Solex 44 PA on Volvo aq125

[travisherl]

Should there be fuel in the line between the fuel pump and the port on the front of the carb?

 

[Don S]

Re: Solex 44 PA on Volvo aq125

They normally do, but it's not a super big deal when the pump bleeds off pressure and the level in the fuel line drop. The level in the carb will not drain with the line.
What kind of problem are you having?

 

[travisherl]

Re: Solex 44 PA on Volvo aq125

Thanks Don. I was hoping you would answer. The boat was garaged for years and I got it out last year and had it running pretty well. My father left the boat outside for most of the winter and into the spring when we got ready to get ready for the lake. I've been having problems ever since. It wouldn't start. So far I changed plugs, wires, coil, points, and rebuilt the carb. Before the carb rebuild it would not run at low RPMs We cruised up and down the river for an hour full speed and it seemed to run great but still would not run when we backed off. After the carb rebuild and points it would fire right up and seemed to be running well except I think it was running too fast at idle (my tach works when it wants so I don't know exactly what it was). I was wondering if that gas coming through there was causing it to idle high. I thought that I had read somewhere that fuel running through there meant that you had a bad diaphram in the fuel pump. So I guess if that's not a problem, my new questions would be "What could cause it to be idling too fast? Would I need to do anything with timing after the changes I've made?"

Thanks
Travis

 

[captmello]

Re: Solex 44 PA on Volvo aq125

Yes, you certainly do have to retime the engine after changing the points. but first make sure you adjust the points using a dwell meter.

i don't think you should have fuel in the tube to the carb. Perhaps Don misunderstood...He'll stop by to clarify, I'm sure.

 

[Don S]

Re: Solex 44 PA on Volvo aq125

i don't think you should have fuel in the tube to the carb. Perhaps Don misunderstood...He'll stop by to clarify, I'm sure.

I may have misunderstood the question. I was thinking of the metal tube between the fuel pump and carb (the supply line), not the clear hose.
If there is fuel in the clear hose, then yes, you need a new fuel pump and it will cause running problems

 

[travisherl]

Re: Solex 44 PA on Volvo aq125

Thanks guys. Yes I was talking about the clear line so we know we have a problem there now. That leads to a couple more questions:

I have set the points with filler gauges and I believe I have them correct. Do I need to do something else with a dwell meter? - Not familiar with that.

Any opinions on aftermarket electronic fuel pumps? If I use one of them how do I address the old pump? Do I leave it on and cap the lines? Do I leave it on and leave the lines open? Do I take it off and put some kind of plate over the hole in the block.

Thanks
Travis

 

[Don S]

Re: Solex 44 PA on Volvo aq125

Setting points with a feeler gauge gets you in the ball park and depends on your "Feel" of the feeler gauge to tell if you are right or not. The dwell meter gets you exact. The 125's like a 62? or 63? dwell setting for best starting.

Stick with a mechanical fuel pump. They last longer and have less problems (electrically) than electric fuel pump. THe electric pumps also have to be wired in to the starter and an oil pressure switch to make them safe for boating.

 

[travisherl]

Re: Solex 44 PA on Volvo aq125

Thanks again. I have ordered the fuel pump and we'll see what happens when I get that put on.

 

[travisherl]

Re: Solex 44 PA on Volvo aq125

I replaced the fuel pump - it kind of looked like oil and gas were mixing in it. I started it and it seemed like it was going to idle down where it should but I quickly noticed a fuel leak from the banjo bolt on the carb. I cant get it to stop leaking. The gaskets were a little chewed up so I went to the auto parts store and they had some copper gaskets for break lines that were the same size. They told me that they should work but it's still leaking. Do I have to use the aluminum washers or could there be another problem? I don't know if I can find them around town and if I have to order them online I will have wait several days to get them. I was hoping to get it in the water this weekend.

 

[Nhpatriot]

Re: Solex 44 PA on Volvo aq125

a good auto parts store should have the correct crush washers. I would think copper would be fine but I think mine are aluminum too.
Make sure the diameter of the hole is right and the banjo bolt does have to be pretty tight. Not sure if there is a spec on the torque of it.

 

[travisherl]

Re: Solex 44 PA on Volvo aq125

You have to keep the hole in the bolt lined up so you there's not a lot of room to play with but I've had it very tight. So much that I was scared of breaking it. I don't know if the new washers were considered crush washers, actually they didn't seem as soft as the old ones and didn't seem to "crush" any even with me tightening so much. Maybe that's the problem. I went to O'Reilly's and we look for a long time before coming up with the brake line washers as the best option. I guess I'll look elsewhere tomorrow.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Solex 44 PA on Volvo aq125

Check the oil, you may need to change it if you think the pump was so far gone that it could leak fuel into the crankcase.

 

[Nhpatriot]

Re: Solex 44 PA on Volvo aq125

Good point about the oil.
I don't know what you mean about keeping the hole lined up. You don't need to worry about the hole lining up with the in coming line if thats what you mean.

 

[travisherl]

Re: Solex 44 PA on Volvo aq125

I was going to change the oil after I got it running but I'll go ahead and do it first. I don't want anymore problems. I wasn't sure about the hole but it seemed like one time when it wasn't lined up I was having trouble with flow. Maybe that was just coincidence. I will try to find some kind of crush washers today and see if I have any luck.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Solex 44 PA on Volvo aq125

I've had problems with the banjo bolt lining up and crossthreading into the carb. It comes from rushing and frustration with leaks when not using new crush washers. If you can get brass crush washers to work then good for you. The OEM washers are aluminum for the aluminum carb.

Don't want to make a big deal out of it, just a heads up.

 

[travisherl]

Re: Solex 44 PA on Volvo aq125

OK so there are apparently no crush washers in Louisville. So I changed the oil and decided to take another look. After breaking the check valve by trying to give it a little extra when it appeared to be leaking then searching all over for crush washers when I thought that was the problem, I now believe it is the accelerator pump that is leaking. I did a rebuild kit so it is new but it is very thin. I took it apart and put it back together to make sure it looked like everything was lined up correctly but it still leaks. Can I cut another gasket or put some sealant around the perimeter or is that a no no? What else could be the cause of the leakage other than the gasket? I'm working by myself so that's why I'm having such a hard time. I crank it then go back and see if it's leaking then try to determine where it came from. By then the gas has had a chance to drip and run.

 

[Nhpatriot]

Re: Solex 44 PA on Volvo aq125

If its the accel pump it would have to be a tear in the diaphram or crack in alum. How bad is the leak? Can't you start it and then find the leak? Carfull gas fumes sinl to the bilge. I try to run it and find the leak location first.

 

[travisherl]

Re: Solex 44 PA on Volvo aq125

Yeah I really didn't feel comfortable running it while gas was dripping but I have determined that it is definitely the accelerator pump. I don't see any tears in the diaphram. I cut a gasket out and put it on. It worked for a minute then started leaking again. I would consider it a pretty bad leak. Any thoughts on the permatex idea? I'm thinking if something is warped or there is a low spot that permatex would work better at filling the gap.

Also, it's still idling fast. Would that be a symptom of bad timing? I don't know anything about that and haven't done anything with timing since I changed points.

 

[Nhpatriot]

Re: Solex 44 PA on Volvo aq125

I think most permatex is "not for direct contact with gas" plus i doubt it would hold if the gasket didn't worrk. Where is it coming out, the edge or center?

 

[Nickypoo]

Re: Solex 44 PA on Volvo aq125

You might want to try high-tack gasket sealant for the accelerator pump if it's leaking. I use that stuff on everything. It doesn't get dissolved by gasoline or oil either. Made by permatex: http://www.permatex.com/products/Au...ts/auto_Permatex_High_Tack_Gasket_Sealant.htm "Suggested applications: ...carburetors". It's a little messy but it's good stuff. Acetone cleans it up.

I had the same issue with the banjo bolt leaking at the carb and crossthreading on that bolt. Luckily I was able to replace the crush washers and carefully reinsert the bolt and the leak stopped. But make sure that bolt isn't crossthreaded, if it is then the surface of the bolt head won't sit parallel to the face on the carb and it will leak. Judging from PiratePast40's post I assume it's a common problem.