weeks), particularly without a stabilizer, the issue sometimes may
be addressed by properly replacing the fuel with new gasoline.
Always dispose of unused fuel properly
onshore. Check with local authorities
to determine the proper manner in
which fuel can be off-loaded from a boat. NEVER dump fuel
into the water. It is illegal to do so as well as environmentally
damaging. Allowing fumes to be vented can also cause a situation
in which a spark or open flame could cause a fire, which is
extremely dangerous and could result in serious injury or death.
Never add diesel fuel to the fuel tank! Diesel fuel and regular
gasoline do not mix. Diesel fuel will cause permanent damage to the
engine, and such damage is not covered under warranty. If diesel
fuel is accidentally pumped into the Malibu system, all contents of
the fuel tank must be properly disposed of on-shore, and the engine
should not be started until the system is thoroughly cleared and the
correct fuel pumped into the fuel tank.
signifies that the engine should not be started due to the danger
of explosion from fumes. Even in the absence of a gasoline odor,
owners and operators should always visually check the fuel system
prior to operation, as directed in the Care and Maintenance section
of this manual.
The fuel system, including the fuel
lines, pump-in-tank filter and pump,
should never be serviced by any
person other than an authorized Malibu dealer’s trained service
technician. Special tools and training are required to safely
service the fuel system on all models.
The flammability of gasoline and its
explosive properties must always be
respected. At the first odor of gasoline,
the engine should be shut off and remain off until the source of
the odor has been identified, and the issue has been rectified.
Never start the engine if the odor of gasoline is present or if
gasoline is seen anywhere in the boat other than the fuel system!
Never smoke or operate any spark-
producing object within a fifty-foot
(50’) range of the boat when fueling.
Fumes from gasoline are more likely to produce an explosion
and/or fire than the actual fuel. Be sure that the fueling area is
well-ventilated.
If fuel is spilled, always clean up with
dry rags and dispose of properly
onshore.
Replacement parts in any portion
of the fuel system must be with
Malibu-authorized parts only! Use
of unapproved parts could result in a failure that creates a
potentially explosive situation or the potential for on-board fire.
Avoid inhaling or ingesting gasoline
and/or fumes. If gasoline gets on
skin, immediately flush with copious
amounts of fresh water on-shore; if gasoline gets on clothing,
immediately change clothing and do not store gasoline-infused
cloth on board the boat.
Malibu recommends returning to shore and refueling whenever
the fuel gauge indicates that the fuel load has fallen below
one-quarter (1/4) of a tank full.
It has also been determined that
continuous operation with ballast significantly loaded either port or
starboard (rather than evenly distributed) can result in damage to
the fuel pump as it attempts to compensate.
Even with the best of
care, some water may get into the fuel tank or separate from the
fuel that is pumped into it. If there is water present, it will settle on
the bottom of the tank. If the pump begins to reach any water, it may
cause malfunctioning in the engine.
Do not over-fill the fuel tank. Doing
so can cause spillage, which is an
environmental hazard. Fuel tanks
also expand and contract slightly to adjust to ambient air
temperature. Over-filling can reduce the ability of the tank to
respond, which can cause damage to the fuel system and/or boat,
which is not covered under warranty.
Review the Care and Maintenance
section of this manual for important
information regarding the proper fuel
to use, how to maintain the fuel if the boat will not be used for
a period of time, and other important information regarding the
safe use of gasoline in the boat. Always include a pre- and post-
outing inspection of the fuel system.
Use of incorrect fuel can result in
damage to the engine that is not
covered by Malibu. Failure to follow
maintenance requirements may also void the warranties.
When pumping fuel, do not leave the nozzle unattended in the
fuel fill. Although the fuel system has been manufactured to avoid
spit-back of fuel, and most gasoline dispensers will shut off if
removed from fuel fill, it is always a wise consideration to provide
full attention to the process.
82—Engines & Powertrains
Fuel Information
The minimum octane requirement for a M-Series engine is
87 (R+M)/2) or 92 Euro RON. Minimum octane requirement for the
LT4 is 91 (R+M)/2 or 95 Euro RON. When possible, use 93 octane if
available as this will ensure the best performance possible from the
engine. (Boaters outside the U.S. and Canada should confer with their
authorized Malibu dealer to determine the correct fuel grading, as it
is often graded differently from how it is designated in the U.S. and
Canada, which is described herein.)
Lower-octane fuel may cause deposits on the fuel injectors and
intake valves, among engine components. Continued over a period
of time, the lower-octane fuel could damage the engine, and such
damage is not covered under warranty.
One of the first signs of improper fueling is a knocking noise
resulting from spark plug misfire. Knock misfire will damage the
engine over time. Because the engine is equipped with a knock
sensor, operators will be alerted when the sensor triggers a warning
through the video screen.
Do not ignore such warning!
The engines are engineered to run smoothly. If there are any
symptoms of misfire, hesitation, poor idling or if the engine becomes
hard to start, such indications should not be ignored. If the gasoline
has been in the boat’s tank for an extended period (in excess of two
