---

Hi - can anyone help on the following issue with 2007 Montauk with Mercury 90 please.

Since I have had the boat there has been a few occasions when the fuel alarm (high pitched beeping) would sound and the engine stop a few minutes later despite the tank being full. I have solved this in the past by disconnecting the fuel line to the tank and reconnecting and or switching to reserve tank and then restarting - this has not always worked first time and has once taken about five minutes to work.

Yesterday the fault occurred and led to a very dangerous situation. After being towed to safety from near to rocks the engine suddenly started again. It then stopped again on the way back to port and I had to get a tow.

I note the following:-

1. The fuel alarm sounded a few minutes before the engine stopped the first time - the tank was 80% full and the air valve undone.

2. The fuel alarm did not sound the second time the engine stopped.

3. I have at times had problems getting neutral and the throttle seems to be not that sensitive at first and then overly sensitive - you have to move it some way with little reaction and then suddenly you have lots of power.

4. Fuel was fresh.


5. For some reason I have had to have three new batteries since 2007 despite ensuring all electrics are off via kill switch when not operating and boat being kept on dry stack indoors.

6. There was electric power - when we moored up the engine raised up with no problem and there was power to the electronics.

Any thoughts gratefully received.

---

How many tanks do you have? Does this happen always on the same tank or different tanks? Have you tried replacing the fuel line from the tank to the engine and the primer bulb with one from the engine manufacturer? It sounds like something in the tank being randomly sucked against the pickup tube but it could be the interior of the hose is deteriorated and collapsing. Does the primer bulb remain hard or does it collapse, like there is a vacuum on it? Have you considered the fuel filters or the fuel pump? As far as the shift/throttle problem ges it sounds like there is something loose or broken in the shift lever binnacle or at the engine end of the cable although I have a new Evinrude E-TEC and the shift lever moves quite a way after popping in gear before the RPM's begin to increase. Sometimes you have a problem so aggravating that the best solution is to take it to a qualified mechanic.

---

I do not believe there is a fuel alarm rather a overheat warning.

Is this a 90 hp Mercury FourStroke (w/EFI)?

I would consult your engine manual and review the warning section. If you don't have an engine manual, go to Mercurymarine.com and see if you can download it. If not, visit a local dealer.

Do not run the motor untill you have resolved this issue.

What maintenance has been done in the last 2 years.

---

Thank you for your replies.

I have checked the tanks and pope many times and found no problems.

The engine is the Optimax and does have fuel low alarm as 95% of the time is goes off the tank is about to go dry and you have to swap the hose to another tank. It is the occasions that the alarm sounds and the fuel is not low and the engine cuts and refuses to start that are the issue!

I have determined due to the safety issues to have a full overhaul of the engine/fuel/ignition by a Mercury dealer as going through a process of elimination is just two uncertain and unsafe.

Thank you for your help.

---

Have you ruled out a low/no oil alarm?

Some 2 stroke owners have had general issues with the sensors in the undercowl and remote tanks?

---

You could probably buy a new engine cheaper, then you would have the warranty too.

---

It sounds to me like the alarm for the water separating fuel filter on the ENGINE. They do fill up with water and need to be replaced on a regular basis. Check it out and replace,