OUTLAW EAGLE MANUFACTURING

rokhed · Joined: 09 Jul 2012 Posts: 2 Location: Grande Prairie

This is my first post,and unfortunately it is with a problem. Has anyone experianced grief with the fuel system on the 200 opti? I had the boat out on the weekend and it ran like a champ,but late one afternoon the motor seemed to be starved for fuel when I would power up from a low idle.It would die and not flash up again. Fuel filters were changed and pump sounded normal when ignition was on. It would start and idle normal each time until I tried to power up,then it was back to square one.The only thing that seemed odd to me was that the primer ball was soft. So after pumping it up a few times it finally caught and didn't miss a beat after that.
It was a hot day and I was idling/drifting a fair amount at times,so I wonder if that would have anything to do with it?
Any ideas on how I can solve this problem is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

WILSON · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 352 Location: Mexico City

If you had an outboard, I would answer that that exact problem has happened to me, and the reason was that the air bleed in the fuel tank was closed. Make sure you open the bleed and let air enter the fuel tank.

But, this is not an outboard and you are likely using a big fat fuel tank that's fixed to the boat. Maybe you only had a bubble in the fuel line, which you pumped out with the primer.

REPO · Joined: 09 Sep 2011 Posts: 179

Left you a PM

RUNNIN WIDE OPEN · Joined: 08 Aug 2009 Posts: 19 Location: SYLVAN LAKE

The same thing just happened with mine, or should i say i just got it figured out to be the fuel pump. They get weak and cannot pull the fuel hard enough to feed the motor at wide open. I have 107 hrs on mine. Went through every possible option, filters, primer bulb, water in fuel tank, ect. You name it I checked it. Funny thing is that it was intermittent and these little engines can run for awhile on next to no fuel... Just not over 3/4 throttle. I will be checking how much psi the new pump pushes (pre-engine spin on filter) in the next day or so and I will post it for comparison.

towman · Joined: 05 Aug 2009 Posts: 54 Location: Grande Prairie

Ha! thats funny! My @00 opti just did the exact thing, changed filters and fuel pump good to go. 140hrs on it.

REPO · Joined: 09 Sep 2011 Posts: 179

The first fuel pump in the system is a VERY common problem. I have heard of almost a dozen boats who had this pump fail this year. It starts out as a sort of miss at high load, then progressivly gets worse. If you have a primer bulb before this pump, you will notice that it will start again after you pump it. The Mercury pump is quite expensive. NAPA has a pump that is not marine certified that I used, and got it for $63.31 with my discount. Part # E8012S This pump is identical to the Mercury pump that is in there, even mounts to the original clamp. It comes with the hose barb fittings and a new little inlet fuel filter. The only item you need to buy for the install is a small 1/8" male by 1/8" female 90 degree fitting so the outlet hose of the pump lines up as original. You will also need a couple red heat shrink connecters, as you will have to cut the plug of the old pump and connect it to the new pump. The wires are even the same color, and both new and old pumps are stamped to show polarity.

rokhed · Joined: 09 Jul 2012 Posts: 2 Location: Grande Prairie

That's great info guys.Thanks again Repo, I'll be going to my local Napa store pronto for a pump and a spare,'cuz I have this really wierd ability of having power issues at the absolute worst possible time. Over the years a guy just continues to accumulate parts and doodads just incase.
So is it just the low pressure pump that piles up or has there been issues with the mid and high pressure one too? I'm assuming the mid is mounted vertical and clyinder shaped,Kinda behind the l/p pump and the h/p one is....? Could these be purchased at Napa as well?

REPO · Joined: 09 Sep 2011 Posts: 179

I personally have not heard of anyone having problems with the other two pumps and have not researched them. You are correct that the mid range is just beside/behind the low pressure pump. The high pressure is internal to the aluminum housing that is at the front of the engine. Follow the lines/wires and you will see where I mean.

RUNNIN WIDE OPEN · Joined: 08 Aug 2009 Posts: 19 Location: SYLVAN LAKE

So i did some testing today, the low pressure Mercury fuel pump in brand new condition will push 13 psi max, it does not build higher even after several cycles. I rigged up a "T" to a liquid filled pressure gauge and I plan on checking up on it every 50 or so hrs from here on out to see what's happening with these little pumps.

REPO · Joined: 09 Sep 2011 Posts: 179

I have the Mercury test specs at work if you want me to post it.

RUNNIN WIDE OPEN · Joined: 08 Aug 2009 Posts: 19 Location: SYLVAN LAKE

Yea the specs would be great.

REPO · Joined: 09 Sep 2011 Posts: 179

This is a few items I have gathered and saved for future reference.

Fuel pressure at injectors: 89 +/- 2PSI
Air pressure: 79 +/- 2PSI
Low pressure fuel pump: 6-9 PSI
Lift fuel pump: 1-10 PSI
Fuel injector Ohm resistance: 1.8 +/-0.1 Ohm
Direct Injector resistance 1.3 +/-0.3 Ohms

Viking502 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 137 Location: Alberta Beach, AB

Merc low pressure fuel pump is junk. Even the "new updated"
pump is garbage (got 4-5hrs out of it).
Go to Canadian tire and buy Carter/Bosch pump.
Fits in original clamp and cost about $130.
It cured the problem.

REPO · Joined: 09 Sep 2011 Posts: 179

Hey Viking, by any chance did the boat sit for the winter after the pump was changed? Or did you put it on and only get 4 hrs?

Viking502 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 137 Location: Alberta Beach, AB