Gummed up fuel on EFI

BBDAWG

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 9, 2010
Messages
41
I just purchased a 2006 Mercury 40hp ELPEFI motor on a 2007 pontoon boat. the motor has been sitting for over a year and there was obviously NO fuel stabilizer used nor was the engine run out of fuel before shutdown.

I have the motor at the dealer and first report is that the (EFI fuel pump) is gummed beyond repair and must be replaced. (cost to be over $700 L&M).
What else would be reasonable to expect from this situation?

The dealer told me he had to make the fuel pump replacement before he could do anything else and this worries me.

Prior to taking the motor in, I drained the old fuel, replace the hoses.bulb and tank and cleaned the fuel filter. I then used some starter fluid and was able to get the engine to run on the starter fluid but it died immediately when the fluid was removed. I could see the water pump peeing during the few seconds I let it run.
The oil (engine and lower unit) are good and clear.

Any info would help in building my trust in the mechanic working on the motor. (they had to order the new assembly) which will delay them until next week for additional work and I am sitting here with much $$$ concern.

(I know all the rules about buying and testing before buying but there is a long story behind this - so pls keep the flames on low for what appears to be total ignorance - it is not quite what it seems)
 

spicoastie

Cadet
Joined
Jul 10, 2010
Messages
23
Re: Gummed up fuel on EFI

I would try and flush the system with Seafoam and pull your vapor restrictor off and clean very well, buy some carb cleaner and let it sit then reassemble and test run, post ur serial number i can look it up and see what fuel system you have.

Brett
 

sschefer

Rear Admiral
Joined
Nov 13, 2008
Messages
4,530
Re: Gummed up fuel on EFI

The pump price is fair, sounds like you've got a respectable outfit working on your motor. I would stash away about 1200.00 for your repairs. That should cover injector cleaning and labor.

The pump being destroyed is not an uncommon thing with neglected engines. If the injectors don't flow to spec after cleaning tell your tech to call Tony or Linda Brucato for a used replacement. You can get their number at www.brucatosvs.com. Linda or Tony will hook you up at a fraction of the cost. They are my go to people for all my fuel injection needs. If your tech doesn't know about them yet he'll thank you for telling him.

Sounds to me like your on track for getting back on the water.. Stay the course.

Steve
 

BBDAWG

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 9, 2010
Messages
41
Re: Gummed up fuel on EFI

I would try and flush the system with Seafoam and pull your vapor restrictor off and clean very well, buy some carb cleaner and let it sit then reassemble and test run, post ur serial number i can look it up and see what fuel system you have.

Brett

Hi Brett,

2006 Mercury 40ELPTEFI
40 HP 4-STROKE
SR# 1C018470

The boat is still at the dealer and I already authorized the replacement of the fuel pump assembly. It is on order, due in on Tuesday.

I know what got me here I'm just concerned as to how much worse it could get when the mechanic replaces the fuel pump assy. I do not know this dealer (although they are quite large and very long time in Orlando) and do not know what to expect next. I have no experience as a marine engine mechanic and only limited knowledge of auto engines, so I am at the mercy of the engine Gods. (Very worried at how the Gods might view me)

The dealer said they couldn't go farther until this fuel assembly was replaced AND then they would know more..

From your experience (or others) on this or similar engines, how bad a problem is this, knowing what you do so far?
 

BBDAWG

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 9, 2010
Messages
41
Re: Gummed up fuel on EFI

The pump price is fair, sounds like you've got a respectable outfit working on your motor. I would stash away about 1200.00 for your repairs. That should cover injector cleaning and labor.

The pump being destroyed is not an uncommon thing with neglected engines. If the injectors don't flow to spec after cleaning tell your tech to call Tony or Linda Brucato for a used replacement. You can get their number at www.brucatosvs.com. Linda or Tony will hook you up at a fraction of the cost. They are my go to people for all my fuel injection needs. If your tech doesn't know about them yet he'll thank you for telling him.

Sounds to me like your on track for getting back on the water.. Stay the course.

Steve

Hi Steve,
Thanks and that is what I was looking for in a response.!! I'm certainly not happy with the answer but you helped me get into a ballpark as to what to expect. I just had NO idea and the dealer was no help..

Thanks also for the names, phone and links, I'll see what they say but I expect they will only purchase parts from Mercury. They are quite large and sell new boats. I chose them because another smaller shop told me they had the computer equipment to work on newer engines and he only worked on older engines.

Thanks Much
(and NO, I will not hold you responsible if the price is off a few pennys (grinn))
 

spicoastie

Cadet
Joined
Jul 10, 2010
Messages
23

BBDAWG

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 9, 2010
Messages
41
Re: Gummed up fuel on EFI

If they replace the fuel pump and not clean every thing well, it could push trash into your injectors, if not already there.

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/M...0001 THRU 1C050251/Vapor Separator/parts.html
This is a link to your vapor separator which shows the fuel pump.
This next link will show you the injectors and price for them
http://www.boats.net/parts/search/M...0001 THRU 1C050251/Intake Manifold/parts.html

Hope this gives you a better idea

Wow, this was very useful!!
I see the exact part they told me they ordered (the Fuel pump kit) and the cost in the link you sent is very close to the dealer quote.

WOW - that parts list is also VERY scary!!!

Thanks SO Much SPIECOASTIE for the information.. I can now accept that the dealer is being straight up with me!!! and that is reassuring..
 

Jeep Man

Commander
Joined
Oct 17, 2008
Messages
2,803
Re: Gummed up fuel on EFI

Randy, you said that the motor sat without stabilizer and that it hadn't been run dry before it sat idle. FYI for when your season ends, do NOT run the motor dry. Fuel injected motors have components that will dry out and fail without fuel. Just add stabilizer, run the motor so that stabilizer will be in the fuel that's in the motor, fog the cylinders, change the oil and leave it. That's what I do and it starts up in the spring with the first turn of the key.
 

BBDAWG

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 9, 2010
Messages
41
Re: Gummed up fuel on EFI

I did not know that!! Thanks for the tip. In Florida we don't do much to "winterize" like you Northern folks so some of us are really un-educated on this topic.
In my situation, the engine sat full of untreated gas, in the hot sun for over a year (according to the previous owner) which caused my current problems.

Just to clarify for the future, if, in Florida or warmer states, a boat will be stored for like a year, what is the best way to protect the engine? Would it be the same as You described above?
 
Top