[mcmahome]

Good Morning - I have a 1988 2600 with 260HP mercruiser in great shape.  Couple of weeks ago I started out for a cruise with family and friends in pretty busy waters making the boat roll quite a bit.  Engine just died on me.  Wouldn't restart.  Fuel gauge bounces between 1/4 and over 1/2 and has never given me an issue.  I have made fuel runs when the gauge is damn near on empty.  Sea Tow came and the guy bet me I was out of gas and put 5 gallons or so in.  Motor fired right up and then proceeded to die within seconds.  Would not, and has not restarted.

Replaced fuel filter.  Clean fuel in there.  Tried to restart and there simply is no fuel getting to carb.  No fuel in new filter.  Figured its the fuel pump (mechanical).  Yesterday, I took the fuel hose off the motor and blew in it (thinking maybe I sucked up debris).

When I blow in the tube I don't hear the bubbling and gurgling of gasoline - rather - its just air passing into the tank!

Fuel pick up rod broken?  What gives?  I REALLY don't think I have an empty tank as I just put in 30 gallons or so before the illfated voyage.

Thanks for any help!

Mike