1998 Searay Bowrider 5.0l carb- fuel pump/ fuel booster options

[Joel_CA]

Hi Guys and Gals,

Upon attempting to wake up my Searay from its winterized slumber, I had a little bit of a hiccup trying to get her started. The with the batteries fully charged and water flowing through the muffs, she cranked and cranked and cranked but would not fire up. As a Toyota mechanic, I felt comfortable in diagnosing this no start condition and was able to isolate it to a bad fuel pump / fuel booster. I verified voltage and ground at the fuel pump connector but could not hear or feel that the pump motor was running. After gently tapping it with a screwdriver handle, the fuel pump eventually woke up with my son cranking the engine and it fired right up. After looking up the part I needed (based on my engine serial number 0L046021), I found the fuel pump (part number 861155A-3) available for a pretty hefty pricetag of $230. After doing some research, I found a compatible fuel pump / booster available from Airtex (E11003) for roughly $100 less. While I'm a firm believer of "you get what you pay for", Airtex is a pretty reputable brand name in the automotive world. Does anyone have any feedback of their marine applications? Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.

J

 

[BillK2632]

I don't know anything about an aftermarket fuel pump. You can figure Mercury did not manufacture it. They are expensive, I would make sure it meets marine ignition protection requirements. While it could be the fuel pump, they do go bad, also make sure you have checked the oil pressure switche/circuit. The ignition switch activates the fuel pump, but once the engine starts and the ignition switch is in the run position and the oil pressure switch keeps the fuel pump circuit on. Low oil pressure or open circuit on the switch and fuel pump won't run. Easy test to jump connections bypassing switch to test, purple/yellow wire, switch is located port side low. Oil press'ure switch failure is more common than fuel pump and it's only around $30.

 

[dvx216]

Ran into the same thing with my 530I the price between airtex and oem made you wonder if the airtex was junk.I rolled the dice and went with airtex.This kind of thing that makes me wonder who makes the oem parts it wouldn't surprise me if airtex didn't makes both of them.

 

[Joel_CA]

Thanks for the input guys. I definitely had power and ground at the fuel pump connector while cranking with no response from the pump, so I'm confident there is a fault with the pump. Thanks for the information about the oil pressure switch and how its tied in to the circuit. That's something I would have never known without the use of a schematic (which I don't have). The Airtex fuel pump is a direct replacement of the OEM pump- so Im gonna give it a shot. I found one on Amazon that has positive feedback from another Searay Bowrider owner.

Joel

 

[Fun Times]

Hi there, since you were able to tap on the pump after sitting for the winter, chances are your pump will be okay to go from here on out as long as it don't sit for a long time again. If you're not comfortable with that idea then the aftermarket pump you found will be just fine to use.

This service bulletin falls within your engine serial number.http://www.marinemechanic.com/merc/...rine/sterndrive/electricfuelpump-sticking.PDF < You may want/have to remove the pump, pump brass hose fitting and disassemble the spring and check valve inside the pump then reinstall.

While I'm at it, Here's some more fuel pump diagnostics info for members in need. http://www.marinemechanic.com/merc/distributors/mercurymarine/sterndrive/electricfuelpumptesting.PDF

Help tip reminder for you to bear in mind!
The needle and seat on your carb has a tendency to become sticky at times too. If you see no fuel flow into the carb while pumping and you know the fuel pump is getting fuel to the carb, lightly tap on the top of the carb inlet area to unstick the needle and seat. Usually it works to help get you going in a situation.

Hope this helps, good luck

 

[Joel_CA]

Thanks for the additional information. I have a replacement pump ordered and on the way and will look into the brass fitting once I do the replacement. Thanks very much for sharing your knowledge.

J