'89 Cobra OMC 2.3L Fuel flow problem

[Anrx4you]

Hello all! This is my first post on iBoats and I have a problem.

I have a 1989 Bayliner Capri with a Cobra OMC I/O 2.3L engine with 21gal tank which gives me about 5 hours of runtime. In this 5 hours, It will starve for fuel 4 or 5 times. Each time, I have to open the compartment and squeeze the fuel primer bulb to refill the carb to get going again. The last time I stalled, a current was pulling me towards a rocky edged waterfall Almost lost my boat AND family on that one.

Here are some clues that may help zero in on the problem:
Tank vent is open and clear
Water/fuel separator is replaced
Fuel filter is clear
Gas is fresh
Carb rebuilt 3 years ago
Boat stored indoors
Primer bulb (suspect) Wal-Mart brand -there was no primer bulb when the boat was manufactured. I added it when I purchased the boat used.
Fuel pump (suspect), however reading the forums on the subject, consensus seems to be that fuel pumps are pretty reliable.

OMC has closed shop and the few local boat mechanics just tinker and charge, never fixing the problem(s) and never testing it. I can use all the advice well-seasoned boaters have. You all are doing the boating world a great service. An extra special thanks to iBoats.com (thumbs up).

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: '89 Cobra OMC 2.3L Fuel flow problem

Squeezie ball :remove it as it will get sucked flat by the fuel pump.The fuel pump on an outboard has a lot less pressure than a I/O.Squeezie's are good for pumping up the fuel initally.If your antisiphon valve is working you won't need a squeezie.
If you have the fuel pump with the rock filter in it you can remove that and put a good water seperating fuel filter in line.Jerry

 

[sea wolf]

Re: '89 Cobra OMC 2.3L Fuel flow problem

Why did you add a primer bulb? The carb on an i/o engine should not have to be primed to get the engine to start if it was rebuilt correctly. Me, I'd get rid of the bulb & see what happens. And I wouldn't blame the mechanics. You're the one that added the primer bulb where it doesn't belong. It sounds like you've had an ongoing problem. To be frank, you had no business endangering your family with a boat that runs like yours does.

 

[Anrx4you]

Re: '89 Cobra OMC 2.3L Fuel flow problem

Great thinking, Jerry! I think a bad check-valve just might be the problem. The primer-bulb was used just as intended, to prime the carburetor. I understand the problem of the bulb sucking itself in, but not in this case. The bulb is fully expanded albeit empty after a stall. It's more of an inconvenience than danger, but if the moon and stars are aligned, who knows. I think I would rather go out on the water with a bulb installed rather than go without one just to see what happens. The check-valve is completely reasonable. I think that's the only way I can get around the bulb.

Mechanics are hit-n-miss. Some are stellar... some are duds. We used our local mechanic twice. Once for this very problem. I suppose I could trailer your boat and deliver it 60 or 80 miles away and try your luck elsewhere.

I think you guys just saved me a few hundred dollars.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: '89 Cobra OMC 2.3L Fuel flow problem

Could also be crap in the tank getting sucked up and stuck on the screen at the bottom of the pickup tube, then when it stalls the suction stops and the crap falls away again.

ps...next time it stalls and your close to a hazard, throw out your anchor before working on the problem.

 

[Maclin]

Re: '89 Cobra OMC 2.3L Fuel flow problem

The bulb is ok once you get back there to squeeze it again, but how do you know it has not collapsed to cause the problem and then recovered once the engine dies, and you only see it after it has recovered.

I think you need to replace the bulb line with the proper length of fuel line, but that's just me.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: '89 Cobra OMC 2.3L Fuel flow problem

That should have a mechanical fuel pump.The ball is a waste of time.
Do you see a small yellow hose coming from the pump to the carb base?
Any signs of fuel in that small hose?
Sounds like the pickup tube screen is getting clogged in the tank or the pump is failing.

 

[Anrx4you]

Re: '89 Cobra OMC 2.3L Fuel flow problem

Could also be crap in the tank getting sucked up and stuck on the screen at the bottom of the pickup tube, then when it stalls the suction stops and the crap falls away again.

ps...next time it stalls and your close to a hazard, throw out your anchor before working on the problem.

Thanks for the tip Bob. The anchor would have bought some time. Good thinking. One more experience star for me Kudos to you.

 

[Anrx4you]

Re: '89 Cobra OMC 2.3L Fuel flow problem

That should have a mechanical fuel pump.The ball is a waste of time.
Do you see a small yellow hose coming from the pump to the carb base?
Any signs of fuel in that small hose?
Sounds like the pickup tube screen is getting clogged in the tank or the pump is failing.

Thanks Gary, for asking. There IS some fuel in that hose. I have seen fuel seep through it when over-priming. I can replace it with a pristine one and see what hapens. I'll see if I can get into the tank to check the screen. It's funny, but I can't find any info on a fuel check-valve in the manuel. Maybe the fuel pump is supposed to lock it in in a closed position and I have an air leak somwhere in that line. If all I need is a fuel line and that fixes it, I'm buying our local Coast Guard Auxillary pizza.

 

[searay3]

Re: '89 Cobra OMC 2.3L Fuel flow problem

The check valve (anti siphon) is at the tank where the fuel line connects. It screws on and is replaceable. If it is not there, the boat is not safe anyway. The line going into the tank as well as the anti siphon are metal. It sounds like you may have a leak if the fuel pump cannot maintain suction. Don S has a fuel system troubleshooting guide in numersous posts. Do a search and troubleshoot the fuel system in the driveway before you take it out again. On any river it can get hairy in a hurry without power. But you already know that now....

 

[Maclin]

Re: '89 Cobra OMC 2.3L Fuel flow problem

Thanks Gary, for asking. There IS some fuel in that hose. I have seen fuel seep through it when over-priming. I can replace it with a pristine one and see what hapens.

Fuel gets into that hose because the fuel pump diaphragm is ruptured, in other words the fuel pump is failing inside. The damage might have been started and is certainly exacerbated from "over-priming" the pump inlet chamber with the bulb setup. Any fuel in that hose for any reason at anytime means fuel pump replacement time.

 

[Coors]

Re: '89 Cobra OMC 2.3L Fuel flow problem

Don will castigate me for this, but, start here.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167561

 

[race4slips]

Re: '89 Cobra OMC 2.3L Fuel flow problem

hi, I have a 1987 bayliner capri bowrider, 2.3L engine. I just got it and I tried to start it, it turns over and starts for 1 second than shuts down completely. I took the fuel hose off the carb and cranked it over and gas was coming out. But when I pluged the hose with my finger, there wasn't much pressure felt. It has a cam operated fuel pump (mechanical pump). I hooked up an electric in line pump and it fired up right away and running smooth. My problem was the mechanical fuel pump. I also took the carb apart before testing the fuel and cleaned it all out cause I thought it was a dirty carb. I;m not sure what the pressure has to be but I think it's between 5-10 psi. If you can test your fuel pressure it might help. Good luck

 

[ne7800]

Re: '89 Cobra OMC 2.3L Fuel flow problem

My advice would be throw away the primer bulb install a electric fuel pump and i bet your problems will go away, also replace the fuel filter it only cost a few dollars and saves a bunch of time latter mine looked good and you could blow through it but i bought a new one anyway tested the old one by filling it up with water and nothing came out

 

[Anrx4you]

Re: '89 Cobra OMC 2.3L Fuel flow problem

Squeezie ball :remove it as it will get sucked flat by the fuel pump.The fuel pump on an outboard has a lot less pressure...

You were right about that. The squeezie was not supposed to be there.

 

[Anrx4you]

Re: '89 Cobra OMC 2.3L Fuel flow problem

That should have a mechanical fuel pump.The ball is a waste of time.
Do you see a small yellow hose coming from the pump to the carb base?
Any signs of fuel in that small hose?
Sounds like the pickup tube screen is getting clogged in the tank or the pump is failing.

You were 100% right. It was a failing fuel pump.

You are a true Fleet Admiral.

 

[Maclin]

Re: '89 Cobra OMC 2.3L Fuel flow problem

Thanks for posting those results. And, Welcome Back! I mean, it has been almot 5 years eh? Hope you have been busy boating all that time