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Failed fuel pump?

J

jclays

Regular Contributor
Twin 1969 350's 1966 Californian. Starboard engine stalled the other night when heading back into my slip. Would not restart for the longest time. Finally restarted and docked the boat. Yesterday restarted idled for a few minutes then stalled out. Would not start. Checked carb no fuel entering carburetor Pulled wire from coil so not to start, removed hose from carb and inserted into a gas can. Had wife crank the engine. No fuel being pumped (mechanical pump). Bad Pump??
 
It could be that and if so make sure you are not pumping gas into the crankcase (on the of chance that some one did not put a marine fuel pump on). It could also be a plugged filter, collapsed fuel line, plugged vent. I woluld start at one end and work my way through with the process of elimination. One thing you could also do would be to take an electric fuel pump and hook it in prior to the mecanical pump and see if it pumps. That would eliminate any problems up to the pump. Good luck and have a happy safe new year.
 
missnancy said:
It could be that and if so make sure you are not pumping gas into the crankcase (on the of chance that some one did not put a marine fuel pump on). It could also be a plugged filter, collapsed fuel line, plugged vent. I woluld start at one end and work my way through with the process of elimination. One thing you could also do would be to take an electric fuel pump and hook it in prior to the mecanical pump and see if it pumps. That would eliminate any problems up to the pump. Good luck and have a happy safe new year.
Click to expand...
Fuel pump is Delco marine. I installed it 6 years ago. Filters are new (spin on canister water separating type) 3/8 rubber marine fuel line in good shape, round still pliable.
 
jclays said:
Fuel pump is Delco marine. I installed it 6 years ago. Filters are new (spin on canister water separating type) 3/8 rubber marine fuel line in good shape, round still pliable.
Click to expand...

That's all well and good but you have to start somewhere and the best starting point is at the fuel tank...see if fuel is actually getting out of the tank through the filters and to the pump. I agree with missnancy, hook in an electric pump prior to the crankcase pump and see if you are getting fuel to the engine...for starters.

If you have easy fuel flow to the crankcase then I would suspect the mechanical pump but I wouldn't start at the mech. pump until I was certain there was good fuel flow to the mech. pump.
 
To elimate problems in the tank (clogged screen, bad anti siphon valve, hoses) you can connect a remote tank directly to the fuel pump inlet and see if fuel flows then. If so then you know where to look. If not you have a bad fuel pump, fuel pimp push rod or bad lobe on the camshaft. If bad camshaft lobe you could install an electric MARINE fuel pump but it must be wired thru an oil pressure safety switch to be compliant. Some have installed a dash mounted momentary bypass switch on the dash in order to fill the carb bowl prior to cranking
 
Rather than messing around with an external fuel supply, and all of the connecting, etc, etc, this is a perfect oportunity to check your fuel tank pick-up tube and screen, if so equipped.
Just simply remove it from the fuel tank and inspect it..... and check the anti-siphon vavle function while you're there.

If you own a Tempo Oil Boy extractor tool, use it to pull a vacuum on the fuel line right where it would normally connect to the mechanical fuel pump.
If it pulls fuel easily, then your system is likely OK.

I rarely suggest throwing parts at a problem as a cure, but in the case of an older fuel pump, I'll make an acception to this. Here's a Holley 712-454-11 Marine Mechanical Fuel Pump for $115.
If you have any buying power, you may do better on price.


.
 
you can always pull one of the 'extra' pipe plugs on the head of the spin on filter and install a vacuum gauge to see if the pump is creating suction...could be the pump or a restriction between it and the pickup in the tank...
 
I has the same symptoms on both my 454 crusaders - both were fuel pump related and I replaced both of them. The ethanol ate the guts out of them. Make sure you know what your doing when replacing the pump. the push rod needs to be seated in the correct position or you could get the rod stuck.

Good luck hope this helps - one other thing to check is if there is air being drawn in from the fuel cannister seals - that happened to me as well due to the old style fuel filter cannister o ring/ cork seals sucking air. I changed mine out to the racor exchangeable filter types and have had no issues since
 
makomark said:
Amen on getting rid of the old OEM canister filters!
Click to expand...

Hi Mark..... I have been using the spin on canister filters since I bought the boat and have never had any problems...why "get rid " of them..??:confused:..asking cause I don't know the reason :rolleyes:
 
willow said:
Hi Mark..... I have been using the spin on canister filters since I bought the boat and have never had any problems...why "get rid " of them..??:confused:..asking cause I don't know the reason :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
I'll take a stab here that Mark was talking about the older style canister with the replacement filter element.

cru97889steelbowl.jpg
images


Not today's spin on filter cartridge style.
CRU98041.jpg


A true water sepearting fuel filter systems is offered by RACOR.... also offered by Sierra, GLM and Mallory these days.

RAC320RRAC02%20lg.jpg




.
 
Hi Don!

Sorry for the lag but this divorce stuff has been chewing a lot of my time and the few $$ I have left.

Yes, the OEM supplied canister filters...why eliminate them? On our install, they weren't readily accessible. The shells we had were rather thin and they start to rust with any water sitting in the bottoms. They were also finicky about sealing...back then, with 95% of our trips way offshore, we didn't want the worry factors so they were pulled.
 
makomark said:
Hi Don!

Sorry for the lag but this divorce stuff has been chewing a lot of my time and the few $$ I have left.

Yes, the OEM supplied canister filters...why eliminate them? On our install, they weren't readily accessible. The shells we had were rather thin and they start to rust with any water sitting in the bottoms. They were also finicky about sealing...back then, with 95% of our trips way offshore, we didn't want the worry factors so they were pulled.
Click to expand...

Ah..OK, I think Ricardo kinda cleaned it up for me. You were using the "really old" filter procedure...not the spin on 'cans with filter enclosed' that I am using and have used. I would like to have the Racor with the glass sight bowl but as you know, they are not legal in my boat.

Sorry to hear about the big "D"..:(.no fun for anyone.....Another few days and we start year 49.
 
Come on Don..."really old" is all relative.

2X on the "no fun for anyone"...especially when the JD $$'s are factored in...congrat to you & the Admiral for reaching 49 - you'll be @ 50 before you know it!
 
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