Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Long story short--motor quit on me again yesterday-3rd time in 3 yrs-2nd time in 2 months.


Quality Marine on L Livingston Tx is saying it is ethanol related. FYI I have been running Startron since my first breakdown in 2011. Bought rig in early 2010.


Last time it quit in August of this yr they said it was an O-ring in the fuel pump system..First time it quit-replaced gas hose, filter etc.


Yesterday was only the 2nd time I ran it since I got back from vacation on Sept 18.


But I run the motor at least once a week in my boat stall-Quality is saying the gas sitting in the fuel pump is eating up all the rubber.

Is anyone else having these problems and any have any helpful suggestions on how I can not be afraid to get in the boat again? Other than smartalec remarks about Mercury . I have owned 9 and this is the first one that has laid down on me. Cant believe I'm the only one being stranded.


btw-no diagnosis on the 3rd breakdown yet.

I guess I wonder if anyone else is having ethanol related breakdowns. Beginning to think I have a lemon--btw I have the 5 yr warranty.

You might want to get your engine fixed, and then diagnose the root problem. You might start by finding a source of 100% gasoline to take the 90/10 out of the equation.

Does that motor have a fuel fitting that you can disconnect when you park the boat and run it dry so no fuel sits in the pump?

cwag911 wrote:Does that motor have a fuel fitting that you can disconnect when you park the boat and run it dry so no fuel sits in the pump?

I'll check but I dont think it is easy----used to run the gas out of my old Carbed Mercs---never a prob. Thanx to all for the replies-Iam really discouraged.

Bamaman wrote:You might want to get your engine fixed, and then diagnose the root problem. You might start by finding a source of 100% gasoline to take the 90/10 out of the equation.

Yep--may have to bite the bullet--no place close thatI know of--my boat is in a boathouse so I have to take cans to fillup. Nothing on the water.

The season I had ethanol issues, so do nearly 100 boats in our marinas. It seems every now and then there's a bad batch of ALGoreGas.

These engines ares supposed to run on E-10 though. I'd complain to Mercury.

badmoonrising wrote:The season I had ethanol issues, so do nearly 100 boats in our marinas. It seems every now and then there's a bad batch of ALGoreGas.

These engines ares supposed to run on E-10 though. I'd complain to Mercury.

I'll call them next week--same prob---a grommet in VST cracks from ethanol contamination allegedly causing loss of fuel pump pressure. 3rd time it's happened--twice in a month? Dont think so. Gasoline tested at 5% ethanol.