28 SS fuel pickup tubes
 

Any formula owners out there that have had issues with sucking air from fuel pickup tube connections where plastic meets elbow in tank? 2006 28ss with 350 mags.
Also locations for tube access.
We had a situation running 2 to 3 ft waves bouncing around at 25 miles an hour for 2 hours. Boat has run flawless for 150 hours. Got back to harbor calm water both motors shut down within 5 minutes of each other while we were idling in harbor, calm water.
After doing the research I suspect the plastic pick up tube to 90° fitting on top of tank has lost its seal? Fuel tank was below half tank by the time we got back. I have run this tank down to a quarter tank already in the past and have had no issues. There should be about 40 gallons of fuel left in the tank.
And yes I have run two or three tanks of ethanol fuel through it, but I always made sure to put two or three fills of non ethanol premium fuel in it by the end of the season. Always stored with a full tank of fuel for the last three winter in a climate controlled storage facility.
Anybody have other thoughts on what possibly could have gone wrong? I highly doubt the cool fuel pumps failed within 5 minutes of each other with no other runability issues prior. Cool fuel modules felt nice and cool to the touch so they are getting water circulation. Motors have been heat soaked many times and never had a vapor related issue with starting. The one motor did start up at the dock 15 minutes later and ran for 5 minutes at the most and then stopped running again and would not start. It does sound like it's starving for fuel or has water in the fuel but once again had no drivability issues in the rough water. Usually with water in fuel it'll pick up a blurp of water and you'll notice it while operating.
If you turn the keys on the fuel pumps will run for the three second prime build pressure shut down, then go to start an engine will run normal for two or three seconds and then starve for fuel and shut down.
Thoughts?

Not to say that ethanol is the issue here, but "premium" fuel still has ethanol in it. Unless you're specifically seeing ethanol-free, or Rec 90, or something similar, it's still got ethanol and the octane does nothing for storage longevity or prevention of phase separation, etc.

Sounds like you need to put a fuel supply line into a separate 5 gallon gas can, to rule out the tank/pickup tubes, if you suspect they are the issue. I think there's probably something else going on. Take off the fuel filter canisters and dump them into glass jars, see if there's water after sitting?

Yeah the first thing I was going to do was pull the filters and inspect for debris and water. They do have about 170 of runtime on them. When I bought the boat they were supposedly replaced and I did pull them and look at them and they look super clean so I left them alone. I need to verify that by looking at my maintenance records.
I'll pull the belts off first and see if the motors run, I doubt if they will. Boat is on a trailer.
​​​​​​ Yeah good advice I think you're right I need to pull the fuel lines off and run direct five gallon tank to each motor. I suspect they will run but who knows I've been surprised before?

I had this issue with my 2006 292 Fastech. One of the pick-ups where the plastic tube connect to the 90° fitting lost its seal allowing air to get sucked in and causing the pump to lose its prime. Ended up pulling both pick-ups out and contacted the tank manufacturer. They provided pick-ups that have metal tubes welded to the 90° fitting. No more issues after that.

QUOTeDid you do the work or did you have it done? How did they determine the pickup tubes were bad? I'm still trying to figure out if I have a fuel issue or the pick up tubes are bad. It runs on a separate fuel tank. I still haven't put a clear line between the pickup and the cool fuel module to see if it's sucking air.
I don't have water to run the engines long so I'm debating whether I should take it to a local dealer here and have them finish troubleshooting it and just spend the money?

Both motors started and ran on the boat tank fuel, but yet they definitely had to be cranked for a longer then normal start up time to get them to fire up. I was focusing on the starboard motor because the fuel line was easier to access off the tank to take it on and off. When I revved it up to 2000 RPMs it acted like it would starve out for fuel and just come down to an idle and die. So it's definitely not vapor lock. I pulled the cool fuel module filters they were very clean and so was the filter at the bottom. I dumped the cool fuel filter cups gas into a glass jar and did not see any water. I cleaned the filters with compressed air and brake cleaned the bottom filters, compressed air cleaned them and put it back together. Then ran each motor on a separate tank of fuel. Each motor ran perfect no starving or idling issues at 2,000 rpms. I don't have the clear line yet to see if it's sucking air but I'm suspecting that I may have some bad fuel? It's either the pickup tube screen, if there is one at the bottom of the tube? the fitting tube connection or bad fuel. one of the three? I need to get a clear fuel line hooked up to the tank and see if it's sucking air. I'm debating whether I should do it or have a dealer do it because I may just have the fuel dumped. And the other issue is I can't run it on a water hose where I'm at. I have the front belt disconnected so I can only run it for a short period of time.
What are your thoughts on fuel separation? The fuel is one year old. I did 2 30 to 40 gallon premium non-ethanol top offs at the end of last fall before putting it away with a full tank , with Marine stable additive in a heated storage environment. It's been in a heated storage environment for the last two of three seasons. this is the first time I've ever had an issue with it. It's 125 gallon tank so there was probably 40 to 50 gallons of ethanol mixed in with non-ethanol premium. But I don't think that particular station went through a larger volume of premium fuel and it may be older premium fuel? I know I have to run it on a clear hose from the boat tank but what are your thoughts on the fuel?

If you don't have water to run it then yeah, you're better off bringing it to a shop. If you must, you can take the accessory drive belt off and run the motor for 10-15 seconds at a time to avoid burning up your water pump impeller.

Know of any reputable dealers here in the Milwaukee Wisconsin area? I'm looking for good mechanic.

Verified both pick up tubes are sucking air. Lots of air.​​​​​

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a29adb53db.jpg
Faulty pickups out of fuel tank. Super relieved it went well. Word to the wise, do not use ethanol fuel. It will attack and swell the plastic tubes.