Fuel Pump Issue

[squint]

Have an '05 X-1 MCX. At the beginning of the '07 season, it started having problems with the engine dying and intermittent restart problems. When the fuel pump energized and primed there were no problems. When the ignition was turned on and the fuel pump didn't energize, you could crank forever without starting. The boat would run fine for several outings, then on others, there would be multiple starting issues (sometimes waiting seveal minutes, sometimes 10 or 20 minutes).
Took it back to the dealer it was purchased from (4 hr drive). He hooked it up in the shop, ran perfectly with good fuel pressure and restarted with no problem. Since it was a long haul and the start of the season, he replaced the fuel pump (warranty). Ran the rest of last season with no problems.
Last week the two daughters had it out and it died on them. They were towed to a friends dock. They had put an old 5 gallon can of gasoline in just before going out. I thought they may have gotten some water so I added 10 gallons of fresh premium gas with STP gas cleaner. Ran ok after that.
Then comes July 4th weekend......Friday it ran perfect thru a morning session. After lunch, we dropped the first wakeboarder in the water and the engine died. Would not restart. A friend towed me back to my dock. I refilled the tank, about 12 gallons. I called the local dealer and talked to their serviceman. His 3 suggestions were 1) check kill switch, 2) check connection on back of ignition switch, 3)disconnect the two plugs on the fuel pump wiring harness and reconnect.
Well on Saturday morning, it wouldn't start (fuel pump wouldn't energize and prime when switch was turned on) so I unplugged and reconnected the two fuel pump wiring harness plugs. It started fine. Died several times that day on the lake and the plug trick worked every time. This morning, Sunday, it died twice during a morning session. The plug trick worked again, except the second time I had to do the plugs 4 or 5 times before the pump would energize and prime.
Calling the local dealer in the morning for their suggestions on permanent fix.

[mancira72]

I have a 2004 X2 and on Saturday my boat died, I thought that I ran out of gas but that was not the problem. It does nothing but turnover. I tried the tips on your posting but did not work.
I will be taking it in this week (2 hours away in Seattle). I will be glad to pass on the diagnostic. Good luck.

Mark

[Floydage]

Hi,

I have a 2001 X-Star had to replace my fuel pump three times. If you run these pumps low or out of gas kiss the pump goodbye. I always keep an extra one on the boat as it is so unrealiable. Just replace the pump and I bet it will run OK.

[sand2snow22]

We replaced a fuel pump 2005 X-2 this week, dealer ran it out of gas in front of my brother going to pick up the boat. Fuel pump died 5 days later on the water. Towed it 2 hours back to dealer, they replaced the pump and back on the water by 2 pm. Runs like a champ. We try not to let the tank go below 1/3.

[boofer]

Floyd, you keep a replacement pump on board? These things are kind of big with all of the housing and stuff and expensive ($400+). Or, are you able to purchase just the pump itself? If so, where do you get them and are they the exact replacement?

[bigmac]

Ditto on the bad fuel pump. In my experience, a bad-or-non-running MCX is the fuel pump until proven otherwise.

[Roonie's]

You can fry a fuel pump if you get it below 1/4 tank. It may not show up immediatley but it will show up eventually. In the newer owner manuals it states this in the initial warnings not to go below a 1/4 tank. Do a search on the subject and a lot will come up.

[Floydage]

Boofer,

I do keep an extra on board. It is big, but I keep in a box in the front storage compartment. It does cost a little over $400 but it's worth it for the security of knowing I won't get stranded. I also have to keep a special tool for diconnecting the fuel lines. It's a small part you can get from Napa Auto for Chevy lines. Does anyone know if there is an upgrade or replacement pump that won't fail so easily?

[squint]

On another post, someone mentioned that the fuel pump is a Mastercraft design, so aftermarket replacements may not be around.

Another post said that if it is a pump issue, then they have repaired the pump with NAPA available parts.

[boofer]

Well, I know that bigmac will chime in. But, apparently there is an ACDelco pump that people have successfully crossreferenced (sp?) with the Carter/Federal Mogul pump. It is ACDelco EP356. I have never used it since I have not had to replace my pump.....yet.

[squint]

Out of the shop and running fine....at least for three weekends. Problem was a bad ground on the fuel pump electrical line. Cleaned and reconnected.