Engine starts fine then sputters out

[kingjohnzone]

I just bought a 2000 regal 2150 with a volvo/penta 5.7 GSI. It wasn't used for the last 2 years. Initially it started and ran fine hooked up to a hose. I changed the engine oil, oil filter, outdrive oil, fuel filter(seperator) put a small bottle of fuel treatment/injector cleaner and 7 gallons of premium fuel in the tank and took it to the lake. It fired up willingly first and every time and slowly dies in about 5-10 seconds. Now does the same thing on the hose. Any suggestions on where to start trouble shooting? spark plugs, fuel issue? it reads a bit low on the oil dipstick as well after my oil change so I was going to add accordingly but didn't think that would be a problem for a short test run... any solid recommendations are greatly appreciated!!!

 

[ken226]

Re: Engine starts fine then sputters out

Sounds like a classic clogged fuel filter symptom. Id look there first.

Especially with an electric fuel pump.

While the electrical system is switched on, small amounts of fuel make it through the clogged filter and fill the float bowl. Then when the engine starts, it quickly drains the float bowl then dies since the pump can't force enough fuel through the blockage to keep up with the running engine. After the engine dies, the float bowl slowly begins filling, and fills enough that the engine will start again, drain the float bowl again, then die again.

Theres a good chance that since it sat so long, when you first started it, the fuel pump moved some old fuel sludge/varnish into the filter and clogged it.

 

[kingjohnzone]

Re: Engine starts fine then sputters out

You would change it out even if I just put a new one in? Also do spark plugs go bad without being used? Thanks! I'll pick up another filter and see what happens

 

[kingjohnzone]

Re: Engine starts fine then sputters out

I also should add that the longer I let it set before restarting the longer it will run which probably confirms your fuel filter theory

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Engine starts fine then sputters out

What is the serial number or full model number of your engine? The letters after "GSi" are important.

The "i" in "GSi" means you have a fuel injected system. So, no float bowl. It wouldn't be a bad idea to take a look at your fuel pumps (both of them).

 

[ken226]

Re: Engine starts fine then sputters out

What is the serial number or full model number of your engine? The letters after "GSi" are important.

The "i" in "GSi" means you have a fuel injected system. So, no float bowl. It wouldn't be a bad idea to take a look at your fuel pumps (both of them).

I agree with the above quote, I assumed carb and also missed the part where you had already replaced the fuel filter. The first thing to check on an EFI engine would be the fuel pressure. That will tell you weather the problem is the pump (no fuel pressure) or the injectors/computer (good fuel pressure but none spraying).

 

[kingjohnzone]

Re: Engine starts fine then sputters out

Its a 5.7 GSI PEFS

 

[kingjohnzone]

Re: Engine starts fine then sputters out

Thanks for the help so far. My mechanical skills are fair at best so solving this one on my own is challenging. What are the chances of it being the spark plugs? I checked them. They didn't appear to bad so I cleaned them a bit and put them back in. After doing that and letting it set for a few hrs it ran for 5 minutes or so with no problem. Revved up and idled fine then starting having the same issues but not quite as severe

 

[kingjohnzone]

Re: Engine starts fine then sputters out

High pressure fuel pump was the culprit