seconds after start up. Engine died by itself. Hard starting it up again. Finally got it to start and engine light/warning again. I am resigned to replace the fuel lines,filters and priming bulb since they have some years on them. My fuel circuit has a Floscan, Racor fuel/water separator and I assume an inline filter under the cowling. 1) Recommended fuel line? 2) Any love for the glass inline filters with replaceable elements. 3) Can a clogged fuel vent be the culprit? ( I also have a Racor LG50 fuel/air separator on the vent line). Thank you !

 

[dingbat]

1. Trident barrier lined, A1 marine fuel hose

2. I’ll stick to OEM style in-line filter. Racor 10 um filter in front of it. Just catching rocks

3. Not familiar with a vent separator. Can’t see how it could help if restricted

 

[Salty Tricks]

Thanks ! The vent sep is only for preventing fuel from backing up through the vent line during fuel up. The glass inline ( I thought) would make it easier to confirm fuel flow in the line. Is the Sheilds as good as the Trident?

 

[dingbat]

Shields is good hose as well. Make sure it’s A1 rated

Not a fan of in-line fuel filters in general. Redundant...unneeded fuel restriction, something else to go wrong.

I use the audio method of fuel flow detection.

Motor running = fuel flow
Motor not running = no fuel flow

Guess it would be good to check for upstream fuel supply leaks

 

[Chris1956]

Check Engine is vacuum on fuel line, indicating restriction. Obviously furl filters, tank vent and anti-siphon valve are possible culprits.

Some of those motors have a fuel strainer under the airbox. It has two gaskets. Make sure screen is clean and gaskets seal.

 

[Salty Tricks]

I started boat up this morning and could not get the engine light to come on. This leads me to another question. I did change the VRO last year. Prior to that , I had to count to 10 on the enrichment switch to get the boat started. This year I reduced the count to six. Is it possible that I am flooding the system with this procedure? If so would a fuel ( or oil) flooded system cause the engine sensor to come on. I say this because this morning I engaged the enrichment switch for only two seconds . Is it at all possible my engine light is coming on from my improper starting procedure?

 

[Chris1956]

I do not think that is your issue. The Check Engine alarm is triggered by the vacuum sensor on your fuel line.

On a related subject. The enrichment switch is simply a solenoid. It is not a pump. Holding it down without cranking the motor doesn't do very much. I recommend you prime the fuel system, hold the enrichment switch and turn the key. Hold the enrichment switch until the engine fires and starts.;

 

[Salty Tricks]

Yep...Did what you said, started right up , ran for a few minutes and died. Tried starting her back up and would not stay running and engine light came on. Primed the bulb and started right up and no alarm. Clearly the fuel is being restricted somewhere. I'll replace all the fuel lines,primer bulb and the Racor filter. I don't see an inline filter, at least not before the VRO pump. The only other impediment I can see could be the Floscan sensor.

 

[dingbat]

I'll replace all the fuel lines,primer bulb and the Racor filter. I don't see an inline filter, at least not before the VRO pump. The only other impediment I can see could be the Floscan sensor.

while your at it check anti-siphon valve.

A vacuum leak (fuel link leak) will trigger the alarm as well

You don’t have a tank selector valve by chance? My problem was a leaking selector valve

 

[Chris1956]

Check the vent on the fuel tank. A restriction there will kill the motor after it runs a few minutes. Usually the primer bulb will collapse though.

 

[Salty Tricks]

In the middle of this now. Bought Shields A1 fuel line. Starting from the motor back. The Tee fitting right under the VRO pump with the small nipple is probably the line for the vacuum switch. That had a skimpy squeeze connector on it and may have been loose or disconnected but I may have dislodged it when I was fiddling with the fuel line. The short fuel line from the same tee to the VRO seems flimsy ...it is an OMC part, also held by squeeze clamps....not sure if I should replace that. Installed new squeeze bulb. now working back to the Floscan, Racor and fuel tank. Have not seen an anti siphon but I assume that's a tank fitting I have not got to yet. I'll report back

 

[Salty Tricks]

Replaced all fuel lines and the primer bulb. So far so good ran the motor for 15 minutes no alarm. Ill let it run at the dock for awhile before I take her out for a run....don't feel like getting towed! Btw it took 15 feet of fuel line to replace it all!

 

[cfauvel]

In the middle of this now. Bought Shields A1 fuel line. Starting from the motor back. The Tee fitting right under the VRO pump with the small nipple is probably the line for the vacuum switch. That had a skimpy squeeze connector on it and may have been loose or disconnected but I may have dislodged it when I was fiddling with the fuel line. The short fuel line from the same tee to the VRO seems flimsy ...it is an OMC part, also held by squeeze clamps....not sure if I should replace that. Installed new squeeze bulb. now working back to the Floscan, Racor and fuel tank. Have not seen an anti siphon but I assume that's a tank fitting I have not got to yet. I'll report back

the proper clamps for the fuel pump , Tee, primer bulb are the Snap Clamps of various sizes, not worm gear clamps or zip ties (not your issue though).

 

[cfauvel]

Replaced all fuel lines and the primer bulb. So far so good ran the motor for 15 minutes no alarm. Ill let it run at the dock for awhile before I take her out for a run....don't feel like getting towed! Btw it took 15 feet of fuel line to replace it all!

hmm did you look inside the fuel lines to see if the liner is collapsing?

 

[Salty Tricks]

yes ! Honestly the lines looked pretty healthy. Sierra 4000. I split open the section from the primer bulb and the vacuum tee underneath the VRO and it was totally intact. I again ran the boat today for 15 minutes and no alarm. Weather permitting Ill give it a good run tomorrow.