Port Engine Quits - The Fun Never Ends


R

RDOBROSKI

New member
I cannot believe my luck this year. Last weekend we had the "incident" and lost throttles and steering, hit anchor, etc, you know the story. Well this weekend yet another setback. Headed out of marina to cruise to Annapolis and grab a mooring for the day. As I get under Bay Bridge, the low fuel alarm goes off, no biggie since Vessel View trips that alarm at a quarter tank, which really means I have about 40 gallons left in each tank. So, about 20 Min's later we get to Annapolis and I figure I'd better fill up. I make my way towards the fuel dock, get close, then use Axius to crab her in and boom I tried to put in reverse and I notice boat is not doing anything. I think to myself, not again. I looked down at vessel view and notice the starboard engine is running and the port quit. So I finish docking using the starboard engine only. So now I'm thinking did I run out of gas? Wishful thinking. I filled up both gas tanks, fire starboard engine and then try to fire the port. The port engine starts and then just quits, almost like it is not getting gas. Also, everytime it quits, you hear a loud rush of air. So, not wanting to limp back 16 miles, I called for a tow and got myself in rare condition. Amazing how much booze 4 people can consume when your taking a 3 hour ride back to your slip. Boat US Tow did an amazing job of putting boat back in slip without a scratch or any drama.

So any ideas on what the heck happened? Fuel Pump? Idle Air Controller? Here is a frustrating part, no codes were thrown in Vessel View/Smart Craft.
 
Update: Went back to marina today to retrieve my wife's car. So I decided to go ahead and see if the boat would start and listen to any sounds so when I talk with the tech I could describe what is going on. Well, GET THIS - that stupid port engine fired, no issue. You got to be kidding me. I turned it off and back on three times, it starts, no issue. ??? Someone give me an idea, please.
 
Maybe IAC.

I just went through that this week, the engine starts but dies in couple of seconds unless you advance the throttle.

Then, I also replaces the TPS because Smartcraft gave that error after I replaced the IAC and was out and had to go back to replace that as well.
 
I feel for you...

Frustrating that all his electronic stuff and we get no faults.

So, I think there are some threads about the IAC and the weird stuff it does, so it could still be that.

But I will throw out a simple idea...if you actually did run out of gas on that engine...the port it might make sense. As I am pretty sure the port tank feeds the generator. So if that is the case on your boat, the Port engine will for sure run out before the stbd.

So if you did run out, then often it takes a "while" to get everything really primed and full of fuel again. Not sure how many times you tried firing her up...but perhaps this is the case. Once again, if you did not run out of gas, then this idea is garbage...but hey you never know.
 
Thanks for the idea. I don't think I ran out of gas because when I filled her up the port tank only took 62 gallons of gas and tank is 90. Keep the ideas coming please.
 
Well, sounds like fuel was not empty.

Could be a fuel filter issue...meaning if you had a bit of crap floating around near the bottom of the tank, perhaps you picked it up? Maybe you should check the fuel filters...takes 5 minutes and easy to see. Might want to swap it if it looks a bit dirty.

If it was the IAC you should have gotten a code for sure...
 
OK guys, I am tempted to change the IAC on this bad boy and take a chance. Think that may cure it? I'm hoping my tech can show up this week, but if he can't, I'm thinking about throwing a part at it.
 
First off, I don't have an IAC like the mechanical engines do since my engine is electronic. Next, tech went down to the boat today and plugged in diagnostic equipment. No codes, nothing. He started boat, let her run for 20 mins in the slip and make sure it got hot. Still, nothing. Boat runs great and re-starts everytime. So, he is at a loss and called Merc. The factory rep at Merc told him it was probably a Vapor Lock. What????????Come on REALLY ::) My tech thinks this is bull, but we have nothing else to go on at this point. Thoughts?
 
Wow, vapor lock...it does happen, but since our boats all have cool fuel "chillers" for lack of a better word, I can't believe it is that.

HOWEVER, I guess anything is possible. My guess is still that PERHAPS since you were low on fuel, somehow maybe you got starvation for a moment, fuel injected engines hate that...now that you are back and primed all is well

You MIGHT want to check your fuel filter on that engine, simple cartridge to pull...see if any gunk is in it.

Other than that....clueless...
 
My manual shows an IAC muffler for the 496 ? Have they changed since 2008 engines ?

I would bet it's an electronic problem when engaging Axius that sent a signal obviously somewhere that caused the engine to die.
 
RDOBROSKI,
Like I said before call Tom @ Grande. I have 100% confidence that between Tom and BK they will find the problem. Just because you have a Mercruiser Tech doesn't mean he is any good. I have found that to be true in the past. Let him road test the boat under several load conditions not just in the slip. It could be a loose ground that only rough water will show.
 
Have you checked the port fuel tank pick-up in the port gas tank. Problems have been where the seal doesn't hold at the top of the pick up due to manufacturing defect and the fuel pump can literally suck air.....
 
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