Fuel Supply Issue

[FBPirate95]

I've already talked to TD about this, but I want to check with everyone to see if they have had the same experience.

The other day, my wife and I went out on the boat. When we cleared the no wake zone I opened up on the throttle and the motor stalled and shut down. I checked the primer bulb and it was soft. I reprimed it and started right back up. When I tried to open up again, the same thing happened. We wanted to fish so we just decided to cruise to a spot at idle speed. We fished for a while and when we started home, we had the same problem. I had my wife pump the primer every so often, and we made it back to the dock at low speed without the motor shutting down.

I'm assuming I either have a air leak, or bulb issue, or a bad fuel pump. Before I spend the money and replace the pump, is there anything else I can check to make sure its not something simple?

I will say I did go out today and primed the bulb. A couple minutes later the bulb had softened without me running the motor. Don't know if that tells me anything....just added info.

Any ideas will be appreciated.

 

[Rick.]

Re: Fuel Supply Issue

The bulb going soft without the motor running means one or perhaps two things. Could be your needle is leaking fuel by or the check valve in the bulb isn't working properly. The leaking check valve would not be and issue to me unless it went soft immediately. Not sure at this end how many carbs. you have as you never mentioned the motor HP or year. It does sound like your fuel pump is weak. If you have a portable tank try elevating it so it feeds the fuel without the pump having to lift it and see if that makes a difference. The other possible cause that comes to mind is the tank not being vented of the vent being plugged. Here again you could try a different tank of simply unscrew the filler cap. You never mentioned what TD said and I for one would not ignore his advice. Best of luck. Rick.

 

[FBPirate95]

Re: Fuel Supply Issue

The bulb going soft without the motor running means one or perhaps two things. Could be your needle is leaking fuel by or the check valve in the bulb isn't working properly. The leaking check valve would not be and issue to me unless it went soft immediately. Not sure at this end how many carbs. you have as you never mentioned the motor HP or year. It does sound like your fuel pump is weak. If you have a portable tank try elevating it so it feeds the fuel without the pump having to lift it and see if that makes a difference. The other possible cause that comes to mind is the tank not being vented of the vent being plugged. Here again you could try a different tank of simply unscrew the filler cap. You never mentioned what TD said and I for one would not ignore his advice. Best of luck. Rick.

Its a 1985 90hp. TD and I converted it to pre mix last month. Last weekend I took it out and it ran fine. 2 days ago is when I had the problem.

TD thinks its either an air leak or the fuel pump. I agree its one of the two and do respect his opinion. I just thought it would be a good idea to check with other people on the board to see if anyone has experienced the same thing prior to me just going out and purchasing a new fuel pump.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Fuel Supply Issue

Air leak or fuel pump, yes !! Check all fuel connections and if all good move on to replacing the pump.