Malibu Boats 21 VLX, Owner'S Manual

Page: 145 / 309

Review the Care and Maintenance section of this Owner’s 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.
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.
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.
Fuel Information
Whenever possible, use 93 octane gasoline! Admittedly, there are locations where only lower-grade fuel
is available, but to ensure long-term, high performance, the use of 93 octane is strongly recommended. In such
instances where the highest-grade gas is not available, boaters may use 87, 89 or 91 octane fuel, but no lower
grade. (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 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 warnings!
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 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 on-shore. 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.
2020 Malibu Boats LLC • Owner’s Manual • Page 131