Vapor Lock 215 EC 5.0L efi

[Lazy Days]

2000 215 EC 5.0L EFI

After running for hours I will get to the ramp, pull the boat out and proceede to flush motor. Motor runs for 3 minutes or so then stall. Won't startagain. I get home and try an hour later and it runs fine while flushing for 20 minutes or so. It has happened 4 or five times now. Marnie Max Pompano Beach FL, thinks it is vapor lock and wants to put a booster pump on it for about 650.00 but no guarantee. A long term marine mechanic said to get a carter high performance fuel pump and put it inline. Has anyone herd this or done this? Marine Max said they actually put them on new boats because it eventually happens. It has never happened before this year and I can't figure why its happening now.

 

[sotaman]

I own a 1996 27' Sundance with 7.4 Merc cruiser, Bravo 3 drive. I have had a similar problem while on the water. Runs fine, but when I shut her off, she'll start and then konk out. I have to wait for about 1/2 an hour before she starts again. My mechanic told me it was most likely vapor lock. He said the same thing about the extra high pressure fuel pump, but he said he would try insulating the lines and the existing pump on the engine 1st to see if there is any improvement which I will do before spending $600 on a non guaranteed fix. Is your engine running hot? Mine was.

 

[Lazy Days]

The engine runs at a steady 165 degrees. Has never overheated. Took it out Saturday for about 5 hours of fishing, on the way back in I was at a hair above idle speed then had to back off then when I went for more throttle it kinda bogged. I will most likely put the pump in.

 

[roadkingh1]

I have a 370 sundancer, its a 97 model. I have twin 7.4mpi engines. I had the same experience last summer with my starboard engine after a long day by the beach with the generator running, that after cranking her up she will stall unless I let it idle for about 10 minutes then she will crank. The port side doesn't do that. I think the reason for that is that the the fuel pump and cooler is on the left side (starboard side)of the starboard engine and that it is inbetween the engine and generator that has been running all day. Last winter I pull out SR's cheap blowers and put in continues blowers which I can run all day and not get hot. It seem to work for a while, but down here in Covington, La it gets hot! Waters around starts to get warm and that water passes though the fuel cooler(raw water cooling)and that doesn't help.May have to set up some sort of blower that will blow across the cooler to cool it down somewhat.

 

[roadkingh1]

I have a 370 sundancer, its a 97 model. I have twin 7.4mpi engines. I had the same experience last summer with my starboard engine after a long day by the beach with the generator running, that after cranking her up she will stall unless I let it idle for about 10 minutes then she will crank. The port side doesn't do that. I think the reason for that is that the the fuel pump and cooler is on the left side (starboard side)of the starboard engine and that it is inbetween the engine and generator that has been running all day. Last winter I pull out SR's cheap blowers and put in continues blowers which I can run all day and not get hot. It seem to work for a while, but down here in Covington, La it gets hot! Waters around starts to get warm and that water passes though the fuel cooler(raw water cooling)and that doesn't help.May have to set up some sort of blower that will blow across the cooler to cool it down somewhat.

 

[Sman0624]

I have a 215 EC with the 5.7L and had a similar issue. It ran fine cold but when she warmed up it would sputter, backfire and lose power until finally stalling. After all the basics (fuel separator, tune up, anti-syphone valve) I had my electric fuel pump checked. I found that after the pump ran for about 30 minutes or so the pressure dropped off drastically. I ended up replacing the pump and the issue has never occurred again.

Good luck to you!

 

[Lazy Days]

Sman0624, do you remember what it cost to replace the pump and did it come with the cooler? Again Marine Max said they would put a Fuel pump kit in. I did consider the original might be going but they made it sound like just vapor lock.

Thanks for all your responses everyone.

 

[Uplate]

this problem can also be caused by running winter blend gas in warmer temps. Gasoline blends are seasonal, which is why my mechanic suggests never running winter gas when the weather warms up. He has told me many stories of vapor lock/percolation of winter fuels causing just what you describe.

FWIW

 

[Sman0624]

Sman0624, do you remember what it cost to replace the pump and did it come with the cooler? Again Marine Max said they would put a Fuel pump kit in. I did consider the original might be going but they made it sound like just vapor lock.

Thanks for all your responses everyone.

I had the work done so it cost me a bit more than if I had done it myself but parts and labor set me back about $650. It came as a kit including the cooler. A bit of a pain to access and I suppose that if I had a little more free time then I would have done this repair myself but having a new baby in the house doesn't always give me the free time that I used to have.

Attached is a link for the 5.7L EFI fuel cooler / pump. http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...=2338&bnbr=90&bdesc=FUEL+PUMP+AND+FUEL+COOLER

This link will take you to the engine model selection and then you can look for the fuel pump link. http://www.mercruiserparts.com/selectModels3.asp?type_id=8

Good luck with the repair!

 

[Lazy Days]

Thanks again

 

[flflatrate]

lazy days, it doesn't sound like your problem is the same as sman. yours sounds like a vapor lock, his sounded like the fuel pump and cooler kit he installed.