out of gas

[pikman]

I have a 1980 johnson 20hp motor. The problem i'm having is when i'm
slowly trolling It runs out of gas. The hose and bulb are empty. I squeeze
the bulb a few times and it will start again. I've put in a fuel pump kit that didn't help.Also replaced the two hose fittings to tank and motor and all fuel
line to fuel pump and carb. What else have I overlooked?

 

[Daviet]

Re: out of gas

I don't see a 20hp listed in 1980, could you list your model number? Is there a gasket between the pump and the block, is in in good shape? Is the hole in the side of the block that supplies the pulse open and clean.
Do you have the problem if you run at higher RPM"S?

 

[Rick.]

Re: out of gas

It sure sounds like your fuel pump isn't pulling gas all the way to the pump. Good questions above that need answers. If trolling and you pump the bulb will the motor continue to run without stalling? Have you tried running in a barrel to duplicate this problem? I really wonder if you got the rebuild kit in the pump put together correctly. Here is a link for a pump rebuild. I'm not certain it will match your pump but here's hoping it does. You might consider re-doing it just to be sure. Best of luck. Rick.

http://www.sschapterpsa.com/ramblings/Rebuilding_fuelpump.htm

 

[5150abf]

Re: out of gas

Your bulb will empty as soon as you start the engine, the engine pulls the gas through the line rather than pumping it from the tank.

Have you checked the pick up in the tank itself?

 

[pikman]

Re: out of gas

The motor runs good at higher rpms but the bulb seems to soften a bit.When i'm trolling I squeeze the bulb a couple of times every so often to keep it going.Would low compression cause this problem? I think i''ll check the tank pickup first if that doesn't help i'll redo the fuel pump but this problem existed before I did the fuel pump in the first place. Thanks for the all the
good ideas.PIKMAN

 

[Rick.]

Re: out of gas

It's not a bad idea to check the pickup but my thinking is it would give you more/same grief at high speed than low if that was clogged. What about the barrel thing? Does it do the same in a barrel? If your fuel pump is weak then you can elevate the tank higher than the motor (at home, not on the lake). If it works it will be further proof the fuel pump is weak. Rick.
Edit. Make sure all your hose clamps a nice and tight too (air intrusion).