Vapor Lock?
 

I found this site through Google when I typed in "1999 Mariah Shabah vapor lock." I have a problem where the boat will start the first time I try and run great while I'm out. But when I turn it off it won't start up again. I don't think it's a battery problem. I had a mechanic friend (not a boat mechanic) look at it and he said it sounded like vapor lock. I recreated the problem by running the boat on the lift for about 30-40 minutes then shutting it off. There is a copper mechanism on the bottom of the engine on the port side that I think we identified as the fuel pump/fuel cooler(?). When it failed, that copper was very hot. I drained the water as if winterizing the enging and the boat ran great over the weekend but I got stranded today when I skied over lunch. Is there a possiblity that the water flow to cool the fuel pump is just clogged or is it more serious than that? I would appreciate any input. Thanks, Pat

Re: Vapor Lock?
 

Ive been having this exact problem on mine. I have found that if I throttle to about 1/4 or more it helps to start. Very frustrating.

Re: Vapor Lock?
 

I keep saying, fuel. I think this ethanol crap we are getting at the pump is turning to water and not running right!

Try some additive and new ethanol free fuel.

Re: Vapor Lock?
 

Hey we dealt with this problem numerous times right after purchasing our Mariah every time we went out in it...replaced fuel pumps and everything else in and around that area! Even had to get towed by the ranger once, so embarrassing! My brillaint brother-n-law finally found the problem our last trip out at the end of summer last year and we had a perfect day and this year runs perfect everytime...PROBLEM...check valve, the ball in it was sticking, hubby and BNL hammered on it and used a screw driver to manuver the spring (sorry I'm a girl and I realize I am explaining this like one, lol) but it fixed it :) Good luck I hope your problem is as easy to fix as ours :) Exact same symptoms.

1996 Mariah Talari Z240/ 7.4 L EFI Bravo 3

Re: Vapor Lock?
 

Tried to siphon fuel out but theres a stopper in the filler tube. Have to wait til we run it out. Do you mean additives like seafoam?

Just wait til EPA gets the 15% ethanol minimum passed:mad: