When the one tube in mine broke, is was cracked up near the top and as the fuel level started dropping, it would suck air every now and then.

the day it broke, we were out in Lake Michigan in 6 footers and the fuel was sloshing enough to let it run every now and then but I ultimatley helped burn the pump out by trying to get it to run long enough so I had good steering trying to get into the harbor and out of the rough stuff.

I left that bit of info out though when I took it into the dealer to get it fixed!

i would think that if you didnt keep trying to start it like I did, your pump should be fine.

My buddies '05 that did it this year, was broke in the same spot mine was and he tried starting once when it shut down and it wouldnt run due to lack of fuel so he just idled in on one eng. His pump was ok and didnt burn out.

I guess I'll never know how long it was sucking air but it never stalled until that one time, pulling into the dock, the other night. Pump only ran maybe 4 or 5 times after that.............trying to restart it and then checking pressure. Hopefully the pump will be OK. I had them next day the pick ups so I could try and get back in the water for this weekend

Thanks again for the feedback, it's been a big help.

Pat

I would guess your pump is probably ok. Like I said, I had no choice but to try and keep it running just because of the situation we were in.

Good luck! Hope it all works out!

Turns out that the starboard side low pressure fuel pump was toast. Bad fuel pickup sending aerated fuel to the low side pump, low side pump failed, high pressure pump emptied the cool fuel reservoir, lost pressure at the fuel rails, and the engine shut off. I guess there was enough fuel in the reservoir to start the engine a few times for a couple seconds but that was it.

Formula sent new pickups no charge, I paid for next day shipping to get them before the weekend. Local Mercruiser service center happened to have a low pressure pump on the shelf for $170. A few hrs labor and I'm back in business in time for the weekend.

Formula Guard would have covered the fuel pump but I didn't want to wait for the Merc service center to get to it next week. I'll have to read up on the Formula Guard fine print, maybe I can submit the claim thru my own place and get paid to fix my own boat.