Official 280 Sundancer Thread

[stg099]

Has anyone tried to change out the fuel fill and vent hoses? I believe one of mine is deteriorating to the point of allowing a slight fuel odor under the step. I opened the access in the aft berth to the sending unit and that is tight and sealed so only other options must be the hoses. The manual shows the two run together do I might as well do both. Has anyone done this yet and if so do I have to start pulling panels or is it all accessible from the engine compartment?

I’m curious if you have tightened your fuel level sender? This is typically the cause for the fuel smell under the step. You can get to it under the round access cover under the aft berth. I had the same issue and snugged that up 2 seasons ago and haven’t had a whiff of fuel smell since.

 

[DWABoat]

No, they are in line, prior to the fuel water separators, for each engine. Not sure where the photo went. Try again.View attachment 82889

So for each engine, you have the in-line fuel filter and the spin-on fuel filter also? I see the pic of the in-line filter. Mine only has the spin-Ins. That is why I was wondering if those were added in later.

 

[Josh28161]

I’m curious if you have tightened your fuel level sender? This is typically the cause for the fuel smell under the step. You can get to it under the round access cover under the aft berth. I had the same issue and snugged that up 2 seasons ago and haven’t had a whiff of fuel smell since.

Hey, yeah that’s where I discovered the odor, and tried that first. Unfortunately didn’t help.

 

[Seldom Right]

J
Launched around noon today, very cold and windy, flurries when we left the house at 1130. First time since last winter that I took the time to bundle up, glad I did, wind was howling. Tried the AC unit for heat, not pumping water, motor working. I checked and the strainer is clean, and there is water flow when I open the valve with strainer cover off. Didn't go further as wanted canvas on. Thinking its a dirty screen, is there one before the impeller in the white housing, or what?

 

[Seldom Right]

DWABoat, yes, there is the in line filter, and the water separator fuel filter on the engine itself.

 

[Seldom Right]

IN.

 

[DWABoat]

DWABoat, yes, there is the in line filter, and the water separator fuel filter on the engine itself.View attachment 82980

I wonder why they would double filter the fuel line? Do you think it’s factory on later models or an after-market addition? That may be why you can’t find a Sea Ray or Merc part number on it.

 

[bajturner]

J
Launched around noon today, very cold and windy, flurries when we left the house at 1130. First time since last winter that I took the time to bundle up, glad I did, wind was howling. Tried the AC unit for heat, not pumping water, motor working. I checked and the strainer is clean, and there is water flow when I open the valve with strainer cover off. Didn't go further as wanted canvas on. Thinking its a dirty screen, is there one before the impeller in the white housing, or what?

A simple thing to try, if you have a garden hose with water on handy, is to force water back from the outlet through hull to prime the pump from that side. I have had to do this on all my Sea Rays at some point but most often on the 280DA.

 

[Henry Boyd]

J
Launched around noon today, very cold and windy, flurries when we left the house at 1130. First time since last winter that I took the time to bundle up, glad I did, wind was howling. Tried the AC unit for heat, not pumping water, motor working. I checked and the strainer is clean, and there is water flow when I open the valve with strainer cover off. Didn't go further as wanted canvas on. Thinking its a dirty screen, is there one before the impeller in the white housing, or what?

Did you drive the boat any distance on plane? That will force water through the system. Other thing is did you check that the outlet through hull valve was open? If you didn’t winterize who ever did might have closed it. When it was running did the AC through an error code?

 

[DWABoat]

Did you drive the boat any distance on plane? That will force water through the system. Other thing is did you check that the outlet through hull valve was open? If you didn’t winterize who ever did might have closed it. When it was running did the AC through an error code?

On my 2001 280, there is an additional shut off valve just before the discharge exits the hull. So, Henry Boyd has an excellent point. Did you check that?

 

[Seldom Right]

I never got it on plane, 1500 rpm tops, as was in a channel. I checked, there is no valve on the discharge side, and no error codes. I winterized it, blew all the water out. I was thinking the same thing about sticking a house in the discharge and pushing water through the system. All great suggestions, thanks!
As for the in-line filters, I have no idea if its stock, other than to say that it sure appears to be a stock set up. And, thinking they are there as the high pressure fuel pump is before the fuel/water separator.

And the weather has gotten colder, was 29 at 0630, high around 45 today. The summers here are awesome, but I got no use for the rest of year. For those that like 50 degrees, this is the place to live.

 

[bajturner]

I never got it on plane, 1500 rpm tops, as was in a channel. I checked, there is no valve on the discharge side, and no error codes. I winterized it, blew all the water out. I was thinking the same thing about sticking a house in the discharge and pushing water through the system. All great suggestions, thanks!
As for the in-line filters, I have no idea if its stock, other than to say that it sure appears to be a stock set up. And, thinking they are there as the high pressure fuel pump is before the fuel/water separator.

And the weather has gotten colder, was 29 at 0630, high around 45 today. The summers here are awesome, but I got no use for the rest of year. For those that like 50 degrees, this is the place to live.

Definitely try pushing water back through. I used to do it while the pump was running...but you only have a minutes or two before it kicks off. Worked every time.

 

[Seldom Right]

Ok, pump on, didn't think about that!

 

[grettberg]

Does anyone know what the mercruiser part number is for the in line fuel filters? As usual they gave me the wrong ones, the thread size is off. Maybe better yet, where can I find PN's for this boat, as all the materials I have don't have PN's?View attachment 82830

The PN on mine is 18-7721.

 

[Seldom Right]

Awesome, thanks!

 

[Seldom Right]

Yep, water hose in discharge did the trick, got heat.

 

[Bottomrock]

PROPS... 2004 280 with twin 4.3s still has the stock SS Vengeance (14.5 x17) props on there. They are beat up and I'd like to replace instead of repair. Reading around and people seem to prefer other brands than vengeance. What have you changed too and are you sticking with the same size?

 

[trdehmer]

I have a 2003 280, my Vacu-flush system isn’t working. The key in the bathroom lights up, but it’s like there is no power to the system to flush the toilet. Any thoughts what to look for? I don’t see any fuses tripped below throttle lever or in bilge.

 

[Henry Boyd]

I have a 2003 280, my Vacu-flush system isn’t working. The key in the bathroom lights up, but it’s like there is no power to the system to flush the toilet. Any thoughts what to look for? I don’t see any fuses tripped below throttle lever or in bilge.

Is the vacuum generator (pump) cycling?

 

[trdehmer]

Is the vacuum generator (pump) cycling?

It is not. I went in the bilge, wiring looks fine. Tapped it with a rubber mallet, it did nothing.