I will not be defeated!

[Brian D]

It seems like every time I come home for my 2 week vacation, something on the boat causes me to miss going out and enjoy the wind and swells. So now what, you ask?

Well, I had a brand new motor installed. It works fine. I do need to change out my fuel filter but cannot get the bowl or the filter off. So I decided to replace the whole thing. But in the mean time, I drain the bowl this morning.

So now the motor will not start. I am sure I am starving the motor for fuel, and I am guess it is because I drained the bowl. That is the only thing that I can think of.

However, is this plausible? My fuel tanks have been emptied for a long time. (Internal 2x30 gal gas fuel tanks). I put 2.5 gals in each side and started the motor. This was last Sunday (the 1st). Motor was running fine until today. Do you think that the motor was running on the fuel that was in the filter and not taking fuel from the tanks?

Anyway, I pump and pump and pump (this is an outboard) and the motor is still not starting.

Suggestions?

 

[Indysailor]

How does the bulb feel?

 

[Rick D]

Wonder if there was some water on the bottom of those tanks? Maybe you should check the new filter. Also, how about borrowing someone's portable tank (with good gas!) and hook it up to that to test it?

Good luck! Frustrating, I know.

 

[Brian D]

The bulb feels and sounds like it is sucking air. This is when connected to the motor. Disconnect and it feels like there is pressure there. But not like what I am used to feeling. I know when fuel is being extracted the bulb will be slow to recover after a pump. Not happening. I am sure I am sucking air.

I don't think there is water in the tank. I need some clear hoses to see if fuel is in fact being extracted from the tank.

This is still the old filter. I haven't bought the new one yet. Should be doing that tomorrow.

 

[Ross]

Put in another five gallons an see if that helps. Fuel tank size and your small fill could mean the dip tube is above the fuel.

 

[Indysailor]

I thought initially you might be losing prime, but in my experience a motor often starts after the bulb is pumped, then dies if it's losing prime (or you can pump the bulb to keep it running.)

If you're pumping and pumping, where is the fuel going? You might start seeing it in the water if it's going right into the carb and then the valves without starting. How about seeing if your are actually pumping any fuel with the bulb? If you pull if off the motor and pump the bulb does any fuel come out? Usually, my bulb will feel squishy then harden up after the bowl fills and the fuel line is full of fuel. If it sounds like air is rushing through, I wonder if you don't have a leak. Maybe check all the clamps and the hose from tank to motor for leaks.
We gotta get you out on the water.

 

[Indysailor]

Oh, go with Ross' idea first. Brilliant, simple.

 

[Brian D]

Yeah, I had thought about what Ross had said. That is why I asked about the plausible. I might not have enough fuel in the tank. But fuel that has been sitting for six month. That scares me, more or less. LOL

I will put in 5 gal on each side tomorrow. But I still need a small hand pump to see if fuel is indeed flowing. Clear hoses would be nice. LOL

Thanks guys. Like I said, this will not defeat me. An exploding battery charger will, but not this fuel thing!

 

[Dan Hill]

I had a external/portable tank that caused the same issue and same feel at the bulb. At half tank or lower it felt like air was getting in and the motor would start running and starting poorly. After installing a new hose and checking all connections I still had the same results. What I found was, the pick-up tube in the tank was loose at the top where it attached to the cover adapter for the hose. When the fuel level got too low the vacuum created inside the tube became too great and air started entering. Repaired the tube and all running/starting issues disappeared. I would also suggest topping the tank off and eliminate this as a possible issue. Good Luck!

 

[Kings Gambit]

Thanks guys. Like I said, this will not defeat me. An exploding battery charger will, but not this fuel thing!

Sorry to be a wise-guy here, but "not being defeated" to me means I go sailing when I wanted to even w/o the outboard working, and then deal with that when I get back!!!

 

[Steve Dion]

Brian:

I had a similar problem on a Tohatsu. It turned out that it was one of the fittings on the hose. The ball was not allowing fuel to flow. You may want to try probing the fittings to make sure that the are opening properly.

You may be able to put a pick on the engine side of the hose and depress the fitting to be sure that fuel is flowing out of the hose when the bulb is pumped.

 

[windward54]

Brian, I had the same thing happen on the dinghy outboard. Turned out to be a leaky bulb. I had to keep pumping to keep the motor going. Installed a new line and it ran great.

Good luck!

 

[Brian D]

Kings... you are not being a wise-guy at all... LOL you are so correct.

I will check all lines tomorrow. Thanks for the suggestions guys, and as always, your help is truly appreciated.

 

[LloydB]

Brian I Had a similar problem years ago when one day everything was OK and the next day no luck with the engine start. It turned out that I had damaged the tiny O ring that is the seal for the hose to engine connector by trying to push it into the wrong pin. Afterwards it had been my practice to carry an extra bulb and o rings with that boat until it went away. Forgotten until Karl's post, after all it is a sailboat.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Yes, new bulb may be in order (to put ON order )

Last summer I couldn't get the outboard engine to start. Turned out I'd knocked the kill switch holder (the red plastic thingie) off when i turned the engine off. Good thing it landed in the dinghy. Bad thing was it took me 60 pulls to realize my stupidity. I think I posted a much longer version here - you know, when it was fresh in my mind. Glad it's now part of the "archives" of what little I have left.

Good luck.

PS - Please stop trying to improve your boat, every time you do that something happens.

 

[Brian D]

:cry: aye aye sir. Stu, can I barrow your C34? LOL

 

[Brian D]

Mission accomplished. Replaced the entire fuel filter water separator system with a Sierra 25 micron for now. Still can't get the bowl off the Racor S3213 but I managed to get the filter element off the bracket. It was rusted on.

Anyway, cleaned out the hoses and put an additional 5 gals in one tank. Shut the other tank and pumped, pumped, pumped. Finally the bulb got resistance and the motor fired right up. Let it run for 30 minutes and checked the bulb. Still firm.

Now to get on the water. LOL

Thanks again for everyone's help.