Mercury 260 issues

Jackwgf · 13-05-2012, 09:32 PM

Hi Guys
Was wondering if anyone had and ideas in what was happening to my motor today while I was racing in the local round in Guernsey,
the boat ran superbly for the first 6 laps then the motor kept cutting out and coming back on very quickly, as if it was running out of fuel, this wasn't the case as the tank was near on full. The engine shortly after dies and would not start, when i got in and pulled the boat out i checked fuel pump which seems fine, also check fuel for water which was not a issue.
After hosing the boat down I decided I would put the nose cone on and give it one last time and try to run it up before putting it away, first turn of the key and it started perfectly.
I don't want to just forget about it and it happen in the next round too! Today lost me the race when I could have won it.
Does anyone have any ideas?
The motor is a mercury 2.5 260.
Many Thanks
Jack

martynwilley · 13-05-2012, 10:01 PM

Does the fuel pump run from a relay from the purple switch wire off the loom or do you have a switch on the dash for fuel pump?

larby · 14-05-2012, 06:55 AM

I should probably add that when you were trying to start it on the course, it tried to fire every time but died instantly. As you said, seemed like no fuel but evidently not.

Just a thought, you were starting in gear on the water, thus putting a load on the engine. On the slip you were in neutral with no load. That could be why it started.
Try backing it down the slip and starting in gear again, I bet it doesn't go.

Larby

Jackwgf · 14-05-2012, 09:27 AM

The Fuel pump runs on a separate switch on the dash.

I did try to start the engine in and out of gear in the sea and on the slip but made no difference.

still no worries · 14-05-2012, 10:36 AM

The first thing I would change is the stator, they can be fine when cold and play up after a few laps ! I had one once that would do about 20 mins and then just cut out, 10 mins later it's good for another 20 mins it really pissed me off and cost us a few races, hope this helps.

Burty · 15-05-2012, 07:06 PM

check all your earths on the motor plus your kill cord! next would be changing the stator as Derek says.

Jackwgf · 15-05-2012, 10:24 PM

I found out what the problem is, the gel coat has come off the inside of my tank and clogged my fuel filter. I am in the process of cutting it out. Thinking of replacing it with a bladder tank. Any recommendations?
Thanks for the help all the same though guys.

John.Richardson · 15-05-2012, 10:53 PM

Hey mate - check out

Www.turtlepac.com

Where I got mine from- its not cheap but heavy duty and good quality.

Give us a shout and you can have a spy.

J

Cookee · 16-05-2012, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackwgf

I found out what the problem is, the gel coat has come off the inside of my tank and clogged my fuel filter. I am in the process of cutting it out. Thinking of replacing it with a bladder tank. Any recommendations?
Thanks for the help all the same though guys.

Gel coat on the inside of a fuel tank?

As far as I know there isn't an approved GRP resin let alone gel coat that will stand up to petrol and certainly not with the latest additives. Who made it?

Paul Tilley makes bladder tanks for OCR www.tidel.biz

Jackwgf · 16-05-2012, 05:10 PM

Its a bernico so it would be Nico, I have spoken to him and he said that he has never had any issues like this before but I guess there is always a fist, this being it!

I have cut the top off the tank and that is obviously the problem as 30% of the inside of the tank has peeled off. I would say its probably down to the amount of octain that is in the fuel now days.

I have spoken to Bob from OCR and he doesn't have any left but is going to get in contact with his supplier to try and get me one made for next week. Fingers crossed only two weeks until the next race!

Ph@ntastic · 16-05-2012, 06:10 PM

Its the curent bio ethanol in the fuel that eats away everything .
I have a special tank coating in my fuel tank after it was leaking , this coating is specialy designed for aluminium metal and grp tanks its called tank cure http://www.tankcure.nl/ its in there for 2years now and except from some chips that came of one of the inside walls (dont know how you call them its to prefent the fuel from going form the front to the back at once) its still holding strong and no leaks so far .

Renegade · 16-05-2012, 06:26 PM

It seems im not alone then!! I had nightmares because of this and just getting everything sorted. fuel lines and everything.

Jackwgf · 16-05-2012, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renegade

It seems im not alone then!! I had nightmares because of this and just getting everything sorted. fuel lines and everything.

What did you do? Have you removed your tank and now using a bladder too? Having trouble finding one!
ATL do them from the US but they appear to be very pricey!

larby · 16-05-2012, 08:34 PM

Why not just go for an ally tank? It's not a huge amount of weight at the end of the day and I doubt you'll get enough fuel in a bladder for 1hr of racing with a 260!

Ph@ntastic · 16-05-2012, 08:35 PM

Go stainless or you'l have this in 2 to 3years time ...........

larby · 16-05-2012, 09:02 PM

Jesus!! I've never seen anything that bad, depends on how well you fit it and care for it I guess, not to mention what grade ally it's made from! My tank is lifted from the bilge (which will be kept clean and dry anyway), is surrounded by 12mm closed cell foam and coated in a very thick layer of waxoyl, the water doesn't get under it and creep like it does with paint or powdercoat. I've never had an issue with an ally tank, a stainless one would be prone to cracking and much heavier.

James

still no worries · 16-05-2012, 09:05 PM

My alloy tank get's emptied every November and still looks brand new inside (it's 15 years old and has had super unleaded in it most of the time) forgot to say it came from argon weld.

Ph@ntastic · 16-05-2012, 09:29 PM

This one came out of my seaquel 600XS , some tosser betted it into foam wich soaked up salt water , also there was no room for water to go from front to back underneat the tank al all so the foam was soked !
After getting it oud i was planing on welding a new bottom underneat over the old one but after sandblasting i found out all sides were compleatly shot .... as i didn't have a budget at that time to buy a new tank that fitted the boat i laminated a few very thin layers of mat combined with chemical resistant epoxy , after that i presure tested the tank and left the presure on for a few days , when it proofed closes i bought a few cannister of tank cure and coated the inside of the tank just to be sure .
Been over 2years and still no leaks to be found and my tank is filled 24/7 all days of the year .

Edit : btw i have no idea on what aly was used , i know it was painted but this didnt hold for long , and the tank was build by a profestional tank builder that also build mr-rob's 600XS fuel tank , i warnd him about what i found but he was convinced he would have any problems .