Losing fuel pressure

Fishphanatic · #1 03-18-2008, 12:18 PM

My motor has cut off on me the last two times I have taken it out. It will slowly die like it is not getting any full. I thought it was water in the fuel water seperator and so I dumped it. It helped some but the last time it happened I felt the bulb and it was empty. I got it running again and it ran to the dock with no problems.

Are there any tests to see if your fuel pump going bad?

Any help from you "V20 Jedi Masters" would be appreciated very much!

Blue_Runner · #2 03-18-2008, 12:34 PM

Same thing happened to me and it was an obstruction on the pickup in the fuel tank. Apparently some debris got up around a sock filter on the pickup and blocked the fuel. I didn't know what it was at first so I replaced my fuel water sep filter and it fixed it for a day or two then happened again. All I did to fix it was un hook the hose on the water sep that runs to the fuel tank and blow in it. I could feel it "break loose" and hooked back up and no problems.

Good luck! I hope its something simple. As for your original question, I don't know how to tell if a fuel pump is bad. I'm sure the outboard techs will be here shortly! Hold tight or try what I said.

Blue

tsubaki · #3 03-18-2008, 12:47 PM

What type of tank(s) do you have?
Does the possibility exist the vent is closed or blocked?
Hell add to your signature the year boat, motor and horsepower (if you got a Gayliner, we'll refer you to CTT).
If it's the fuel pump you can prime it and keep pumping to make the motor run.
Sounds more like a blocked line like Blue said.
If you go to the trouble to unscrew the filter, replace it.
Most tanks have a filter screen at the fuel fitting (exit) in the tank, one of mine was 95% clogged with debris.

Blue_Runner · #4 03-18-2008, 01:09 PM

Ah yes, good advice Tsub - forgot to mention the squeezing the ball test!

If it is blockage you will not be about to prime the ball at all. Mine "sucked in" or collapsed.

Good luck Fish!

tsubaki · #5 03-18-2008, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue_Runner

Ah yes, good advice Tsub - forgot to mention the squeezing the ball test!

Always gets my attention!!

Blue_Runner · #6 03-18-2008, 03:28 PM

All this talk about squeezing balls and getting sucked in....geez I'm starting to sound like Charlie the Tuna aka Smiley

macojoe · #7 03-18-2008, 04:17 PM

if the ball is empty and collapsed, the tank isn't venting, ck the vent to make sure it is clear, or your not getting gas, could be something blocking the line? clogged gas filter, something in the line, something in the pick up tube, small ball in the ck value of the gas tank, or just the ball its self??

Gas tanks are easy! just ck around you will find it!

phatdaddy · #8 03-18-2008, 08:42 PM

Probably not your situation, but if you are running oil injection on an OB, make sure you are oiling. The fact that you primer ball was empty points to fuel, but they wont go far without oil either. I found out the expensive way.........

cterrebonne · #9 03-18-2008, 09:14 PM

quick check list:

flat bulb = restriction before the primer bulb
bulb not flat but can pump alot of fuel into motor = fuel pump not operating properly.
this is the quickest and easiest way to test.
go to your local sears etc buy a el cheapo vaccum/pressure guage and tie it into the line before the bulb. vaccum should not be higher then 4 inches of mercury if i remember correctly.

p.s. two most common problems with fuel system check valve on fuel pick up on tank doesnt work or is stuck and fuel pump is out. hopefully you do not need to change the fuel pump.

Fishphanatic · #10 03-19-2008, 09:32 AM

Guess it would help if I told you I had a 1994 Johnson 175 on a 1994 V-20 CC.

It ran great for about seven mile then I parked it for the Chapel Hill game,then came back out ran it back to the landing and it cut off twice. Did the same thing on the last booze cruise I took it out on in early January.

Thanks for all your help fellas!!!