Mac3
Petty Officer 2nd Class
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2008
- Messages
- 105
I have a 98 Johnson 150 ficht and have been battling a code 37 water in fuel for almost 2 years. The upside is that I can confidently handle the servicing on the engine now and am happy do do any maintenance. I had a pm from a member on the topic and after answering him I thought maybe this might be useful for others as well, here goes-
After 7 hours engine time last weekend I think I've finally tracked down the problem. Last year I managed to hunt down the mechanic who used to service my engine in Sydney, Aus, before I bought the boat 4 years ago. He told me it was a very common problem with this model and to check for moisture in the wiring connection to the ECM.
This is what I have done apart from that-
Drained the fuel tank, replaced the fuel filters, took the ECM out and dried it in the sun for a few days, checked the earth straps on all connections, drained the fuel again! All this did nought. I was reading about checking for ethanol in fuel and wondering because the ficht is pre ethanol whether it was picking up not just water but any contaminants. The test is simple, get a glass jar with a screw top and pour in about 80% fuel and 20% water. Give it a good shake and when the contents settle the water goes to the bottom, the fuel to the top and if you see anything in the middle like I did it's ethanol or crap in general, this astounded me.
Next I switched brands as the small town where I live only has one fill station and I have only ever shopped there. I also got a funnel with an in built water separator and on the weekend had enough of this in the tank that the alarm did not come on at all.
I had a reserve tank of fuel A on board and tipped that in and the alarm went off immediately.
So, after literally going around the world if you get a water in fuel alarm I can fairly confidently say that there is water in the fuel!!!! It is a common problem because crap fuel is common. I would say switching brands and using the water separating funnel have been the big steps forward. When I got home on the weekend as the tank was nearly empty I removed it and tipped it up, the dregs had maybe 3 cups of water in it, even after all I've done.
As a 2nd year back yard mechanic I humbly submit this for the experts' approval!
cheers
David
After 7 hours engine time last weekend I think I've finally tracked down the problem. Last year I managed to hunt down the mechanic who used to service my engine in Sydney, Aus, before I bought the boat 4 years ago. He told me it was a very common problem with this model and to check for moisture in the wiring connection to the ECM.
This is what I have done apart from that-
Drained the fuel tank, replaced the fuel filters, took the ECM out and dried it in the sun for a few days, checked the earth straps on all connections, drained the fuel again! All this did nought. I was reading about checking for ethanol in fuel and wondering because the ficht is pre ethanol whether it was picking up not just water but any contaminants. The test is simple, get a glass jar with a screw top and pour in about 80% fuel and 20% water. Give it a good shake and when the contents settle the water goes to the bottom, the fuel to the top and if you see anything in the middle like I did it's ethanol or crap in general, this astounded me.
Next I switched brands as the small town where I live only has one fill station and I have only ever shopped there. I also got a funnel with an in built water separator and on the weekend had enough of this in the tank that the alarm did not come on at all.
I had a reserve tank of fuel A on board and tipped that in and the alarm went off immediately.
So, after literally going around the world if you get a water in fuel alarm I can fairly confidently say that there is water in the fuel!!!! It is a common problem because crap fuel is common. I would say switching brands and using the water separating funnel have been the big steps forward. When I got home on the weekend as the tank was nearly empty I removed it and tipped it up, the dregs had maybe 3 cups of water in it, even after all I've done.
As a 2nd year back yard mechanic I humbly submit this for the experts' approval!
cheers
David
