How to Replace a Mercury Outboard Motor VST (Vapor Separator Tank) - Fix to Not Running

[@RobertDNC]

Thanks for making this great training video, I dont need a VTS yet and hope i dont, but your video got me prepared just in case

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hi Rob. Thank you so much for watching and sharing the kind words. We really appreciate it. Sure hope you don't have the expense of replacing one of these anytime soon but if you do, I'm glad our video could be of some help. Stay safe out there!

[@gerrydegruiter4196]

Thank you...started with a simple leak found on fuel cooling was told you had to buy a new one since it was not made to take apart...My 2008 Mercury 60hp EFI has similar parts as your engine...i used store bought o rings to seal my leaking fuel cooler needed 4 o rings on bottom and same for top. I found your video helpful to remove the fuel separator since its impossible to install the bottom fuel line to the fuel cooler. I replaced all the hoses and clamps at the same time and fuel filter after draining the separator....thank you again for sharing you saved me a bunch of money and time

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hi Gerry, thank you very much for watching and sharing your journey with us. Super happy that we were able to help you out and save you some money on top of it. That's the big purpose for a lot our episodes so we're glad it was successful. We hope you have many fun and safe days on the water ahead. Cheers!

[@YellowJacketGarage]

I liked how you set the whole job up with the description and then went fast motion through it all. Very easy to watch. Thanks for sharing.

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Thank you for watching and the feedback. I do really appreciate it. Always trying new things out with the format to see what works best for content and if I were watching to see how to do the job.

[@sherllavender1631]

I also liked your reply to a comment about learning to work on engines. I call myself a "shade tree mechanic" which means I wear a cap and gown from the school of no money, few tools, bold common sense and a desire to drive or use what is broken. Necessity is the mother of "Shade Tree" diplomas. Love you too.

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

It's where I get it from. LOL

[@eltruchero4618]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Very helpful!

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Thank you for watching and commenting. We greatly appreciate that and happy it was helpful for you. Cheers!

[@SICKNation1]

Let's get it! Summer time is almost here time to get the boat ready

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

First time owning a boat myself so I have no idea how this will go but I'm excited. LOL.

[@sherllavender1631]

You have "big brass balls". Every time I took the cover off, I was so intimidated by the congestion of electronics and fuel lines, I was frozen with fear. Great job. Hope it gives you many years of enjoyment. See you next time. PS - A boat is a hole in the water that you throw money in. Ha Ha

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. Believe me, when I popped the top the first time I had to take a step back as well. 20lbs of shit stuffed in a 10lb bag. :-)

[@SICKNation1]

What a success! Great job!

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Thank you.

[@edfisher6564]

I just rebuilt my 2012 50 efi fuel cooler, was leaking water 8 o rings and BAM GOOD TO GO. Do you have any idea that makes these fail 135.7 hr per vessel view mobil.Thanks.

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hi Ed. Thanks for watching and sharing. That's fantastic. Great job on your repair work. I wish I knew what caused these to fail but unfortunately I do not. Sad that it did with that low of miles. Cheers

[@surfvw1]

got a 2020 60hp with the same problem VST was not getting fuel to the injectors. It was in limp mode, and then completely died on me had to get towed back in. In the Bahamas right now got the part coming in with some guest going to replace it this afternoon. Already got the old one removed and ready to swap over parts. Have it up and running hopefully this afternoon give you a status update.

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hi Capt Stone. Thank you for watching and sharing with us. We really appreciate it. Sounds like one heck of an adventure you have there. Certainly hope this solve your issue. We look forward to the update when you can provide. Stay safe out there!

[@surfvw1]

@@SpiritedWrenchers Got it running after VST swap and changed all the filters, after test run found out the thermostat was not opening overheat buzzer going off. Remove housing and thermostat put it in pot on the stove no movement. It's pretty crusty. this is a 100hr service item. Motor 2024 looks like it has never been service now. got lucky on the gasket not ripping. Going to run with out a thermostat till get back in the US.

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

@@surfvw1 fantastic. Glad to hear of the VST result and that you discovered another small item before it did damage. Safe travels back to the states!

[@johncorrao9477]

Thanks for the video, very instructional. I have a 2006 Merc 75HP EFI 4 stroke that needs a VST according to the shop. The VST assembly alone is going to cost at least $1200 plus labor and hoses I suspect we are looking at $3000. How many hours did you work to get the VST out and back in. Just trying to make sure we are not being over charged for labor

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hi John. Thanks for watching and sharing the kind words. We greatly appreciate it. Yeah, those parts new are ridiculous in price. What you saw in the video is all it took. I sped the parts so people wouldn't get bored if yours is as easy to access as ours, it will take you an hour at most. I would highly recommend trying to find a used one like we did to save the money and if you can access it, it's an easy DIY job. We wish you luck and hope you can get on the water soon. Cheers!

[@tracinelson6153]

Thanks for video. did it take a long time to prime it?

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hi Traci. Thanks for watching and sharing the kind words. We really appreciate it. Didn't take any time at all. Super quick. Stay safe out there!

[@kens.8124]

Performing the same service on a 2002Mercury 60ELPTEFI. Purchased the new replacement VST from partsvu for a little over $800. Only thing I wasn't sure about was how to effectively 'prime' the system? Should the VST be filled with fuel before starting as well? Great video and thanks!

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hi Ken. Thanks for watching the episode and the kind words. Much appreciated and hope it's helped you out. Glad you were able to secure one from Partsvu. Great question on the priming as I hadn't seen anyone do anything special for it so I only used the priming ball as I normally would before starting it. Hasn't given me any problems since and I've taken her out 3 times so far. Good luck on your replacement.

[@ericelmer5289]

So my boat this season started out good and then a couple times later started sputtering then stopping, and eventually could not start it again. Took it in they said it was the VST what would cause the motor not to run because of the VST?

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hi Eric. Thanks for watching and sharing. We really appreciate it. Our boat was doing the same thing before replacing the VST. The VST has a high pressure fuel pump in it that shoots the fuel to the rails. If there is a part in there that isn't functioning correctly, the fuel won't get there the way it needs to or the shutoff valve isn't working within it that cause it to get too much fuel before sending it over. All of that plus more within the VST causes the sputtering and dying. Hope that helps and that you can get a used one to replace yourself. They are pretty pricey. Cheers!

[@Crappiegilmore]

Mine will only stay running if I pump the ball while it's running, you think I may need to replace mine?

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hey Crappie (love the name by the way). Thanks for watching and sharing. I'm not a marine mechanic but it could be the problem for sure. If you have a local shop that could diagnose it, I would recommend it. With the price of these it could save you big money if it's not this that is the problem. Hope that helps and we wish you luck with it.

[@gregktm]

Sounds to me like the low pressure mechanical pump which is easier and cheaper to replace.

[@cityislandrowing8266]

great vid... but you do not need to remove the lower cowling. That unit rests on a saddle grommet at the bottom, you only need to take out the upper 2, 8mm bolts, and the VST will lift right out.

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

HI City Island Rowing. Thank you very much for watching, sharing the kind words and tips. We really appreciate it. I was following guidance given to me on taking the lower cowling off but you're correct. If you've never cracked one of these open like me, it was a good exercise to get familiar with it all. Thanks again. Stay safe out there!

[@audineiaaraujo2985]

Ta faltando mais videos sobre esse Motor! 😁👍👍👍👍

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Thank you for watching and commenting. Much appreciated. Thankfully, I haven't had any other issues with the motor but if I do, I'll certainly make more videos of it. Take care!

[@SICKNation1]

Damn great job bro!

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Thank you!!

[@SICKNation1]

Shout out to your dad!

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

LOL. Have to.

[@SICKNation1]

This reminds me of an 80s montage it's great lol

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hahahaha. Thank you

[@SICKNation1]

Love the music

[@BuildNMotion]

One day I'll have to learn the mechanics of an engine and how to repair and upgrade them... One day lol

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

LOL. I'm no expert and not even close to ASE level but I figure with the right number of resources out there if I can't find the exact answer/way, I can at least find enough to where the rest makes sense to me. I never tested well for engineering but my desire to save money and learn wins over what the tests say. :-) Make it happen buddy. Thank you for watching!

[@wildhorse1966]

sounds like they wanted you to just buy the whole vst so they coached you to replace the whole thing .. you can replace the pump and clean the tank out instead of wasting $400 for a used part you have no idea the condition of i believe i spent less then $100 for pump and the oring gasket

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Congratulations on being able to do it for less. I knew the pump I purchased worked and had a warranty so I was not concerned, but we appreciate you sharing your story.

[@SICKNation1]

😵😵😵😵😵 1200 bucks ouch!

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

IKR. Ridiculous.

[@ronkeogh9015]

After watching I don’t want to attempt it. Not a gear head

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Hi Ron. Thanks for watching and commenting. I would actually rate this a 2 or 3 out of 10 in difficulty. If you have the simple tools, its pretty easy. The one thing I would suggest once you take the casing off is take pictures of where everything goes so when you take it off, its even easier. Nevertheless we wish you the best if you're needing to replace it. Stay safe!