1996 efi merc problems

[bob_rugratz]

We are having a issue with our 1996 efi 225 merc. Hers what we do , we head out of RRS marina. Get it up to wot and we go about 8 miles and it dies like it out of gas. I check the fuel bulb the first time immediatly but it was full. So we sit there a minute and then it starts and acts sluggish. wont hardly plane. It will do this every time and happen at exactly the same spot on the river about 8 miles.  So then we fish for a bit and then take off no problem. We had to fish a tourny so we held back on the rpms to 5000 and we made it all the way. 

[BassBUFF]

Did any alarms go off? Sounds like a fuel issue by your description but the hard bulb tends to discredit that theory. Have you looked at the fuel filter on the pump?

[Mike Cork]

Really sounds like a tank vent issue? But most times (not always) the bulb will be flat. Next I'm with BUFF and the filter idea

[bass1cpr]

   It does sound like a fuel issue I'd check the inline filter first too. Change it, it's only a few bucks and will definatley remove the possibility of that from the trouble shoot.
   If you have a water seperating fuel filter you may want to change it also. If problem persists then you may have a swich box, or stator/trigger problem about to raise it's head.
   With today's fuel I'd definatley be checking the whole fuel system back to the tank.

[bob_rugratz]

Just a note. With the stator problem. would that kill the battery also?  Its been so long since I have had problems with one.
We will try the filters.

[Mike Cork]

Yes a bad stator could be preventing your charging system from working. If you are running straight from the battery this will cause it to die as well. But doesn't fit with starting back up and running back in?

[freebie]

bad stator or switchbox, most likely stator. that stator has two sides, one controls low speed the other controls high speed. simple test is to check the leads with an ohm meter. check the blue and red leads and the blue/white red/white leads. disconnect them from the switchboxes and see what you get for an ohm reading. if it's a factory part you should have a reading of 450-600 on both sets. some aftermarket can be anywhere from 250-600. if they are the same or close to the same I would say it's probably not the stator. these are very common for mercs