Fuel Delivery Woes

kelly1022

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Joined
May 27, 2003
Messages
5
I have a 1998 Regal Ventura 6.8 w/5.0 Volvo Penta & 2 bbl. Holley carb. The boat has sat idle for approx 1 year. The fuel tank was completely full during this time. The boat is in Orlando, FL and was not winterized in any way. When I tried to start the engine a couple of weeks ago (with a bad battery, since replaced), I noticed a fuel leak at the accelerator pump gasket, so I pulled the carb off and rebuilt it with a genuine Holley kit. The fuel in the carb was very stale and starting to get gummy. I reinstalled the carb, connected the new battery, turned the key, and it ran... for about 90 seconds. I had to prime it again (with the throttle) to get it to start, this time it ran about 45 seconds. Started it again, ran for less time. Notice the pattern. As the engine starts to die, increasing the throttle has no effect. I have removed the bowl after one of these stalls and the bowl is completely empty. The seat and float valve are new from the kit. The float is adjusted properly, and in my hand it is working properly. I have had the pickup uot of the tank, the tube is clear and there is no junk on the screen. The anti siphon valve in the 90 at the tank will operate with lung pressure. The filter/water seperator is new. I have not done an extended run test on the electric pump, since the engine has to be turning before the pump will turn. the screen at the carb inlet is clean. I'm running out of ideas... I'll take any and all ideas and suggestions. Thanks in advance
 

snapperbait

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 20, 2002
Messages
5,754
Re: Fuel Delivery Woes

Kelly, if you can connect a jumper wire with a fuse from a "hot" positive terminal like directly from the battery to the positive terminal on the pump, that will turn the pump on which bypasses the oil pressure switch to help you rule out a problem with the pump or the oil pressure switch..
 

kelly1022

Recruit
Joined
May 27, 2003
Messages
5
Re: Fuel Delivery Woes

Thanks for the suggestion. I've also been thinking about hooking up an outboard tank with a bulb to the carb, and if the engine will run I could reconnect the pump and let it pump into another can...
 

kelly1022

Recruit
Joined
May 27, 2003
Messages
5
Re: Fuel Delivery Woes

Hooked up the aux fuel tank, engine ran like a charm. The problem is electrical. I've got no voltage to the pump with or without the engine running. I bench tested the relay and it is OK. If anyone is an electrical expert, I'll take any suggestions. (even if it means taking it to a dealer... yuck)
 

akriverrat

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 31, 2002
Messages
588
Re: Fuel Delivery Woes

on my 4.3 (5.8 minus 2 cyl), facing engine, lower right side near oil filter is fuel pump safety switch.rubber plug with 3 wires. no power gets by it without oil pressure.there is starting bypass wire from acc side of starter solenoid. there won't be any power at pump without oil psi or starter engaged.
 

kelly1022

Recruit
Joined
May 27, 2003
Messages
5
Re: Fuel Delivery Woes

Thanks akriverrat. That will be tomorrow's project. I think I should be getting an oil pressure signal because the gauge reads true. I also shut down and connected the pump power back up and ran a hose from the outlet into the aux tank in hopes of monitoring the flow, there wasn't even a trickle. Not even when the starter engaged. The schematic in the Clymer manual conveniently neglected to put this part of the system in the book. One other thing I did before all this got started. I had to replace the starting battery and I installed it backwards. (ouch) The key was not on, and when I turned the battery switch on, I toasted the diode pack in the alternator. The alt. is new, the battery sustained no damage (Iwas real quick on the switch). Is there something else that could have fried? The first time I had a hose connected to the pressure side of the pump, the only way I could test it was by cranking the engine, so I didn't run it for long, but I did get some fuel from it.
 

akriverrat

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 31, 2002
Messages
588
Re: Fuel Delivery Woes

mine has 2 cube relays. first goes to starter, second goes to fuel pump and distributor/coil. it appears from the crude diagram i have that reverse polarity could energise the second thru the alt field wire. to what effect i haven't a clue. hot wire pump while hooked to aux. tank and rule out pump. if it pumps gas its ok.
 

kelly1022

Recruit
Joined
May 27, 2003
Messages
5
Re: Fuel Delivery Woes

Mine only has one relay, but with no wiring diagram, I'm not sure how it all connects. I was looking at the 4.3 schematic in the Clymer manual and it looks close, but I'm just not sure. I need to hot wire the pump to test it, I ran out of light last night. I know there is no voltage in the pump power circuit, though.
 
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