Volvo 4.3GL Fuel Problem?

[DjArgyleFan]

Hi all,
I did try to read through previous posts on this theme but can't find my exact problem. Hope someone can help.

I have a Regal 1800LSR with a Volvo 4.3GL PEFS. When I took it out on Monday it took a lot more cranking to start than usual but once started appeared normal.

At lower speeds heading to the ski area it ran fine. Once we tried to get up to planning speed the engine died in the same way as running out of fuel, backing off the throttle at this point did nothing to help & the engine died. It would start again ok, run at low speed but die again once the throttle was increased. Fuel tank is 2/3 full with fresh fuel. I suspected the fuel filter so removed & emptied it into a jar, it was a bit dirty but no sign of any water, I flushed it with fresh fuel, filled it & refitted. The engine started quicker this time but still continued to cut out when trying to run a faster speeds.

The engine then cut out and refused to start at all. After around 10 mins of trying to get it going we were losing power in one of the batteries so I tried looking at the filter again. When I removed the filter it was less than half full so I filled it again manually, refitted it and the engine started so we headed for the marina at just above tickover. The engine continued to cut out on the journey back each time requiring the filter to be topped up manually and on each occasion it would cover less ground before cutting out again.

Once tied up safely back at the marina we left the engine running at various rev settings for at least 15/20 mins & we could stop & start the engine as normal. Thinking that it may have been something passing through 2 of us cast off from the pontoon to test but with the same results. When we finally turned off the engine it didn't smell right, like it was hot even though temperature guage showed normal, it then over ran when switched off. The next day the engine would not start at all even with the fuel filter filled up.

I've been to the boat today and checked all the fuses under the dash as there was no meter reading from the 2 pin plug on the fuel pump. I then checked for voltage at the pump relay and had voltage there so assumed it was the relay & purchased a new one. Fitted new relay & started engine, warmed it up & increased revs. While engine running I removed the 2 pin fuel pump plug and after a while engine started to run out of fuel until the plug was replaced, then did the same with the new & old relay with same results so it appears there is nothing wrong with the old relay after all. With the engine running I also get a meter reading from the 2 pin plug going to the fuel pump but nothing with the engine stopped and I'm not sure if that is correct.

On tickover with the air filter removed there is a fine mist coming out of the bent over tube at the top of the carb and 2 jets of fuel can be seen squirting in when the throttle is opened. Everything seems fine until it goes back in the water and is put under proper load.

Sorry about the War & Peace length to my problem but I figure the more info I give the better chance I have of finding an answer!

Thank you in advance for your thoughts.

Martin.

 

[GettinBetter]

Re: Volvo 4.3GL Fuel Problem?

Hi Martin,
I've been having problems with my 4.3GL, here's my tuppence worth....

The fuel coming out of the bent over pipe on the top of the carb is because the fuel bowl is over filling, sounds like the cut off valve is sticking, or not shutting off the fuel from the pump.

The fuel pump is fed firstly, from the starter solenoid and only when the engine is being cranked, secondly it is fed from the alternator when the engine is running, both of the wires feeding the pump have diodes inline to prevent backfeeding the other feeding circuits.

I'd get a carb kit, and clean the carb out.....should sort it. (famous last words)

 

[DjArgyleFan]

Re: Volvo 4.3GL Fuel Problem?

Thanks, I'll give that a try this weekend & as it's been a little while since the last service I'll probably change the oil, plugs & filters while I'm there as it can't hurt to do that.

Fingers crossed!!

 

[DjArgyleFan]

Re: Volvo 4.3GL Fuel Problem?

Over the last 24 hours I have changed the plugs (although they looked ok), and have removed the carb, stripped & cleaned it and refitted. Engine starts on the button with no problem and runs now as long as you like on the pontoon. Driving is OK until you get closer to planning speeds and then it still dies like it's running out of fuel. The fuel filter looks clean inside and fuel is pumping up to the carb when turning the engine over. Is there another filter inside the tank that could be blocked does anyone know? Also I've read in a few fuel related posts about a siphon valve, could that be causing an issue?

Again, many thanks in advance for any ideas!

Martin

 

[Lynall]

Re: Volvo 4.3GL Fuel Problem?

Isnt there a filter in the carb?


Lynall

 

[DjArgyleFan]

Re: Volvo 4.3GL Fuel Problem?

Yes, there's a little metal one inside the inlet assembly brass nuts, that one was all clear. Not sure if this will shed any light but when it "runs out" the fuel filter/water seperator is only about a third full. Would that suggest that the problem is between the tank & the fuel filter?

 

[dypcdiver]

Re: Volvo 4.3GL Fuel Problem?

Definitely sounds as if there is a problem getting fuel from the tank. As a temporary measure get a can of petrol and a length of hose, connect the hose to the intake connection of the filter and the other end in the can then see if the pump will pull fuel from the can.
Just to stop you getting confused, the pumps will only run for 2 seconds when you turn the ignition on (safety feature), however cranking and engine running they run full time, that is the reason you had no power to the pump! If you get everything sorted right back to the pickup gauze in the tank and there are still problems fit a length of clear plastic hose in the supply line and see if there are any traces of air being sucked in, if yes, then you have to find the leak in the supply line and cure that. Best of luck.

 

[DjArgyleFan]

Re: Volvo 4.3GL Fuel Problem?

Have now tried all the above and the problem has got worse. I can't see how this is all related but I took it out for a test last night and now it won't run at much above tickover before cutting out. Again it smells a bit overheated but not showing this on the temp guage. Looking at the engine from inside the boat it feels & smells hotter on the right hand side and there is a wet bubbling noise coming from the air filter where the short pipe comes off the exhaust riser/elbow. (not quite sure what it's proper name is but the block that bolts to the top of the exhaust manifold and it has some kind of valve in it with the pipe up to the air filter?). When the engine died last night it took about 10 mins to get it running again and wouldn't rev cleanly even in neutral where before it was only under load that it failed. I tried to read up on this last night and those riser block bits came up a lot as failing at some time so today I have removed them to check. I can't see anything really obvious, the gasket appears to be sound but the outer sleeve that I assume is for water looks very coked/rusted up and the slots aren't clear at all. Now I really am stuck, new elbow/riser bits are very expensive so don't really want to replace unless there really is something wrong with them.
I suppose the question is... are all these issues related, if so how & does anyone know what I should do next. After last night the wife uttered the "not more problems with the bl**dy boat, you should get rid of it"... desperate times fellow boaters... desperate times!!!

 

[dypcdiver]

Re: Volvo 4.3GL Fuel Problem?

Sounds nasty!! Can you do us all a favour and start refering to location of parts as Port and Starboard as we have no idea where you are standing when you use left and right! Also use this site to reference part numbers http://www.marinepartseurope.com/en/volvo-penta-cat-7797477.aspx I know that outside of the USA you can't get onto the Volvo Penta.com site.
Sounds to me that you are not getting enough flow of cooling water through the manifold on the (right hand side????) Anyway the supply to both manifolds is from the 2 hoses that leave the thermostat housing and go to elbows on the forward end of the manifolds. You need to make sure that there is no blockage i.e. Remove the hoses and make sure you have a flow when you start the engine,. If so then unscrew the elbows and make sure no debris is blocking the entrance. You might have to remove the plug at the other end and use a hose to flush any debris out. Best of luck.

 

[DjArgyleFan]

Re: Volvo 4.3GL Fuel Problem?

Latest Update.

Thanks loads for all the thoughts & sugestions. I thought I'd update this as I know this site comes up a lot when you google a problem so thought I'd best finish things off.

In the end I took the plunge & ordered new exhaust risers (if you're in the UK Coastal Rides had them in stock for half the Volvo dealers price!) While I was waiting for them to be delivered I took the opertunity to give the engine a good going over. I removed the power steering pump, water pump, fuel pump, thermostat housing, fuel lines, alternator and carb, gave them all a good clean up & paint and did the same for the engine block while I was at it. Have put it all back together today and taken out for a couple of hours to test and the boat is running better than it has the whole time I've owned it. It looks like a little sea water was leaking into the exhaust in the riser and although I'm not sure if that was causing the problem it certainly can't have helped.

Again thank you for taking the time to read & post some comments here. It's a very lonely place to be when your boat is broken and you don't know why!

Martin.