Volvo Penta AQ125A No fuel from pump into carb.

[markmilkamp841]

Hello everyone I am new here but could really use the help with my 83 Bayliner Capri with a Volvo Penta 125a. I had it professionally winterized last fall and topped it off with four gallons of fresh fuel this spring when trying to get it started. The engine cranks over fine and will run a bit if I pour a cup of gas in the carb with some starting fluid. I am pretty sure it was an issue with a bad fuel pump. I picked up a used on at a dealer that I was told works and still no dice. I took the intake off the fuel pump and sucked the line from the tank--it flowed well. Needless to say I did not kiss my wife that night I also unhooked the outlet that screws into the carb and turned it over. No fuel comes out the outline from the pump. I then took the pump off, put some gas in the intake to fill the chamber and manually rocked the arm that sits on the shaft, while plugging up the loose holes--no fuel comes out the end. Is it safe to say the used pump I bought is shot? I hope its not a dumb question I am by no means a expert here. There is no filter in the fuel system just tank, pump, and carb. Am I missing anything else in the fuel system of any other reason why Im not getting fuel to the carb. When I cleaned the used pump out I did notice a healthy amount of black junk and debris come out, but air blows though. Any help here would be great.
Thanks
Mark

 

[Nickypoo]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ125A No fuel from pump into carb.

I believe you're not supposed to have an inline fuel filter on the gas line due to fire hazard in a marine setting. There's probably a strainer at the pickup inside the fuel tank. There's nothing else to the fuel system than what you described.

When you manually rocked the shaft, how far did it move? It takes a lot of force to actuate that lever. You may have just been wiggling it back and forth without actually affecting the pump diaphragm. You really have to push that lever up hard to make it work by hand.

Unbolt the metal fuel line from the carb and remove the pump from the engine. Try pumping it again with the end of a short piece of hose just dipped in a cup of gas, not attached to your fuel tank. Do this outside of your boat.

 

[dennis461]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ125A No fuel from pump into carb.

Pucker up for your next test...
Disconnect the fuel line from carbureator.
Blow into carb where the fuel line was, air should go in unless your float is stuck closed.
Do you have the PA44 carb?

 

[markmilkamp841]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ125A No fuel from pump into carb.

I believe you're not supposed to have an inline fuel filter on the gas line due to fire hazard in a marine setting. There's probably a strainer at the pickup inside the fuel tank. There's nothing else to the fuel system than what you described.

When you manually rocked the shaft, how far did it move? It takes a lot of force to actuate that lever. You may have just been wiggling it back and forth without actually affecting the pump diaphragm. You really have to push that lever up hard to make it work by hand.

Unbolt the metal fuel line from the carb and remove the pump from the engine. Try pumping it again with the end of a short piece of hose just dipped in a cup of gas, not attached to your fuel tank. Do this outside of your boat.

Thanks, I tried what you suggested and got a bit more action on the pump but still nothing comes through on the top end. I think the diaphram is shot in there. I went to the auto parts store and bought a 45 dollar in line electric pump and sucked the initial gas into it to prime ( Ive sucked a lot of gas today) it and the boat fired right up and idled down just fine. Ran great. after I secured things down (wires, mounting) I tried to restart and nothing. All the fuel drained back into the tank an my new little pump isn't quite strong enough to pull it all the way up. My next idea was to put a marine grade primer bulb under the pump on the main gas line to prime the pump when that happens, I figure that it will work because it did when I first sucked up the gas to prime the pump. Do you think that is a good idea? I have heard not to use primer bulbs in i/o motor set ups due to the enclosure but I cant see the problem. Thanks for you input, I would appreciate you opinion.
Mark

 

[markmilkamp841]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ125A No fuel from pump into carb.

Pucker up for your next test...
Disconnect the fuel line from carbureator.
Blow into carb where the fuel line was, air should go in unless your float is stuck closed.
Do you have the PA44 carb?

Thanks< I did check that out and my float is good and things go into the carb fine. I did get a little creative today and put an in line auto electric fuel pump (45 bucks at auto zone) in the gas line, plugged up the old cam hole with a plate, wired it to the starter with and an external switch, and after priming the little electric pump (more sucking--less kissing wife) the boat fired up and idled down fine. After running about 10 minutes I shut it down and mounted the pump and secured lines. After that I tried to fire it up again and nothing. All the gas drained back down in the tank an my little pump just doesn't have the power to pull up the gas all the way from the tank. Im going to try to put a marine grade gas primer bulb in the line so I can prime the pump when that happens. I think that would be enough to get the gas flowing. What do you think? Any other ideas. Maybe I will just cave and buy the new 80 dollar cam fuel pump.

Mark

 

[Nickypoo]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ125A No fuel from pump into carb.

The electric fuel pump is a no go. Another fire hazard. From what I've read at least. It's not safe on a boat. An electric fuel pump will keep running if the engine stops if it's not wired correctly.

This is a strange problem. It seems highly unlikely that two fuel pumps would be bad, and the electric one does not work. My fuel pump is almost 30 years old and works fine.

Are you sure you have gas in the tank?

 

[dennis461]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ125A No fuel from pump into carb.

Well, looks like the electric pump proves you had a bad fuel pump and bought another bad used pump.
Buy a new one and go boating!