Motor ran great then new tank and fuel lines

njmedic3306

Seaman
Joined
Apr 27, 2010
Messages
69
So I have an 1978 Johnson 6hp that ran great two weeks ago. Then I sold the boat and bought a new plastic tank (metal went with boat) and fuel lines from Walmart. The motor will start idles for a minute or so then dies. It appears its running out our gas.

My guesses...

1. on the new boat the motor is higher and fuel tank is lower.
2. maybe the "walmart" fuel lines are too long for the gravity fuel pump.

Any thoughts on my thoughts???
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: Motor ran great then new tank and fuel lines

No such thing as a "gravity fuel pump". Do you have the vent open on the tank? Is the primer bulb installed in the correct direction (as in the arrow pointing toward the engine)? If it ran with the metal tank it should run with the plastic tank.
 

njmedic3306

Seaman
Joined
Apr 27, 2010
Messages
69
Re: Motor ran great then new tank and fuel lines

I will check for the direction but I thought the primer bulb is always installed closest to the tank.

The fuel lines seem long (about 36 inches) could they be too long?
 

Rick.

Captain
Joined
Jul 30, 2006
Messages
3,740
Re: Motor ran great then new tank and fuel lines

No, the fuel line could be 30 feet long with no change. The distance of lift the pump has to accomplish makes a difference but if the tank is in the boat that should not be a problem either. I agree with above post you might have the line backwards or the tank needs venting. Best of luck. Rick.
 
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