98 405 Port Engine Will Not Start

[Serendipity]

Hello guys,

So I finally get the boat out and stretched her legs yesterday. Running along at 3600 rpms at 20 mph actually heading back to the slip and my siren goes off? And both engines it appeared died, but maybe just the port size becauseithappened so fast. Regardless I shut both of them off.

Checking the gauges, starboard engine was fine and started back up, port had died and would not restart.

Oil levels were fine yesterday and today at the full mark. Engines temps were normal at 175-180 range.

I got fuel yesterday but only 50 gallons per each side. We had been out for 3 or 4 hours on this fuel.

I dropped anchor and cleaned the strainers where she died. They were pretty much clean:) as I am on a freshwater 30,000 acres lake.

I replaced the water separator- fuel filter this morning. I have not checked to see if the fuel pump was pumping as of yet though. I ran the generator for an hour this morning and left to go get a fuel filter wrench.

Upon my return, the generator will not run now. It just starts and then dies. Typical 10k Koehler Generator that came on the boats with a new carburetor on it. Like I said it ran for an hour this morning.

So I swapped tanks and tried starting both the generator and port engine from the aft tank. Still no success and I looked on the forum but didn't see anything in my searches.

Other than the fuel pump for the port engine, is there anything ya would try in sequence?
Engines are the typical 7.4 MPI 454 Chevy engines.

I can take the fuel pump hose off I presume to check to see if the fuel pump is working, but if it is, then what?

And would this cause the generator and port engine not to run even though it ran this morning.

Out gasoline station is on the water and checked every couple weeks by the owner who I am good friends with.
I really do not think it is the gas though.

Thanks for everything as always

[bud37]

Take the genny fuel filter off and dump it into a clear container and see what you get.....same with the big engines.....fresh filters and fill them with known fresh fuel before installing them.

If you get bad gas or water in the system it may take a bit to clear it. Just make sure it is not the gas...but that is the last thing you did right.....

[Cooler]

Is the genny running off the port tank? It almost sounds like you are out of gas in the port tank, or low enough that the engine will not start. You probably burned through the 100 gals. at least if were were out for 4 hours. How much gas were in the tanks when you added the 100 gals.? The alarm was probably the port engine shutting down and producing no oil pressure. It is not unusual for engines to burn more gas on one side, so the starboard side could be a little more efficient. Is the port engine turning over, or is there a possibility your wake pushed some water into your exhaust when you slowed down and aqua locked the engine? Good luck. er

[g36]

A couple questions. Are these crusader engines? Or mercruiser? My 405 is crusader 454 tbi not mpi. If it is do you know that you have 3 filters per engine,? And do you know they're location,? If you have the round oberg filter it can easily clog. Also my genset is only port and stbd fuel select from main tanks in engine bay not aft tanks. The filter is a very small inline for fuel and easily changed .

[Viper]

Ya the brand is important to know here as each has different/proprietary hardware.

I've also yet to see the option to select aft aux tanks for generator operation that was factory installed. I've seen aftermarket installs but not factory. Wonder if that option was available from factory.

[tomschauer]

at 3600 rpm's for a couple hours I'm sure you ran through that gas, unless you just topped off the tanks. Do your fuel gauges work?

[Serendipity]

Okay updates,
The engines are Mercruiser V8 Bluewater Inboards labeled on the top. Inboards naturally but that is the label as shown.

I am on a land locked reservoir of about 30000 acres. I can go from the top to bottom or side to side of the reservoir in 5 to 7 minutes my estimate at 20 mph.

So at no point can I run for longer than 7 minutes at 20 mph unless I do circles. Boat really is too big for my area but hindsight is 20/20. My average speed is 5 to 10mph and my fuel gauge which has been working properly so far shows 3/4 of tank. I have a 1/4 in the aft trying not to cause the back to sit down to low.
As we have discussed in the pass, I averaged 29 gph on my trip from Texas to Mississippi running on average 8 hours per day. I had 2 days down waiting an impeller.

Boat runs and it runs great generally. This is only my 2nd trip out since last July 4th. I don't think I got water from the station but maybe some formed over the last few months from condensation in the tanks. I understand some people keep them low while others top them off.

I did replace the water separator on the port engine, but I didn't have a clear jar to look at the fuel in it. I ordered some OX Fuel Demulsifier to put in all 3 tanks. $75 for 16 ounces so the stuff should work. Company says this will treat 1250 gallons so it must be potent stuff.

I wasn't full throttle when it died, and it was a windy day. Not enough to auqawash or hydrolock I dont think.

I will take pics of my fuel line setups, valves so we all have another bit of knowledge on the various fuel line arrangements.

It appears there are 3 valves? By the genny it says port or aft I believe and off and off.
The other 2 say port or starboard if I remember correctly.

I am not aware of 3 filters? Just the water separators.

Thanks and I am letting her sit for a few days in our 85 heat if water did get to the plugs.

[Serendipity]

I am learning quickly my 25 years of being a automotive service manager, technician doesn't mean squat regarding boat engines. Lol

If it were a car, I would say fuel pump first, then a clogged filter or line somewhere. It really ran great for the first 2 or 3 hours of the afternoon. Fuel did come from separate tanks at the dock I filled up for the port and starboard side. So it is possible but probably not probable for water from the station.
Just to be running strong for 2 minutes at 3600 rpms and then die all of the sudden like I turned the key off literally.

On another topic have ya noticed the prices going up? 80k up north where they had some for 65k-70k last year to 97k to 125k down here in the South currently for 97 model 405's. This should be good for all of us who own a Carver.
Supply and demand gents

[Serendipity]

So I am only 10-15 minutes from my boat. Here are the fuel selector valve pics I promised. I also took a pic of the water separator and the fuel that came out of the filter. It appears it has a little sediment in the bottom but unless ya see something I don't. I am not seeing any water really.

Tried starting it for the first time since Monday and it spins over but acts like it is not getting fuel. Starboard engine fires up and runs fine. Oil pressure gauge will go up slightly on the port engine when I am turning it over, so it appears compression is okay. It just continues to spin over and over.

Where is the fuel pump located and is that the next logical step? I would like to see if it is pumping or not. Are there others filters I need to look at replacing other than the one I already replaced?

Other than a little dust the engine appears clean. Bottom and top risers were replaced just before I bought the boat.

Any suggestions or ideas are greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Viper]

Was the fuel filter full of fuel when you took it out or just partially full?

When you turn the key to the ON (only) position, can you hear the fuel pump running for a few seconds?

Look for the schrader on the fuel rail. After the pump cycles in the key ON position, key OFF and depress the nipple in the schrader valve. If the pump is pumping, you will get fuel released under pressure through the valve.

Post the engine serial number. If I get a chance before the weekend, I'll look at what you have.