Won't start after out-of-fuel

[Grahamc]

I ran my Sunsetter out-of-gas 10 days ago, it began running very rough and then died completely. I put gas in it, now it just won't catch.

Other than potentially blogging the filter, are there a set of steps I need to take to prime the fuel system after being a dumbass and running it dry?

Any help would be great. It is 104 degrees in Seattle and I need to get on the water!

Thanks.

[luvtheBU]

I hope I describe this right if not just tell me and I'll have my hubby tell me again. We have a 94 Malibu Echelon with EFI, I had barely 5 gallons of gas in her when I filled her to the top, but it was hotter than heck that day and somehow air got in the lines, it even has a vapor pump. So anyways all it would do was turn over and over but not catch at all. Hubby unscrewed fuel line going into vapor tank fuel ran out fine, then he cracked open the return line and air bubbles each time after cracking it open he'd try to start her back up and finally he worked the air out of the system. Now she starts like a champ. I don't know how it got air in there but it did, my only guess was that my tank was sooo empty and it was really hot that day when I topped it off. I hope you get it going I heard on the news how hot it is there, it's been cool in MT the last week. Good Luck.

[Green_Giant]

Assuming you have Fuel Injection, I'd cycle the fuel pump a bunch of times without even trying to crank the motor. When you move one click to the right on the ignition, the gauges fire up and the fuel pump runs for a few seconds, then stops (if the boat isn't running). Click it on, wait a few seconds, then back to off, on, few seconds, back to off, etc etc. You should be able to hear the fuel pump working with the engine hatch up.

If you have a carb, those usually have a mechanical pump, I used to dump a little fuel down the throat of the carb & keep cranking. :-) (this is probably not orthodox so don't flame me)

I'd also make sure the tank was good and full to get as much gravity as possible working in your favor.

I had similar problems with my mustang's fuel pump priming if I ran it out because it was a high pressure pump for fuel injection that didn't really suck from the tank.

Edited July 30, 2009 by Green_Giant

[Grahamc]

Assuming you have Fuel Injection, I'd cycle the fuel pump a bunch of times without even trying to crank the motor. When you move one click to the right on the ignition, the gauges fire up and the fuel pump runs for a few seconds, then stops (if the boat isn't running). Click it on, wait a few seconds, then back to off, on, few seconds, back to off, etc etc. You should be able to hear the fuel pump working with the engine hatch up.

If you have a carb, those usually have a mechanical pump, I used to dump a little fuel down the throat of the carb & keep cranking. :-) (this is probably not orthodox so don't flame me)

I'd also make sure the tank was good and full to get as much gravity as possible working in your favor.

I had similar problems with my mustang's fuel pump priming if I ran it out because it was a high pressure pump for fuel injection that didn't really suck from the tank.

It is injection and I just got the same advice from the guy at the boat shop. Thanks. I guess if the pump is broken I won't here it cycle.

[k_b_stephens]

Sounds like air in the line. Friend of mine ran his Centurion out of gas last weekend and it did the same thing, ran rough and would die. A buddy of mine, JimW here on the Crew, said to look for the air pressure release valve. Found it under the throttle body cover, releases the air in the line and the boat cranked right up. Look for a tire value around your throttle body/carb.

Always learning something new with these dang boats

[Grahamc]

OK we found the problem.

A small brass screw under the ignition had vibrated free and left a few wires disconnected. The engine was still turning over, but not catching. The mechanic didn't really know what the wires were but connected them up an the boat ran good as new. It might be that the boat didn't even run out of gas in the first place.

All I know is that I am out this weekend!

[Ndawg12]

OK we found the problem.

A small brass screw under the ignition had vibrated free and left a few wires disconnected. The engine was still turning over, but not catching. The mechanic didn't really know what the wires were but connected them up an the boat ran good as new. It might be that the boat didn't even run out of gas in the first place.

All I know is that I am out this weekend!

I hope that wasn't a Malibu mechanic!!

[68Slalom]

OK we found the problem.

A small brass screw under the ignition had vibrated free and left a few wires disconnected. The engine was still turning over, but not catching. The mechanic didn't really know what the wires were but connected them up an the boat ran good as new. It might be that the boat didn't even run out of gas in the first place.

All I know is that I am out this weekend!

That's a pretty nice find considering you were starting with a fuel issue. Pretty good mechanic you got there