Port engine and generator quit running

Southernpearl

New Member
Apr 12, 2021
7
Boat Info
2006 sundancer 290
Engines
Twin 5.0
Hi all. Had boat right at a month, passed survey flying colors. Low hours on motors. After running well all day the port engine suddenly died at idle in a lengthy no wake zone (800 rpm for 20 minutes or so). Coincidentally the generator shut off nearly exact same time. Gen started right back up and runs fine. Port motor try’s to start just won’t quite keep going. Almost sounds like fuel problem to me. Limped her back to my dry storage area where local mechanic is backed up few weeks. Any suggestions would be helpful. Btw 5.0 efi
 
You should have an MPI, not an EFI - different fuel injection system - which means the idle air controller comes into play... possibly. But since it happend to the engine and the genny, that would be a very unlikely coincidence.

Will the port motor start by itself - meaning, without the genny and stbd already running?

Siphon some gas out of the fuel water separator (from the bottom) into a glass jar and let it sit for a while. Observe. Also inspect the two filters in the FW sep. How full was the FW sep canister? It should be mostly full.

Could be an obstruction in the pickup. But I think the stbd and genny pull off the same pickup in the tank? Verify.

Could be a failing fuel line (internally).

Check fuel pressure.

Try hooking a portable tank directly to the port engine.
 
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Thanks Lazy. Will go try all your suggestions tomorrow. The port engine wouldn’t start with starboard or genny off in any configuration. It tries to fire off just can’t seem to get over the hump. And correct MPI
 
How long was the boat dormant before you bought it?
Sounds like possible phase separation of the fuel.
Had it happen to a friend that bought a boat that sat for 2 years.
The sea trial went great but the fuel system ingested that garbage on the ride to his home port.
...
I'm making the assumption that you are still running on the fuel that was in the tanks when you bought it - is that correct?

If it is phase separated fuel, you may not be far away from ingesting it in to the starboard engine.
 
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It sat roughly 4 months. And not really the old fuel it was nearly empty when went on sea trial. Put 110 gal in for the trial. Also topped off with 50 gal 2 weekends ago. Added stabil 360 as well.
 
Try starting the engine with starting fluid to verify if it is a fuel problem.
Check to see if the genny and port engine are on the same starting battery. Low battery voltage may be a factor..

Finally, I have not seen a set up where the genny and engines use the same fuel pick up. Usually the genny fuel pick up protrudes less into the fuel tank to avoid running out of gas for the engines.
 
It sat roughly 4 months. And not really the old fuel it was nearly empty when went on sea trial. Put 110 gal in for the trial. Also topped off with 50 gal 2 weekends ago. Added stabil 360 as well.

Highly doubtful is a phase separation issue given what you mentioned.
For what its worth, if the fuel has phase separated, stabil cant help.

Whatever this issue is, hopefully you can take care of it quickly and on the cheap!
Welcome to CSR!
 
Is this what your tank setup looks like?

upload_2021-4-13_8-37-34.png
 
Good possibility could be the electronic fuel valve as shown in Phil's diagram. I see they have a manual override knob... it would be easy to prove/disprove with that.
 
Maybe the generator stopping is a red herring, and just coincidence? Is the fuel pump coming on and energized when you turn it to the on position? Fuel Pump relay (and harness) are known issues on (at least for me they are/were) 06 5.7L MPI that I have, maybe the same for your 5.0?
 
Yes that’s the setup found same diagram after some research. Also noticed the electric valves which do have the manual override so that is going to be first thing I try. Wanted to go work on it this afternoon but we have some weather moving in so may need to postpone. Have a list of things to try thanks to this forum. Will post results whenever I get a chance to go through them.
 
Yes that’s the setup found same diagram after some research. Also noticed the electric valves which do have the manual override so that is going to be first thing I try. Wanted to go work on it this afternoon but we have some weather moving in so may need to postpone. Have a list of things to try thanks to this forum. Will post results whenever I get a chance to go through them.
 
Hey gents. Following up. Had several raining days but here’s the latest. Went through everything mentioned in this thread and found nothing obvious. Put in water and the motor fired right up and ran fine. Just my luck lol. Maybe there’s a loose connection in one of the harnesses? I don’t know. Got a 200 mile trip planned weekend after next so going run it time or 2 before then.
 

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