Engine Light Question

[triton tr22]

I have another problem and hopefully you all can help me out again. Last weekend I was on the lake and no issues, boat ran fantastic. This weekend the engine light comes with the alarm. This happed while idling and on plane. Approximately 30 to 45 seconds after the engine is started, the alarm and light comes on. Water pressue / oil are good and engine runs smooth. While this was going on, I experimented with the ignition key. When the alarm came on I would turn the key just far enough to stop the alarm, but not kill the engine. With that being said, could I have a problem with the ignition switch? Also, the problem did go away later on in the day and never came back. I won't know if the problem is gone until the next time I put the boat in the water. I did put in a new cranking battery before this all happened if that makes a difference.

Thanks for your help in advance,

[Danrude]

Water in the fuel.

[triton tr22]

I am confused, because the weekend before I was using the same gas with no issues. I did however put in a couple gallons that day the problem happended. Could it be water in the gas that I just put it or finally the gas filter needs to be replaced? Any reason why it went away later on during the day?

Thanks for your input,

[Danrude]

Check engine light with a 30 second delay and not going into SLOW points to water in the fuel. To verify you need to hook it up to the computer and retrieve the code. You can remove the fuel filter and pour the gas into a jar and see if water settles in the bottom.

[rude power]

if it was water you could of shook it up and away from the gas inlet.

[triton tr22]

I recently had the cowling off and seen what I remember as the fuel filter. Is it the little white canister thats hanging upside down on the passenger side of the motor? Do I need to split the lower case to remove it? The motor is a 2001 225. Its hard to believe last 2 times I took the boat out there were no issues with the engine light and alarm. Then this last weekend this happened. Do you guys think the water may have been in the tank all this time or the gas I recently put in had water in it? I never go below a 1/4 tank of fuel and use sta-bil almost on a regular basis.

[Danrude]

It is on the port side of the motor and you will have to remove the belly pan on that side. There is no way to know when you pick up water in the fuel! it depends on the amount of water and how long it takes to reach the electrode in the filter to set off the alarm. Remember it may not be water, you have to confirm that. and if you empty the fuel filter and there is water in the tank then it will happen again.

[triton tr22]

Thank you for your help When I do remove the fuel filter, should I expect a lot or a little gas to flow out? Would a rag be sufficient enough to catch the excess coming out?

[Bassmeister]

There are two electrodes that go through the center of the filter, when dropping down the filter, make sure the filter clears them so as not to bend them. Unless you tilt the filter too far, you will lose very little fuel. Pour what's in the filter into a clear jar and look for seperation. Also have a new filter ready to replace, never reuse, and lube the gasket with ob engine oil before installing, just like ya would an oil filter.

[triton tr22]

Bassmeister, thanks for the heads-up on the sensors. I have filter in hand will attempt to remove and check tomorrow.

[triton tr22]

Quick question, does anyone know if that fuel filter is also a water seperator? It's the small filter about 3 to 4 inches long.

[triton tr22]

Got my answer, it is.....thanks.

[triton tr22]

Last night I tried to unscrew the filter by hand, but it would not come off. Can I presume its "Righty Tighty Lefty Loosey' threads? I am going to buy a small filter wrench. Thanks in advance for your help.

[ChampioNman]

Yep get a rubber strap wrench.

[triton tr22]

Right tool always helps!! I poured the gas out of the filter into a glass....if there is water mixed with the gas, how long does it take to seperate and appear?