Cool fuel 3 upgrade has launch date delayed

boatrboy

Well-Known Member
Oct 3, 2006
1,839
Orange, CT
Boat Info
2006 340 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 8.1 Horizons with V-Drives
I am so frustrated. Last year I spent so much time finding a dealer who knew about the upgrade and was willing to do it. I finally found one who stated they could perform the upgrade over the winter. I had to store the boat there so it could be a winter project for them. They are close to my home so I thought this was a win-win. It was authorized by Mercruiser to the dealer in October.
The dealer received new all fuel injectors in November or so and installed them while they were slow. They had been given a date of December for the fuel pump parts.
Then the update was January, then Mid March, Now they show shipping May 26th.
I called Mercruiser myself and talked to a very understanding tech, but he states this is a supply issue not a dealer issue. He checked with his manager and called me back to assure me I (my repairing authorized dealer) was on the priority list, but no firm dates are available. The dealer and I talk every couple of weeks but he has no better dates. We discussed we can’t even start the motors with all new injectors without fixing the pumps.

Just letting off steam - thinking if the May date is close, I probably won’t hit the water til end of June. Every time a read a splash thread I’m getting more frustrated with my situation.
 
It seems to me the CoolFuel thing was a complete technical flop or maybe the decision to move on with the system was from Corp Squeeze.
Who in their right mind would cast a raw water component from aluminum rather than bronze? And apply a coating in the fuel circuit after the final filter?? Mercury should have round-filed the concept and developed a return system to the fuel tank. It's sad you got run over by the ever-present supply chain issues.
 
Can they at least launch the boat and put you in a slip? Maybe you can at least enjoy it as a floating condo for a bit as you wait?
 
Can they at least launch the boat and put you in a slip? Maybe you can at least enjoy it as a floating condo for a bit as you wait?
Unfortunately my home port slip is not where the boat is wintered.
 
My mechanic has my new fuel injectors(16) sitting and waiting for my two COOL UNITS since last June. Launch and use your boat but do like I've been doing since last year which is change the fuel filters often. I changed my filters several times last season just to keep the boat running nicer.
 
My mechanic has my new fuel injectors(16) sitting and waiting for my two COOL UNITS since last June. Launch and use your boat but do like I've been doing since last year which is change the fuel filters often. I changed my filters several times last season just to keep the boat running nicer.
In my case that’s not that practical. They already installed the new fuel injectors I would have to pay them to put the old ones back on since no way will they run it with the current set up and warranty it. From my understanding , it seems the filters won’t help catch all the chips.
Now I wish they waited to install the injectors as the boat always ran great, but I did see chips, hence the push to get this done. Funny, at the time I was so happy they started on it early.

Plus, in my other posts I talk about replacing circulating pumps, rebuilding water pumps, thermostats, hoses, alternators, repainting brackets and pulleys. To do all of this I removed the mufflers and their mounting plates. This made getting to everything for me easier, and also made the fuel pumps easy to access. The mechanics know I’ll re-install them after they are done.
 
Thanks Brite - I have seen these guys and read everything about them. And while I did not talk to the dealer about this, I’m pretty sure he will only install Mercruiser approved parts. You probably already know but Mercruiser is providing all the parts at no cost to me, but I have to pay for labor. The dealer is out his labor for now, and will bill me when complete. Of course that is when we first started. I’m guessing they will want partial payment but they have not asked for it. if I go your route, I’m not sure they will back up their work. I will be talking to the dealer to get an update a a couple of weeks and ask about options.
 
Getting closer!
After receiving a letter from The Executive Vice President of Global Services asking me for feedback on the recent service, I decided to call her. (Yes folks I know it’s a form letter). It basically states hoping you were stress free etc.
Well that set me into orbit and I insisted on talking to her regarding the letter. Well I was not put through, but the rep who I talked to was very understanding. I asked if I could just get the entire pump assembly and we could move on.
My dealer called me the next day saying parts shipped and they got an apology from Mercruiser for taking so long. The tech I spoke to also called me personally the next day to tell me parts shipped.

So now I wait for the dealer to install complete pumps. They started today. Hoping they do a good job!

So frustrating I had to make so many calls and offer a suggestion for resolution. I’ll update after I get the boat back.
 
So here we are almost a month later and we are still not in the water. The marina was busy with spring activities so they had to “fit” me in a few hours at a time. They finished a week or two ago but now the detailer is delayed. This is crazy. So frustrated reading about all you guys in the water already. Supposedly tomorrow the detailer arrives and sometime this week they will launch and test everything. I am so hoping I can bring the boat to my marina this weekend.
 
Final update (hopefully)
The dealer launched boat yesterday after detailer finished polishing the blue hull sides. They performed what they call “commissioning” the motors and did a sea trial. They emailed me and stated the boat ran great and was ready for pickup.
Today I took her to my dock about 45 minutes away on a rainy day. I was lucky that the minute I hit the harbor the rain stopped. It was a great ride and more importantly the boat did run great. About a mile out from my dock I ran a short distance at wot to make sure she would get there. All seems good.

I’m glad I had the patience to work with a marina and get these parts. At this point I am a happy camper:).
IMG_4320.jpeg
 

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