Hi pressure fuel pump leak

[USMC(ret)]

might as well replace them both while you're there. With the stbd engine out, it shouldn't be all that bad to replace the port engine's pump w/o removing the engine.

I can appreciate that - but it appears the pump is working & the o-rings may have failed?

Although... it's possible that this fuel STARTED to leak while you were still using the boat

That’s likely. I’ve run out of fuel twice now & both times was the starboard engine - luckily both times were within single engine motoring distance to a fuel slip. I’ve learned that each engine burns fuel from their respective tank & never do the two cross-feed. The last time on her was the 1st time I recall a strong smell of fuel. I assumed it was because I had just fueled the tanks. I believe this pump has been leaking & this last outing was the run that blew it out but good (or bad, as the case may be).

 

[Bill Curtis]

Soooooo lucky there wasn't a kaboom.

 

[Lazy Daze]

I can appreciate that - but it appears the pump is working & the o-rings may have failed?

Oh, right, I forgot you just metnioned that. I can appreciate not wanting to spend money unneccesarily. And it's easy for me to spend your money Maybe you just repalce the o-rings in the other pump? The "thought" is that if one went, the other may not be far behind. But there's no "science" to that - the other one might just be fine for many years, still.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Future reference... Even after filling, there shouldn't be a noticeable fuel smell after filling up. If there is, something is wrong. At that point, do not turn anything on OR off. Get everyone off the boat and then figure out a plan from there.

 

[USMC(ret)]

AS valve... if you're looking through engine diagrams you won't find it. It's part of the "boat", not the engine.

However, look at your fuel line as it leaves the tank. You should find a cylindrical device with a electrical connection that's pretty right on the tank or within a few inches of the tank. That's your AS valve. This should be in your boat's owner's manual.

I believe I’ve found it

 

[techmitch]

That little screw on the front may be turned to the bypass/always on mode.
That would explain the drain back when the leak started and the subsequent 30 gals of fuel in the bilge.

 

[techmitch]

Maybe yours failed and the P.O. switched it on and never repaired/replaced it.

Parker Skinner Fuel Solenoid Manual Overide

One of the features of the Parker / Skinner solenoid valve used on gasoline boats is often misunderstood when troubleshooting a fuel system. My hope is to illustrate where specific features are on the valve, and how to "manually overide" in the event the coil fails, or you suspect there is no...

clubsearay.com

 

[Lazy Daze]

I believe I’ve found it

Yup - you got it!

Here - this was quicker than me typing... most things are!

Parker Skinner Fuel Solenoid Manual Overide

One of the features of the Parker / Skinner solenoid valve used on gasoline boats is often misunderstood when troubleshooting a fuel system. My hope is to illustrate where specific features are on the valve, and how to "manually overide" in the event the coil fails, or you suspect there is no...

clubsearay.com

 

[USMC(ret)]

Maybe yours failed and the P.O. switched it on and never repaired/replaced it.

Parker Skinner Fuel Solenoid Manual Overide

One of the features of the Parker / Skinner solenoid valve used on gasoline boats is often misunderstood when troubleshooting a fuel system. My hope is to illustrate where specific features are on the valve, and how to "manually overide" in the event the coil fails, or you suspect there is no...

clubsearay.com

Yup - you got it!

Here - this was quicker than me typing... most things are!

Parker Skinner Fuel Solenoid Manual Overide

One of the features of the Parker / Skinner solenoid valve used on gasoline boats is often misunderstood when troubleshooting a fuel system. My hope is to illustrate where specific features are on the valve, and how to "manually overide" in the event the coil fails, or you suspect there is no...

clubsearay.com

Thanks, gents
Very helpful!

 

[Lazy Daze]

OK, that is TOO funny! I didn't see Mitch's response to you where he posted the link... and we ended up both linking to the SAME previous CSR post! But he did beat me to the punch...

 

[PlayDate]

I have never seen a fuel leak like that.

As an open question: Has any other CSR member had their pump leak like that?

I would really like to see what happened to that pump. Again @USMC(ret) you must have done a lot of good things in your life! Pressurized fuel is extraordinarily dangerous because it is the vapor that ignites.

I do think that it would be worthwhile to reach out to Mercruiser with this video and what is found when the pump is removed. I'm sure they would be interested as well. Better to sort it out now than in a courtroom.

 

[USMC(ret)]

Again @USMC(ret) you must have done a lot of good things in your life!

I like to think the scales have tipped in my favor more often than not. One day my luck will run out - just glad it hasn’t happened yet. Talking to my friend last night about the “what if” on the trip we made up from Miami, it’s not lost on us that we finished that just 2h (on the tac) before this reared its head. I’ve told him when he does finally go, he won’t be getting a core return on his body (we’ve taken plenty of calculated risks & adventures). Also like another member noted: the last outing was the 1st with my kids. No one wants to think of any harm coming to their children.

I believe the o-rings on the elbow shown on the parts diagram in a previous post of mine have failed - I’ll follow up here when a conclusive factor is determined.

I just wanted the seawater pump fixed, belt replaced & engine oil/filters serviced. Certainly glad this was found in the yard & not outside the Marina.

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

As already mentioned, you have the older style cool fuel unit. Same as my last two boats had. Compared to the newer units, yours is very simple, robust, and usually trouble free. I've seen more issues with multiple replacement pumps failing (seizing) than anything.

One thing to consider is that the pump on the cooler is the "high pressure" pump. There will be a low pressure pump on the other side of the engine near the fuel filter. The two pumps look identical, but closer inspection reveals that the low pressure one has a threaded output end while the high pressure has no threads, but has a connector that seals using o-rings. I would consider removing/replacing the connector/o-rings before getting a new unit and leave the unaffected engine as is personally.

 

[ttmott]

The hazards aside, what's an interesting question to me is how much time did it take to accumulate such a large quantity of fuel in the bilge and did the bilge pump come on to move some of that fuel overboard? I'm curious because such a large leak on the high pressure side (45 PSIG) would cause the engine to run very poorly if at all. Conversely, a leak from the low pressure lift pump (6 PSIG) to the CF module might cause such an issue but still time is the key.

 

[USMC(ret)]

The hazards aside, what's an interesting question to me is how much time did it take to accumulate such a large quantity of fuel in the bilge and did the bilge pump come on to move some of that fuel overboard? I'm curious because such a large leak on the high pressure side (45 PSIG) would cause the engine to run very poorly if at all. Conversely, a leak from the low pressure lift pump (6 PSIG) to the CF module might cause such an issue but still time is the key.

The boat was hauled out on the 19th & that video was taken on the 28th (9days later). I would hope someone at the yard would call me if fuel was seen coming from my bilge in the rack (esp since the manager has my number in his phone), but I did ask & was told nothing was seen until the hatch was opened. I’m sure since the boat was just sitting, whatever accumulated came from gravity past the failed o-rings (or cracked fitting - remains to be seen). I’ll be specifically asking for the anti siphon valves to be checked for proper position & function or check them myself before I call this good.

I did have trouble starting the starboard engine after filling up, but I assumed it was because that engine ran that tank empty. Then the squealing belt & frozen seawater pump. Again - glad this happened at the marina.

 

[Lazy Daze]

To TT's point, it's conceivable that you were already pumping fuel overboard while operating the boat. You just may not have realized that the bilge pump was pumping. At this point, it's a moot point, though.

 

[USMC(ret)]

it's conceivable that you were already pumping fuel overboard while operating the boat.

I believe that’s true - the last outing just pushed that failure to the point it currently is.

 

[USMC(ret)]

got an update today…

Aaaand people haven’t failed to disappoint me. From the service manager, “We got the motor out and found the issue with the fuel pump. Holder was broken and someone tried to fix it with zip ties.”

So stand down the safety notice - this is just normal fuckery by someone in the past

 

[PlayDate]

Wow.....I would definitely check the other side. Are the holders still available?

 

[USMC(ret)]

Wow.....I would definitely check the other side. Are the holders still available?

Don’t know - but imagine some stainless fab work could be done to make another?

Whatever the shop comes up with - I’m sure will be better than friggin’ zip ties. I wouldn’t be opposed to using the bracket from another cool fuel unit & keep the other parts as spares.