Merc 2004 4 Stroke Fuel Injections Problems

[Joe Fernandez]

I have a pair of merc 4 strokes that continue to give me problems with fuel injection problems. Motors have independent fuel tanks (30 gallon 2001 plastic cleaned in 2004), I have replaced several times the fuel/water seperators, engine filters, and use racor brand filters, replace fuel lines and inspected fuel pickup tubes. I will use injection cleaners and the problem clears up and then in less than a week clogs again. Minimizing max tach reading of 4700 rpm. My neighbor has the same problem with his of the same make and model. Any suggestions?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Merc 2004 4 Stroke Fuel Injections Problems

Try running a continuous diet of SeaFoam in the fuel. You can use the stuff at virtually any concentration without consequence. I would suggest using 2 cans in 30 gallons as an initial application. Then cut back to one can and see if that helps. SeaFoam helps deal with moisture issues, is a fuel stabilizer and is an excellent fuel system cleaner. I use it in every engine I own including my cars and trucks.

 

[Joe Fernandez]

Re: Merc 2004 4 Stroke Fuel Injections Problems

Try running a continuous diet of SeaFoam in the fuel. You can use the stuff at virtually any concentration without consequence. I would suggest using 2 cans in 30 gallons as an initial application. Then cut back to one can and see if that helps. SeaFoam helps deal with moisture issues, is a fuel stabilizer and is an excellent fuel system cleaner. I use it in every engine I own including my cars and trucks.

 

[Joe Fernandez]

Re: Merc 2004 4 Stroke Fuel Injections Problems

Try running a continuous diet of SeaFoam in the fuel. You can use the stuff at virtually any concentration without consequence. I would suggest using 2 cans in 30 gallons as an initial application. Then cut back to one can and see if that helps. SeaFoam helps deal with moisture issues, is a fuel stabilizer and is an excellent fuel system cleaner. I use it in every engine I own including my cars and trucks.

I have used SeaFoam and was informed by a boat mechanic to add directly into the water seperator and run it through at a 50% mixture which worked for awhile but still not permanent fix. I was told by racor that their seperator is a 10 micron filter and also has the non permeable membrane for water which is captured in the bowl. I utilize my boat for short trips and keep it in the water and I know that I get condensation in tank but I was told that the racor filter would catch it and the motor filter which is also made by racor would catch any additional debris or water.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Merc 2004 4 Stroke Fuel Injections Problems

Adding it to the water separator is a one shot deal. I'm talking about using SeaFoam on a continual basis for two reasons. One is the moisture issue and second is to keep the injectors and fuel system clean. One shot obviously is not doing the job but since it does help, that should be a clue. Engines that never get warmed up, especially four strokes, seem to have more water-in-oil and fuel related problems. Try running SeaFoam full time and see if it helps. You will never know and will continue to fight the problem unless you try something different. As someone on this board so aptly said "keep doing what your're doing and you keep getting what you got".

 

[Joe Fernandez]

Re: Merc 2004 4 Stroke Fuel Injections Problems

Adding it to the water separator is a one shot deal. I'm talking about using SeaFoam on a continual basis for two reasons. One is the moisture issue and second is to keep the injectors and fuel system clean. One shot obviously is not doing the job but since it does help, that should be a clue. Engines that never get warmed up, especially four strokes, seem to have more water-in-oil and fuel related problems. Try running SeaFoam full time and see if it helps. You will never know and will continue to fight the problem unless you try something different. As someone on this board so aptly said "keep doing what your're doing and you keep getting what you got".

 

[Joe Fernandez]

Re: Merc 2004 4 Stroke Fuel Injections Problems

What I did not mention in the past thread is that I have been utilizing Lucas injection and stabilizer in the fuel tanks since the last cleaning that was recommended by another mechanic. I am buying this stuff by the gallon utilizing it in my vehiclses also. I am just fustrated that motors that are engineered to work all of the world with inferior quality gas would be so susceptible injection problems like I am incurring. I been told by the mechanics to change brand of fuel which I utilize in my cars also to see if that does it. I will switch back to sea foam with my next tank load. Have you heard of other boaters with similiar problems?

 

[alana]

Re: Merc 2004 4 Stroke Fuel Injections Problems

i think if the water in the fuel has got as far as the injectors, you will find that the body of the vaper seperator, the container in which the high pressure fuel pump sits is corroded. i had the same problem

 

[Joe Fernandez]

Re: Merc 2004 4 Stroke Fuel Injections Problems

i think if the water in the fuel has got as far as the injectors, you will find that the body of the vaper seperator, the container in which the high pressure fuel pump sits is corroded. i had the same problem

I just found out about that pump. How difficult is it to get to and is this a diaphram type pump or electronic? Were you able to clean the container or did you have to replace?

 

[alana]

Re: Merc 2004 4 Stroke Fuel Injections Problems

sorry pressed the wrong key...........to continue, i used cleaners in the fuel but all that did was to loosen the particules and let them move into the injectors .when i took the vaper seperater off ,the inside was deeply pitted and there was a thick layer of sludge in it. also the caseing of the injector pump was rusty. i replaced all the bad parts and sold the motor

 

[alana]

Re: Merc 2004 4 Stroke Fuel Injections Problems

not to hard to get to .. cleaned the container. the pump is electric. as i could not see if there was internal damage to the pump i put on a new one you can look up the parts diagrams on this iboats site. but you will still have to clean or replace injectors

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Merc 2004 4 Stroke Fuel Injections Problems

Some boaters on the coasts are apparently having issues with the blended fuel that some states are now mandating. Its called, E10, gasahol, blended, to name just a few. Moisture build up is the biggest issue and of course any engine problem is immediated blamed on fuel. We in the midwest have been using blended fuel since 1997 and it did caused some initial issues in older vehicles and engines that weren't designed for it. In some boats, some older fuel tanks are not compatible with ethanol so there are reports of issues there as well. What happens is the ethanol is an exellent fuel system cleaner so it cleans up all the crud, gum, varnish and other gunk that builds up in fuel systems. The result is clogged fuel filters, clogged carbs, carbs that now have stuff loosened up and sitting in float bowls, injectors, etc. Once the fuel system is cleaned up the engines live nicely. We rarely hear of a fuel related problem in this area anymore. Fuel stabilizers are just that. They stabilize the fuel. I still feel that keeping your tanks full and running a continuous diet of SeaFoam will help -- and No I don't work for the company. d

 

[alana]

Re: Merc 2004 4 Stroke Fuel Injections Problems

hello Silvertip.........i`me not blameing the fuel. my fuel injected cars use the same without problems. on the boat i fitted 2 quicksilver fillter/water traps plus the one in the motor and when the dirt still got into the injectors all the fillters were looked at. and they were still clean. it seems that these outboards just cant cope with `normal` impurities. anyway that outboards gone

 

[Joe Fernandez]

Re: Merc 2004 4 Stroke Fuel Injections Problems

Thanks for all the info, I am preparing rigs for king makeral and shark fishing. The wind is blowing 20knots and seas are kicked up but soon as it settles down I will try all the new tips. I will post the results. I fish the Gulf of Mexico west of Tampa Bay Florida and we are fortunate that we can boat 12 months a year and I try to do that. We just have to dodge the cold fronts in the winter and thunderstorms in the summer. That seafoam product has been around for awhile and is promoted by close friends so I will give a try again. I am pulling the boat in a couple of hours do the maintenance that is required. Thanks again

 

[alana]

Re: Merc 2004 4 Stroke Fuel Injections Problems

JOE...... dont keep us in suspense. how are you getting on with your motors