85hp Replaced fuel pump diaphram, now engine won' start

[Maxum8989]

OK, here is the situation.. got a new used boat w/ 1989 85hp Force, ran fine when I river tested it, and ran well again the first time we took it out at all throttle positions. The next time we took her out she would only turn about 4900 rpm's(compared to 5200 the first outing) and lost about 4mph on the gps. Next time out another decrease in rpm and mph. Looked throught this site and diagnosed it as a fuel pump diaphram. Dissasembled pump and replaced diaphram ( had 2 tears in it). Put it all back together today and took her to the lake to make sure she would run for this weekend... Nothing... acted like it did not even want to pop. Sooo here's where I'm at; fuel to in and out sides of the pump, and all three carbs. Pulled plugs and all were dry. I am stumped! Would start and idle great even w/ torn dia. but now nothing!

Help Please! Thanks, Ryan

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: 85hp Replaced fuel pump diaphram, now engine won' start

Sounds like it was assembled wrong.How about the gasket behind the pump.If not then try this trick, tilt the motor up and then squeeze the ball.See if the gas will pass the needles.
If the pump is put together right and no gas at the carbs the needles are at fault.
Do a compression test just for fun.Post your results.J

 

[nthrnNYker]

Re: 85hp Replaced fuel pump diaphram, now engine won' start

You might have re-assembled the fuel pump improperly. Are you sure you re-assembled the diaphrams the way they came out ?

One check you might try....when you attempt to start the engine, choke it until fuel spills out of the mouth of the carb...if no fuel spills out, then the check valves are inserted in reverse (it happened to me when I overhauled my fuel pump).

If you need a photo of how the check valves are supposed to be, let me know and I'll upload a photo for you.

 

[huskerdaninva]

Re: 85hp Replaced fuel pump diaphram, now engine won' start

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I would be very interested to see the photos. I'm thinking I may have a similar issue with my fuel pump. Thanks!

 

[Maxum8989]

Re: 85hp Replaced fuel pump diaphram, now engine won' start

Good news! Stewed on it all day at work today and still could not figure out why motor would not fire... just seemed like everything was where it belonged and was 99% sure that I had put the pump back together correctly.
So removed the outlet of the fuel pump and turned motor over several times, lots of fuel came out, so I filled a spray bottle with mix gas and had my 4yr old son turn the motor, a job in and of itself ( I guess the key is hard to turn and hold with little hands!) While I sprayed the mix into the carb intake area. Motor sputtered and popped a few times then fired and purred like a kitten! Plan on taking it to the lake in the am. and hopefully my WOT problem will no longer be a problem!

Thank you all for your help and happy boating!

 

[huskerdaninva]

Re: 85hp Replaced fuel pump diaphram, now engine won' start

OK, disregard my previous request for pictures of the check valves in the fuel pump. Turns out mine were installed correctly, however, since I had my motor disassembled all summer I apparently acquired some mud dobbers taking up residency in the inlet elbow of my fuel pump. Once I cleared all the mees out the fuel pump acted as it should prior to start up. Amazing how that elbow flowing freely would help out so much! :redface: Don't I feel like a dolt!!! To quote Homer Simpson... "D'OHHH!!!"

 

[Maxum8989]

Re: 85hp Replaced fuel pump diaphram, now engine won' start

So, went to the lake this morning feeling pretty good about things, parked the truck, got in the boat primed, choked, and turned the key and ......no start! So once again I am "that guy" sitting at the super-busy dock staring at my motor wondering "why". So as I slowly depleted the battery in 10sec increments a coast gaurd guy asked me if it was no spark or no fuel? I said no fuel. He said he had a Mariner a few years back that he had to spray a little fuel into the carbs for the first start of the day. I told him thst that is how I got it started last night at home and would try it again now but for lack of a spray bottle. He said that he would just take the fuel line off the motor, squeeze the ball and off he would go. So I did thsat and she fired right up. So it looks like this will be my new start up procedure Anyone else have this problem?

Ryan

 

[foodfisher]

Re: 85hp Replaced fuel pump diaphram, now engine won' start

Remove fuel line from motor, squeeze the bulb and she starts? Did you reconnect the fuel line? Please re-explain the steps taken.

 

[Maxum8989]

Re: 85hp Replaced fuel pump diaphram, now engine won' start

ok, steps taken, 1) Remove fuel line, 2) Squeeze ball squirting fuel into carb intake 3)Quickly hook-up fuel line while wife turns key 4) engine fires up and off you go!

 

[foodfisher]

Re: 85hp Replaced fuel pump diaphram, now engine won' start

That leads to the choke and whichever carb. parts supply fuel during choking. Doesn't take much to plug a channel. Note: nonexpert reply.

 

[john from md]

Re: 85hp Replaced fuel pump diaphram, now engine won' start

Maxum,

Are you using the fast idle throttle position and choking when you start your engine?

 

[Maxum8989]

Re: 85hp Replaced fuel pump diaphram, now engine won' start

Yes, i am using fast idle and choke. As I squeeze ball I quickly squirt all three carbs. the strange thing is that this never happened until I replaced fuel pump diaphram and added in-line fuel filter. I might try removing fuel filter and see if that will alleviate the problem.

 

[jason32038]

Re: 85hp Replaced fuel pump diaphram, now engine won' start

If it works without the filter then you might have installed it backward.

 

[john from md]

Re: 85hp Replaced fuel pump diaphram, now engine won' start

I agree with Jason as the fuel filter should have no affect on starting if installed correctly.

Make sure your fuel pump diaphram and gasket are positioned properly and did not get bunched up when you installed the pump housing.

 

[huskerdaninva]

Re: 85hp Replaced fuel pump diaphram, now engine won' start

And a little more friendly advice, make sure the fuel filter is installed BETWEEN the outlet side of the fuel pump and the carbs.

 

[Maxum8989]

Re: 85hp Replaced fuel pump diaphram, now engine won' start

Dan, fuel filter is installed correctly and is between the transom and tank as there is no room between the outlet of the pump and the carbs. Pretty sure I got all the wrinkles out of the diaphram when I installed, but it was rather challenging to do so. Do you think that that would affect the cold starting though? It seems that that would affect other ranges of throttle and not impact starting as much? Not sure though.

Ryan

 

[john from md]

Re: 85hp Replaced fuel pump diaphram, now engine won' start

Verify the choke plates are closing all the way using the paper test. You put a 1/2 inch wide strip of bond paper in each of the carbs, have someone activate the choke and see if you can pull out the paper. If you can, the plate is out of adjustment. You can look in the book on how to set them up correctly.

 

[Maxum8989]

Re: 85hp Replaced fuel pump diaphram, now engine won' start

John, thanks for the advice I will try that this evening and report my findings!

Ryan

 

[Maxum8989]

Re: 85hp Replaced fuel pump diaphram, now engine won' start

So I went out to check out the choke, turns out that the selenoid/actuator that operates the choke is not actuating! Anyone know if this is a common problem for these to go out and how much I should pay to for a replacement? Als is there a test i can perform to see if the unit is actually bad?

Thanks for the help, Ryan