Eska 9.9 fuel issue

[jdhgcb]

I have an old eska 9.9 mid 70's i think. I am having a fuel issue. with the stock (but all new) fuel connector, rebuilt carb including fuel pump. the thing runs awesome but I am having a problem with it running out of fuel. I have narrowed it down to the fuel connection. it is letting air through if I blow on it, letting fuel through when I prime it, but when running it doesn't seem to be able to suck the fuel through it. If I run a line straight from the primer bulb to the carb, no problem. but when I connect everything correctly it dies. it seems to be worse when cold, but today I couldn't keep it running. any ideas? suggestions? I am thinking of switching to a different fuel connector like an evinrude or Johnson or just running the line straight from the bulb.. Maybe my Priming routine is wrong? open the vent, prime the bulb until firm and then once more.????

 

[MahtyMaht]

Re: Eska 9.9 fuel issue

It almost sounds like the fuel line connection some shere is allowing the fuel pump to suck in air - I'd be puttin' the stink eye on connections, and looking for cracks or other holes.

 

[jdhgcb]

Re: Eska 9.9 fuel issue

good point. I was thinking the connector was restricting fuel, but taking in air is also possible. so removing that connector will still solve it. I know its not a hose connection or hose cause it only does it with the connector. thanks for the input

 

[mrcrabs]

Re: Eska 9.9 fuel issue

look close at the male connectors O ring, the tend to harden up and crack. I have several motorless junkers I let set in the sun with the connectors pointed up...UV's got to them perty quick.

just as a side note here, I'm sure this is not your problem but the 9.9 and 15hp has a different higher float setting than the single cylinders

 

[MahtyMaht]

Re: Eska 9.9 fuel issue

Damned good diagnostic tidbit, Mr C. - I bet the only reason I never banged my head against that problem, is that my 7.5 was missing the fitting when I got it, so I've never used anything but a new one.

 

[jdhgcb]

Re: Eska 9.9 fuel issue

BUMP and update. I changed to a johnson connector and same problem. then I noticed the "nipple" on the fuel pump that the fuel line attaches to was loose and fell out. so I figured it was getting air from there. fixed that and then it worked fine for the rest of the night. now today, ran fine for a few minutes then died. restarted and then ran great no dying.

So now I am now leaning toward maybe a worn crankshaft seal letting air in? maybe I should also mention that it does seam to smoke a little more than I think it should. mixed it per manual I think 50:1. In my experience though if the main seal was leaking air, wouldn't the idle RPM's be high and the mixture would be lean?

any suggestions

 

[mrcrabs]

Re: Eska 9.9 fuel issue

time to check the compression

 

[MahtyMaht]

Re: Eska 9.9 fuel issue

I'm skeptical about the crank seal. How did you fix the fuel nipple? I like the the smoke, it means you're not burnin' the durned thang down with lube starvation, which is the shortest route to a burnt crank seal. I did that to a 7.5hp single, and it ran fine at high and mid RPM, but it was a nightmare to start once it was warmed up, maybe because it was lean. I don't see the crank seal as intermittent, though. Wish I could be of more use here.

 

[jdhgcb]

Re: Eska 9.9 fuel issue

fuel nipple fixed by tapping back into place with small ball peen and epoxy stick from cabellas. I know it sounds like a mickey mouse fix but it has done amazing things with anything aluminum in the past so......

compression check? elaborate. I know what it is, but why? are you suggesting that there is not a good enough ring seal to create the vacuum to bring the fuel in?

 

[mrcrabs]

Re: Eska 9.9 fuel issue

I am having a fuel issue. with the stock (but all new) fuel connector

i missed the all new part. that should rule out fuel restriction at the connections

So now I am now leaning toward maybe a worn crankshaft seal letting air in?

a leaking seal will let pressure out, I would be thinking uneven compression between cylinders or take another look at the fuel pump,
Do you have a 380 type engine or a 381? I miss stated that the 9.9 & 15 had different float settings actually the external pump of the of the 381 engine has the higher .155-.217 float setting vs the internal pump 380's .185-.235 setting.

I use the stock chrysler fuel fittings on 5/16 fuel line and if I over reved my 383A 15 hp it will push fuel out of the over flow in certain wild conditions, I have the internal pump and my float is set at about .225, I get to much gas when I idle around, I'm thinking I need to run my float closer to the .235 and maybe bump up my timing a tad higher, Float settings are not such a big deal on the single but these twins have a bigger appetite for fuel and seem to be real touchy about timing. but all in all I seem to have mine running good now after drifting down the Ohio river for a couple hrs thursday and cranking my butt off and retuning...talk about nautical nonsense


Also you know the trigger sleeves woodruff keyway on these things wear and get wide causing crazy advance at startup and idle, people often complain about idle issues with the Tecumseh twin....well theres part of it, I would have never known had I not got my hands on a new sleeve.

Another thing with all outboards is test tank back pressure vs real world back pressure, I found I will have to do my tuning on this twin at the river.

 

[MahtyMaht]

Re: Eska 9.9 fuel issue

Mr. Crabs will correct me if I'm wrong, here, but if the seal was bad, you'd lose fuel pump pulse pressure, (risking less fuel to the bowl), and vacuum at the venturi. The usual repair for the nipple falling off seems to be gluing it back on, but I think JB Weld is what I see used most often. I don't think the car cares what you use, as long as gasoline can't wash it out. I'm with Crabs - I'd be double checkin' that float spec.

 

[mrcrabs]

Re: Eska 9.9 fuel issue

I agree, but I would want to check out the compression too, and you can get the new flapper cover fuel inlet with nipple from BPT or certified for about $7...those little buggers can warp, the manual calls for flushing with emory on glass,I like to do the same on the carb flang.

 

[jdhgcb]

Re: Eska 9.9 fuel issue

Mr. Crabs will correct me if I'm wrong, here, but if the seal was bad, you'd lose fuel pump pulse pressure, (risking less fuel to the bowl), and vacuum at the venturi.

that was my thought.

with the float level suggestions, that should cause a consistent issue. mine is a intermittent issue. plus at idle when using the least amount of fuel, a low float level should be less of a problem right? the problem happens at idle, half throttle, full throttle and everywhere in between. then as it warms up it seems to do it less or not at all. other times it won't do it at all. other times I can even take it out very far because I cant keep it running. I am running 1/4 fuel line, should I step up to 5/16?

let me also restate that in the test tank(where most of my tinkering with it takes place) when I run the fuel line straight from the tank to the primer bulb the to the fuel pump with no other connectors it seems to stay running just fine.

 

[mrcrabs]

Re: Eska 9.9 fuel issue

If the float level looks close to original setting and the needle seats well then chances are theres no problem there, you say up top on your fist post your hose connection is letting in air, theres your first problem, Theres several thing that could cause intermittent issues, Like I have said before I see that the trigger sleeves get worn out messing with the advance at start up and causing the engine to run hot and beat itself to death with detonation at moderate rpm's...but you answed your own question, when you run the hose to the inlet it runs fine.


You know mine takes in some air between the connector and flapper cover, I have the yellow clear 1/4 line, my female hose end is a year old and works great on other eska's but my male O ring looks dry on this 15 GF, I'm going to put a new male fitting on mine , but I'm pumping plenty of gas and I have a floading issue if I idle around a bit ( imay have venting issues letting in to much gas)... , I need hotter plugs and setup my timing by a tad. Also I used Johnson engine tunner on it and didn't change the plugs but they were new?? tuner always does in my spark plugs on my J/E 70.

Good luck.