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Engine Cutting Out When Fuel Falls Below Half-Tank
I have a dauntless 17 with a 1999 115 Mercury OB. I had it in the GoM this past week. Topped of the fuel before I put in. Had several days of problem free running, then the motor started cutting out when the tank got down to about half full. When I went to pump the ball it was soft. When I pumped it back up it would restart, but after a while would cut out again. Repeat. Etc.
I would check the gas line at the tank, primer bulb and engine end. If the line is old, I would replace it and the fuel bulb. Do not skimp on the bulb. Goe with a Merc/Yamaha brand.
Is this a portable or under deck tank?
What is the condition of the fuel? How old? Is it stabilized? Fill a 2 liter soda bottle with fuel and check to see if there is water or separation.
Do you have an external seperator filter in the gas line?
Could the fuel pick up tube down inside the tank be sucking air when the fuel gets to half tank? Maybe corrosion or some other failure at the mid way point of the pick up tube.
My 2003 160 Dauntless (45 Gal. internal fuel tank) Owner's Manual Supplement on P. 10, Sec. 3 - Fuel System notes:
"EMPTY TANK
A fuel tank with levels less that 1/4 full can cause problems by stalling an engine due to fuel starvation or by allowing sediment and dirt to enter the fuel supply lines. Keeping the tank filled will reduce the chamce of this occurrence; since the residue will most likely settle to the bottom of the tank. Monitor the fuel level often to prevent this from happening."
I realize that 1/2 tank is not the same as 1/4, but your problem sounds like an earlier onset of this known design issue. Maybe worsened by older fuel bulb, contamination, older gas, or phase separation discussed above? Also worsened by a lot of pitch & roll of the boat?
I treat 1/4 tank like empty, haven't experienced this problem yet (knock wood!). Running a Merc 115 4 stroke, 33 of 45 gallons is plenty of useable fuel, but then I'm not running offshore. Interested to know how this resolves. Not dewinterizing until next month up near the Canadian border.
