2014 DF175 issues AGAIN

[stephendudra]

for the 2nd time, my engine has done the same thing. Appears to go into a "limp" mode and doesn't run.

Engine starts up and idles, but will not go above 1300 or so.

Last time in the shop, I was told ALL of the filters needed replaced. (700 dollars later) the boat ran good. I parked the boat for a few months due to a move and when I take it out again, same issue occurs.

When I got it out of the shop the first time, I had the tank professional drained and cleaned and then filled back up with ethanol free. As I said, it ran good after that.

I am at my witts end with this engine that has less than 50 hours. If it is not fixed this time, CORRECTLY, I will be contacting an attorney to do something about it.

Has ANYONE had a similar issue with this engine?

[briscoe]

Did you

You changed your water separator filter, right?

[stephendudra]

Water Seperator

You changed your water separator filter, right?

I just has all new filters put on the boat and engine in January as I stated. The boat has been used for a total of 5-10 hours since that time.

So to answer your question, I have not (yet) put a new water separator on it as it should not have to be changed every 10 hours.

[redlowrey]

So what you are saying, it starts fine, idles fine, and when you put it in gear with wide open throttle it will not go over thirteen hundred rpm. If this is what is happening, if it was starving for fuel it would just splutter and stall, has it got a cable or is it ECT, electronic throttle control. Need a bit more information.

[stephendudra]

So what you are saying, it starts fine, idles fine, and when you put it in gear with wide open throttle it will not go over thirteen hundred rpm. If this is what is happening, if it was starving for fuel it would just splutter and stall, has it got a cable or is it ECT, electronic throttle control. Need a bit more information.

I believe all of the newer engines are ECT an electronic throttle control.

For the record it does spit and sputter as if the spark plugs are fouled out. It is in the shop and have heard nothing as of yet. Once I do, I will reply here.

[artdf175]

What is the condition of the fuel bulb when you experience the problem?
Is it deflated ? Almost sounds like the fuel tank vent / breather could be plugged and the fuel pump cannot get a free flow of fuel
Art

[Moonlighter]

I believe all of the newer engines are ECT an electronic throttle control.

For the record it does spit and sputter as if the spark plugs are fouled out. It is in the shop and have heard nothing as of yet. Once I do, I will reply here.

No, not all are fly by wire.

The models designated as simply DF150/175 are not fitted with precision control/lean burn. But the models designated DF150/175 TG are both precision control (fly by wire) and lean burn. The TG models usually have a "Lean Burn" badge on the rear of the cowl.

So you need to confirm what you've actually got. Although it seems unlikely at this stage to be related to the issues reported.

Anyway, are you saying that the first time the problem happened, it was established without doubt that you had picked up a dirty load of fuel that had contaminated all the filters?

And after ALL the filters, including the Racor style water separating fuel filter in the fuel line between the tank and the engine, were ALL replaced and the tank cleaned out.

It then it ran fine for a short time, but now has a recurrence of the same symptoms? Correct? Especially the part about the Racor style filter element being replaced?

Now, Is this a repower on an existing boat, or a completely new boat/engine setup youve bought?

If it is the former, i would be looking at the fuel lines from the tank all the way to the engine. Old Fuel lines are notorious for the inside liner breaking down, cant be seen from the outside, but when it does it can cause exactly the kind of problems with blockages you have desciribed.

Some more info would help - if you can answer all the questions above and provide any additional info it would be useful.

[stephendudra]

Update

Boat is in the shop where I purchased the engine. They water tested it and was able to create the problem again.

$400 into the repair thus far and they have found that the VST tank has some built up residue and it needs cleaned. Also the high pressure fuel filter that the previous place said they had replaced in January was completely stopped up.

Waiting to hear back after another water test. I will be taking parts BACK to the place that said they replaced them in January and seeing what I can do about that situation.

BTW, Advance Marine here in Jacksonville Florida is whom had my boat in January. NEVER AGAIN!

[stephendudra]

water test confirmed everything.

VST needed cleaned
High pressure Fuel Filter needed replaced
Low pressure Fuel Filter replaced

I was told that replacing just the filters did not work. It was cleaning of the VST that seemed to make the biggest difference.

From all records I seen, this was not done in January when I had it in the shop to have all of this done before.

Hopefully now this will finally solve the issue, but still is baffling me.

Anyhow, information for all out there to help in the future.

Stephen

[Moonlighter]

Hopefully it is sorted now. Really highlighs the need for clean fuel. Do you know where the dirty load of fuel came from?? Maybe avoid that supplier in future..... And also as you say, some harsh words may be required with the original mechanic who supposedly fixed it for you.

It is critical that the water separating filter (Racor style) fitted in the fuel line between tank and engine is also changed. I am still unclear as to whether you actually have one of these fitted to the boat, if not, you now know why they are vital.

I would suggest that you change that filter element again now if not already done, and again in a few tanks time. Because that dirty load of fuel you got from somewhere may still have left some residue in the tank or fuel lines, despite the tank being cleaned out.

A little "insurance" by changing that element again soon would be a sound investment.

Good luck, hopefully your problems are behind you now.

[stephendudra]

I would suggest that you change that filter element again now if not already done, and again in a few tanks time. Because that dirty load of fuel you got from somewhere may still have left some residue in the tank or fuel lines, despite the tank being cleaned out.

A little "insurance" by changing that element again soon would be a sound investment.

Good luck, hopefully your problems are behind you now.

Yes I do have a Racor filter and it was again changed when in the shop this time. Although, he said the internal part of that filter seemed fine.

[Solarman]

Likewise, I'm wondering if they (advance marine) really cleaned the tank, though they said so? Then again, if they had cleaned the vst and other filters, your bill might have been a thousand more?

Good luck.