1984 Mercury I/O problem

[pferreira]

Hello,
I was out on the lake today having fun with the boat and kids when suddenly my motor just cut off and stopped. I thought maybe I was out of gas or at least that?s what it felt like!
Got it back on the trailer after being towed by another boat and drove it to the gas station filled it up but it only took 4 gallons!! Obviously not empty. I tried to get it started there but to no avail. Got home cranked it again nothing, until I heard a buzz noise inside the gas tank, banged on the area the sound was coming with my hand, buzz went away, turned the key and now the motor runs again like nothing was ever wrong!
What could it be? Is there a gas pump inside the tank?
What is the buzz sound?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Peter

 

[lkbum]

Re: 1984 Mercury I/O problem

I know this will sound silly and I may be off base.... But is there anyway a dirt dauber (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mud_dauber) built a nest in your vent line during the week? This would clog the vent line and kill the engine. The maybe you sucked it's nest and it into the tank trying to crank it. Hence the buzz in the tank and now the ability to run??

 

[pferreira]

Re: 1984 Mercury I/O problem

I'm sure this was an electrical sound! Not a bee! Hahahaha!

 

[Don S]

Re: 1984 Mercury I/O problem

If some of the wiring is shorting out againt the gas tank (which is grounded) it could kill the engine and could also wear thru the tank and cause a leak, along with a short and ..... KA BOO........ you miss the ending.
I would be looking very close at the wiring, where it's routed, what it's against etc. Before I would ever put power to it again. Just in case.
Follow the wires all the way forward and make sure a screw hasn't punctured the wiring from a previous installation of something.

 

[pferreira]

Re: 1984 Mercury I/O problem

So Don besides the gauge, is there a pump inside the tank?

Peter

 

[Don S]

Re: 1984 Mercury I/O problem

No, boats don't have that. That's an automotive thing.