1994 60HP won't start

[Lewis]

I'm fairly certain the issue is with the fuel pump, but not sure what to do next. The motor fires right up with a shot of starting fluid, but then immediately dies, so I think it has to be a fuel flow issue. Here's what I've done:
Fresh tank of gas, hose is relatively new. Bulb is in good shape and no leaks. And using the same tank and hose on my kicker motor works fine. I disconnected the fuel line from where it connects to the carbs, and pumping the bulb results in a good amount of gas coming out. But when I crank the engine (electric start), no gas flows.
So I installed a fuel pump rebuild kit (new diaphragms, gaskets, springs, etc.) and the same result. I'm at a loss - a mechanical fuel pump is a pretty simple device, and I was sure a rebuild would solve the issue, but nope!
Any ideas on what might be the issue and how to solve it?
Thanks!

 

[racerone]

Are you pushing the key in while cranking it over ??

 

[Lewis]

Most of the time. I've tried it both ways.

 

[Lewis]

Racerone,
You got me wondering. This motor has always been hard to start when cold. I just went out and pushed in the key without turning it. There was no click at all. Should I hear a click from the enricher valve opening?
Thanks,
Lewis

 

[Chris1956]

So starts with starting fluid and then dies? Sounds like a clogged carb.

 

[racerone]

Turn key to on.----Push in and listen for a click.----Use an assistant to push in key.-----Use screwdriver on enricher and near your ears to listen for " action "

 

[Lewis]

Chris1956, thanks for the reply. That was my first thought, and I should have mentioned that before I rebuilt the fuel pump, I disassembled and cleaned the carbs.
My biggest question is: if I disconnect the "out" hose from the fuel pump, and crank the engine, shouldn't the fuel pump squirt out fuel?

 

[racerone]

Fuel should PULSE out.----It does not pump with a steady stream.

 

[Lewis]

I must have done something wrong in rebuilding the fuel pump. I could get a lot of gas shooting out when squeezing the bulb, but the pump did not pulse out any gas when cranking. I took it apart, everything looked fine, so I put it back together and now get gas pulsing out when cranking. And it starts and runs after a shot of starter fluid. That's a big step forward.

But I do think there's a separate issue with the enricher that makes cold starting really hard. I don't hear any click when pushing in the key in the "on" position. I'll start troubleshooting that issue - and may be back soon with a new topic!
Thanks again for your help!

 

[Lewis]

So there is indeed an issue with the enricher. When I turn the key to "on" and push it in, I get 12V at the solenoid valve, but nothing happens - no click and it doesn't open. Replacing it seems pretty straightforward, although it is a little tricky to get at and it's not cheap.

 

[Lewis]

Just closing the loop on this thread for people who may be looking at it later. I think several problems contributed to the not starting/hard starting issue. First, I apparently put the fuel pump together incorrectly after a rebuild. After re-rebuilding the fuel pump, I could see fuel pulsing out of the "out" barb on the fuel pump when disconnected from the carb, and the motor would run properly after starting on starting fluid.
Second, the enricher valve was not working. It did not click, and did not open even though it was getting 12V when the key was on and pushed in. After replacing the the enricher valve, the motor now starts easily and runs smoothly.
Third, I suspect that I may not have pumped the bulb enough. The motor had been winterized and the carbs completely drained and cleaned. The enricher takes gas from the bowl of the top carb, and I think it takes a lot of pumping to fill that bowl when it is dry. I'm not completely sure on this, but it makes sense to me.
Thanks to everybody that helped me work through this!