odd problem with pontoon boat.

[Silver Eagle]

A couple of weeks ago i got our 24 ft pontton boat out of winter storage. It's been sitting across the street from our summer home since then A couple of days ago I decided to clean it up and start it up. Well it cranked over but it wouldn't start. So I started to look around to see why it wouldn't start. It seems that it's not getting any gas. I have an inline filter on the hose coming from the tank.Yes the arrow is facing the right way. I changed the rubber pump three times. I even removed the filter and squeezed the pump and still no gas. The gas tank is full So today I towed the boat back to the marina and told them to fix it. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: odd problem with pontoon boat.

Did you put a spare motor fuel fitting at the motor end of the hose to try it., It cant pump against the clip on fitting it has a check valve to prevent fuel leaks.. So to test the line and pump you have to put a fitting in the clip one end.

And its very possible that over the winter the ethanol in the line ate up the insides on the rubber lines.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: odd problem with pontoon boat.

no fitting, and The tank was drained before winterizing.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: odd problem with pontoon boat.

well it has to have a fitting or have the clip on fitting removed before it will pump, but their may be another problem being as im sure it was all hooked when you were trying to start it.

 

[Triphammer]

Re: odd problem with pontoon boat.

You've replaced thee pump bulb three times? Were these new? There is a check valve in either end of the bulb, if either one doesn't seal it won't work. Also, the smallest of air (vacuum ) leaks between the bulb & tank, it won't work. Does the tank have a quick connect? they can leak air (vacuum) when the o - ring goes/ cracks/ drys out.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: odd problem with pontoon boat.

Brand new pumps. ,no quick connects, all hoses have hose clamps on tight. full tank of gas. When I removed the hose going to the engine and tried to pump the gas into a bottle nothing came out.I guess the marina will tell me soon.I thing it has to do something with the fuel water seperator, I just don't know what. It was serviced 10/11

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: odd problem with pontoon boat.

Any word back silver eagle

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: odd problem with pontoon boat.

[I'm going to stop by the marina tomorrow morning to see if they found out anything yet. Got to cut grass near by at our summer place anyway. won't be in the area until next monday after that. .We have to take our Hot Rod PT Cruiser to a car show in Clarion Pa Friday and Saturday.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: odd problem with pontoon boat.

Got the boat back today.It seems that I don't know how to pump the bulb.They said that they pumped it three times and they got gasoline into the see through filter. They said that I should point the arrow up when pumping the pump. Instead of the way I do it. which is just pump it. They started it up and everything works fine. Cost $78.17

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: odd problem with pontoon boat.

mmmm well thats a new one to me, I just also bend over the back rail, grab it and pump. All these years I have ben doing it wrong.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: odd problem with pontoon boat.

Often the aftermarket primer bulbs check valves do not have near the 'spring pressure' to seat the one-way valves in the bulb, holding the bulb so it it pumping vertically, causes gravity to assist sealing the valves.

Seen this a lot on pontoons where the primer is usually 'hanging' inverted (pointing down), not so much a problem on fishing boats as the bulb lays on it side.

Just a habit, thatt when I run into a bulb that doesn't 'feel right' on the first squeeze or two, I point it up and all works well.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: odd problem with pontoon boat.

It's supposed to be in the high 90's this weekend after we get back from a car show in NJ on Sunday maybe we will put the boat in the water on Monday.It hasn't been in the water since last September.