So I ran a few more tests today (pulled the boat out of the water so its in my driveway w/ the muffs on):
1. Checked fuel filter: It was full of fuel, poured into a clear glass jar, no debris or separation. Reinstalled with new fuel filled to the top
2. Checked impeller while I had everything away from the engine and the access was good, that looks brand new (not likely to be related to my issue, but I checked it for maintenance purposes)
3. Bought a new fuel pressure tester at Napa. Seems to have a better gauge than my other one, read about 3psi on the low pressure pump when the key is in the ON position, as soon as the pump turns off, pressure goes to 0.
4. Used new fuel pressure tester on high pressure rail at the schrader valve, I get 0 psi no matter what I do (key ON, cranking)
5. Checked voltage to both high and low fuel pressure pump connectors using the battery negative as a reference, had 12.5V on both connectors while the key was on for the first couple of seconds (priming), then went to 0.
6. Hooked reference lead of DVM meter to battery positive terminal, then checked the ground connection on the two fuel pump plugs. I get -12.5Vdc for both grounds at all times (as expected I believe)
7. Pulled anti-siphon and fuel pickup from tank, anti siphon was blown out and appeared to be passing air one way and not the other, seems to work. The pickup would not pull completely out of the tank, seems like something was catching on the bottom of the bung fitting (screen?) I looked down in and could see the screen, but could not see its condition. I blew down into the tube to see if the screen may have been plugged. I wouldn't suggest ever doing that since the air did indeed go down, but blew right back up after and into my mouth.
With the muffs and water on, I tried different starting scenarios:
1. Key on, wait for priming to complete, then crank
2. Key on, crank while priming
3. Key on, crank while priming, wait for engine to start/die, then continue holding key to crank
I was actually able to get the motor to start for about 3 seconds (most its done since changing the plugs) using scenario 2 above. As soon as it stalls in this scenario, I hear one chirp from the alarm. With all other scenarios I get no chirp when it stalls.
I also added some fuel to make sure my gauge wasn't acting up and that I wasn't out of fuel this whole time.
All that said, I've tried two different gauges and it doesn't seem like I am getting proper fuel pressure at all. Would you agree that my symptoms of starting and stalling immediately appear to be fuel starvation?
The pumps were just replaced over the winter, the hesitation issue was present before the pumps were replaced and after and I used it for a couple of hours before it quit starting completely. Do you think I have a blockage either in my tank or in the fuel line feeding the pumps or does this seem like a failed pump?
