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Swamplizard 04-25-2026 11:09 AM

496 mpi HO question
 
Hello all.

I have a pair of 400 hour merc 496 HO mpis and at 1000 rpm one burns twice as much as the other according to vesselview. Was up with that? What should I check?

also see a little fuel sheen on thirsty motor’s side when I shut em down. Not sure if related.

thanks

Swampy

Griff 04-25-2026 12:38 PM

Check Fuel pressure.
Check spark plugs to see if one or more look like its running rich.
Send injectors to Smitty/arcticfriends to be cleaned and flow tested.

Swamplizard 04-25-2026 01:31 PM

Thanks Griff. I assume my Rinda tool cant tell me which injector might be having issue.

F-2 Speedy 04-25-2026 02:31 PM

1K rpm is idle, whats it seeing at cruise ?

Sydwayz 04-25-2026 03:08 PM

400 hours, and 'something' awry...
...I'd pull ALL of the injectors and have them professionally cleaned, inspected, refurbished, and flow tested.

www.injectorpulse.com (Typical turnaround is a week. Xavier is a trusted resource and does the racecar injectors for a bazillion fellow racers. He can do any injectors.)
or
https://www.boatunlimited.com/marine...ting-cleaning/ (Not sure on turnaround time, but reach out and John will tell you. He has forgotten more about 496s than any of us will ever know.)

SB 04-25-2026 03:26 PM


Originally Posted by Swamplizard (Post 4946438)
Hello all.

I have a pair of 400 hour merc 496 HO mpis and at 1000 rpm one burns twice as much as the other according to vesselview. Was up with that? What should I check?

also see a little fuel sheen on thirsty motor’s side when I shut em down. Not sure if related.

thanks

Swampy

Can you check fuel usage at other rpms ?

Griff 04-25-2026 07:51 PM


Originally Posted by Swamplizard (Post 4946444)
Thanks Griff. I assume my Rinda tool cant tell me which injector might be having issue.

I'm not sure what a Rinda will show for the PCM555's. I have MEFI 3's and it doesn't show much.

Swamplizard 04-27-2026 10:18 AM

Ran boat a bit yesterday - both motors using same at 1,000, 1500, 2000, and 3000 this time .... couldnt do more as weather was rough in ICWW was packed!

When I tun STBD motor off, fuel sheen on water surface. Will check plugs next.

It cant be the idle sensor IAC thingy can it?

underpsi68 04-27-2026 12:14 PM

I would check your engine oil level. You might have a leaking oil cooler that is letting oil get into the raw water side of the oil cooler and out the back of your boat.

techman 04-27-2026 04:19 PM

Uh oh!!!

I can almost guarantee you have the Cool Fuel paint peeling problem and it has now entered into the fuel rail and injectors. You need to pull everything fuel related on that motor!. Get a new Cool Fuel module, pressure regulators and clean, clean clean. I HIGHLY recommend new injectors. The other motor is probably right behind this one. So I would do both.

This is the EXACT same thing that happened to my HO's. One started burning WAY more fuel, sheen on the water, etc etc.

Sorry....good luck!



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