I think I need a fuel pump

[sea wolf]

Boat is an '87 with a 3.0 Cobra drive. Hit the lake yesterday & at first ran at no wake speed. I then throttled up, engine ran fine for a couple minutes, then quit & wouldn't restart. Got towed in. I removed the flame arrestor & had someone move the throttle & I saw that the carb wasen't getting any gas, just a tiny squirt. I'm going out now to troubleshoot further. I replaced fuel filter a couple weeks ago. Just for the heck of it, I've been looking on the net for a fuel pump for this engine, with no luck except ebay, & both are used. Iboats doesn't list one either. What do you guys think?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: I think I need a fuel pump

I think you should do more troubleshooting. The fact that you don't get a good squirt may mean the the accel pump is clogged up.

When was the last time you did a tune up? Could be an electrical problem for all you know at this point.

 

[Showtime22]

Re: I think I need a fuel pump

Did you take the carb's fuel line off and have someone crank the motor to check fuel delivery. Maybe use a plastic cup to catch the fuel from the line.

My 350 engine had a stuck fuel pump rod so I installed an electric fuel pump from NAPA. Universal 4-6 lb pump. It works great. 45 bucks. They also sell delete plates to block the old pump off. I cut the metal carb fuel line and ran rubber line away from the block to prevent vapor lock.

You should wire it to a oil pressure safety switch to turn it off when the motor dies.

 

[Bondo]

Re: I think I need a fuel pump

Ayuh,... Make sure it ain't the Tank or the lines...

 

[sea wolf]

Re: I think I need a fuel pump

Well, I ruled out the f.p. I pulled the fuel line, ran a plastic hose from the line into a jar, primed the carb & it fired right up with good flow. I also checked the carb fuel filter, & it's clean. Bondo, I think the fuel lines are ok. The boat has run fine all spring, & I recently removed the deck access ports to check the hose clamps. No signs of a leak & the hoses looked ok.

 

[Showtime22]

Re: I think I need a fuel pump

So the fuel pump fired right up...or the engine?

If the motor isn't starting check for spark.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: I think I need a fuel pump

So the fuel pump fired right up...or the engine?

If the motor isn't starting check for spark.

No, the engine fired right up with good flow from the f.p. Got probably half a cup in less than 10 seconds before I shut it down.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: I think I need a fuel pump

My guess is a stuck needle and seat. tap on the float bowl a couple times with a screwdriver handle and see if the free's it up. if not you may need to take it apart.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: I think I need a fuel pump

My guess is a stuck needle and seat. tap on the float bowl a couple times with a screwdriver handle and see if the free's it up. if not you may need to take it apart.

Thanx, I tried that trick. No soap.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: I think I need a fuel pump

Well, here we go again. With all the lousy weather we've been having, & with work & all, I finally got around to putting the carb back on 2 days ago after doing a rebuild. She fired right up. Ran for 10 minutes off the muffs with no problem. Started it up again this a.m. just to be sure everything was allright. Went to the lake, launched the boat. It started, quit, & wouldn't restart. Got back home, pumped the accelerator, just a small squirt. Pulled the fuel line, turned it over, & the fuel shot out a good foot. Took the carb off & split it, & there's a 1/4" of fuel in the float bowl. Readjusted the float, checked the accelerator pump, & put it back together. Still, this friggin thing will not pump gas into the carb. Carb fuel filter is not plugged. Took it apart again, & the float bowl is as dry as a bone. I know the fuel pump is working. I checked it again. I don't get it. What the hell is going on? If anyone has any ideas, I'm game. I followed every step in the OMC shop manuel for a carb rebuild, but this damn carb has me at my wit's end.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: I think I need a fuel pump

When you rebuilt it before and after soaking did you wash it with soapy water and blow out all the passages ? The prep work on a carb rebuild is just as important as the new parts that you install from the kit. you may have a partially plug passage from the accelerator pump.

 

[Don S]

Re: I think I need a fuel pump

Sometimes a carb is not rebuildable, and needs replaced. Sometimes a DIYer without the proper equipment or experience doesn't know how to check or do certain things on the carbs.
I see it all the time. when the customer brings in a carb and wants it rebuilt. Pull the top, and it's obvious it's junk. But the customer has sprayed carb cleaner on it twice and it still doesn't work an wants to know why.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: I think I need a fuel pump

Sometimes a carb is not rebuildable, and needs replaced. Sometimes a DIYer without the proper equipment or experience doesn't know how to check or do certain things on the carbs.
I see it all the time. when the customer brings in a carb and wants it rebuilt. Pull the top, and it's obvious it's junk. But the customer has sprayed carb cleaner on it twice and it still doesn't work an wants to know why.

Thanx for the reply, Don. The carb is now flooding out. The engine will start, then floods out. I can actually see gas flowing out of the hole on the top of the carb. When the engine shuts down, I can see gas running out near the venturi cluster. I have adjusted & rechecked the float. And it has a new accel. pump. I'm wondering if you're right & maybe the carb is shot. I don't know what else to do with it. Am I wrong or could inlet needle be sticking? The cheap clip that came with the kit is a joke & fits poorly on the float.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: I think I need a fuel pump

I finally figured it out. The float although new, was bad. I pulled the carb & rechecked the float height & drop. I noticed that the side of the float was hanging up on the power piston, & despite me trying to adjust it, I just couldn't get it to work. I checked the new float when I bought it & it looked exactly the same as the old one, but the dimensions must have been off just enough to make it hang up. I finally said the hell with it & reinstalled the old float which I had saved. I didn't want to reuse the old float after doing the rebuild, but I had no choice. I put everything back together & the engine fired right up. It was getting dark, so I couldn't do the final adjustments, but hopefully my carb issue is solved. By the way. This was a new Sierra float, so buyer beware. I wanted to post this here, in case anyone runs into the same problem.

 

[Lundlubber2]

Re: I think I need a fuel pump

Good Luck with your carb.
If you need a new one, Sierra part # 18-7278 might be your pump. It fit my '85 with the 3.0. The website has pictures so you can match up another one if this one isn't it.