*Gen 3 Cool Fuel Module Issue*

So I am running into this same issue now as well. My tech informed me that Sea Ray was covering parts for this which includes (I think) pump cover, regulator, and injectors. Thankfully my labor is going to be covered by the aftermarket warranty I decided to buy at the last minute. As I know people love pictures here you go.

ITlFioK.jpg


GibW6Mu.jpg
 
For all the people with old gen cool fuel out there, I just got off the phone with MM.
Originally left the boat there for a lower unit oil leak fix under warranty (engine rebuilt), they told me that I have some bigger problems on both engines with the cool fuel modules.
Basically told me that my trip to Massachusetts will not happen this week end but to cheer me up mercruiser will pay for the parts including the injectors (Estimate 5k).
I find this really bizarre but hey! I 'll take it.
They will not cover the 6 hours + labor though.
Total use of the boat this summer 6 hours so far
 
While winterizing the boat this past fall i noticed that i had some corrosion and a leak on the raw water hose to my star cool fuel III mod. Since i have to replace my housing i'm wondering if i should replace the whole unit (pumps included). I've never had the paint delamination issue but i rather be proactive and avoid the issue all together. My question is; since Merc will only cover the cost for parts affected provided the work is done at an authorized shop. Should i just bring it in and have both modules replaced and pay for the labor? Also what should i expect as far as labor to have both done?
 
While winterizing the boat this past fall i noticed that i had some corrosion and a leak on the raw water hose to my star cool fuel III mod. Since i have to replace my housing i'm wondering if i should replace the whole unit (pumps included). I've never had the paint delamination issue but i rather be proactive and avoid the issue all together. My question is; since Merc will only cover the cost for parts affected provided the work is done at an authorized shop. Should i just bring it in and have both modules replaced and pay for the labor? Also what should i expect as far as labor to have both done?
I paid $600 per engine
 
While winterizing the boat this past fall i noticed that i had some corrosion and a leak on the raw water hose to my star cool fuel III mod. Since i have to replace my housing i'm wondering if i should replace the whole unit (pumps included). I've never had the paint delamination issue but i rather be proactive and avoid the issue all together. My question is; since Merc will only cover the cost for parts affected provided the work is done at an authorized shop. Should i just bring it in and have both modules replaced and pay for the labor? Also what should i expect as far as labor to have both done?
I changed mine myself. Took me 1.5 hrs to do it with no prior experience and poor access. So I would think $200 each would be fair at normal rates.
 
Are you certain that parts are provided at no charge courtesy of Mercruiser? There was no official recall, only a "service bulletin" and I'm guessing the statute of limitations has run out on them "unofficially" giving out replacement fuel coolers at no charge. CF3 is probably 10 years old at this point. CF4 modules are around $1000.00 each. I replaced both of mine in the past 3 years, fully on my dime and with my sweat and bleeding knuckles ;-)

Just read the prior post. Fouled injectors. That might be grounds for them paying. But just a crusty old CF3 I'm guessing no. But who knows. Pls let us know how that goes! And good luck!
 
Last edited:
Ron, good point. I called Merc this week and explained my issue with the corrosion and leak. I had them confirm I had the cf3 affected by the paint issue and the rep said only way to get replacement parts covered by Merc was via an authorized repair shop. I'm going pay a visit to my local shop and see what they tell me. I'm sure they will have to submit some kind of claim to see if it gets approved or denied.
 
Darn, $2k too late for me, but wish I had called them. Everything I read at that time said they were no longer helping out with this replacement. Hope it works out for you!
 
I had this done week before last. It was through my marina, a certified mercruiser shop, and cost a total of $1,300.00 for the labor. I did both engines and they replaced the cf3 unit, fuel rails and all the injectors. Mercruiser provided all the parts at no cost so obviously this is still a valid TSB for the boats covered in the bulletin.
 
I had this done week before last. It was through my marina, a certified mercruiser shop, and cost a total of $1,300.00 for the labor. I did both engines and they replaced the cf3 unit, fuel rails and all the injectors. Mercruiser provided all the parts at no cost so obviously this is still a valid TSB for the boats covered in the bulletin.

I had this same work done on my 2009 330DA this past summer through my Marine Max dealer. I paid the labor and MerCruiser paid for all the parts. I thought that was a pretty reasonable way for MerCruiser to handle it, given the circumstances.
 
Seems like in cases of injector damage, they paid for parts. A guy in my marina with a Monterrey was able to get all the parts. I never had any injector issues but it would have been interesting to see if they'd have provided the CF4 modules gratis.
 
Did Mercury provide replacement fuel coolers? On our last boat we had 8.1 with the paint issue on the coolers and all they would do is provide a new cap and a regulator. In 2013 Mercury told me to blame the problem on the government and ethanol not their poor design that had paint on the inside of the fuel coolers.

I was appalled by their lack of concern for the consumer. I am done with them. We will never buy another Mercury powered boat again! There are better engines that their competitors produce.
 
^^^^ That's the story I'm more accustomed to hearing. That's why I didn't even bother calling them.
 
So it seems seems unless i'm having issues with the fuel rails i'm on my own. I wondering and wanted to hear some thoughts on this. The only reason i'm touching the CF3 is because the raw water fitting is leaking. I can pick up a replacement lower housing for less than $500. Which has the tapped fittings which should resolve the leak issue. I wondering if i crack her open and don't see any signs of paint delamination if its easy to just swap out he housing and call it a day. I believe the new housing is the new non painted design as well.
 
You should be able to swap out all those parts from the old to the new. But be sure to swap out ALL of them. There's a funky spring-loaded checkvalve somewhere on the side of the little lunchbox thing that I forgot about and I couldn't get the damn unit to function. I took it of 15x and ran both pumps on my car battery to make sure they were functioning, until I realized I had left this gadget out.
 
So it seems seems unless i'm having issues with the fuel rails i'm on my own. I wondering and wanted to hear some thoughts on this. The only reason i'm touching the CF3 is because the raw water fitting is leaking. I can pick up a replacement lower housing for less than $500. Which has the tapped fittings which should resolve the leak issue. I wondering if i crack her open and don't see any signs of paint delamination if its easy to just swap out he housing and call it a day. I believe the new housing is the new non painted design as well.
When we did the swap they didn’t change the lower housing. The issue wasn’t the lower part it was the lid as far as the paint problem. But if you take that regulator off the top and see black you have the issue.
 
Currently in the engine room and I can’t seem to figure out how to remove the fuel line on the engine side from the module. I’ve already removed the hex screw which seems to be holding it. Anything else I need to do?
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,950
Messages
1,422,890
Members
60,933
Latest member
juliediane
Back
Top