Port and Starboard Engine fuel consumption different

S

steelheder

Member
Sep 1, 2009
40
Puget Sound
Boat Info
290 Sundancer 2000
Engines
Twin 5.7 EFI w/ Bravo 3's
I know that the Port or Starboard engine will consume different amounts of fuel but I'm wondering if mine are more than acceptable.
On plane at 3,300 rpms with medium load I'm doing 24 knots and using 8 gpm on Port engine and 11 gpm on Starboard. No noticable issues w/ anything, recent tune up and always been this way. Please tell me what you think or if you have a similar boat and what you burn.

Thanks, Russ.
 
That would drive me nuts.

If it were me I would pull a couple easy to get to plugs and compare how each engine was burning. If things looked good, then move on to the fuel flow sensors. Maybe swap to see if the problem would move to the other engine.
 
Do you have a generator?
 
No visible difference in plugs, both engines appear to be running great. 2 years of running with no change in flow rates. Both have been tuned, new plug wires, plugs, caps, rotors, oil, filter, fuel/H20 filter, drive gear lube, props look great, drives trimmed the same.

As for generator, yes I have one but this is real time running.

Thanks for the suggestions, Russ.
 
I agree with Ron - swap the sensors at this point. A 25% plus differential between the engines is big, especially for it to come on suddenly.
 
I have a differnce too but it's the port motor that burns more fuel. The differnence though is no where near yours. I'm like .5GPH difference at worst. I assumed this was because the port motor is actually running in reverse and not as efficient?
 
As Mike asked, what are you gauging this by (Floscan, Smartcraft indication)?
 
Using Lowrance LMF 400. Have not switched sensors but have recalibrated them. Guess I'll switch em and see what happens.

Russ.
 
I know you have inboards, but I would take a serious look at your props and have them reconditioned. Have a look here, I could not believe the difference made, and it corrected issues I had been chasing for over a year.

Props
 
I thought about having it done but just haven't yet. Think I will now and see if that does it. Thanks for the tip Pseudomind.

Russ.
 
Does one side run cooler than the other? a rich running engine runs cooler. A simple thermostat stuck open could also cause problems when not warmed up.
 
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