My new to me boat that had been on the hard for the last couple of years was launched today. We ran the engine last year when I bought it, then a few days ago, very briefly to verify alternator functionality. We changed all the filters and fluids yesterday (including separator and facet filter). Come launch day, we expected it to take a while to run but we couldn't get it running for more than 20 seconds.
The system is setup like this: Tank => Racor 200 series separator/filter (w/ manual prime & bleeder) => Engine Facet pump => spin on filter => Injector pump
I started disconnecting fuel lines to see where fuel was and wasn't. Residual fuel or no fuel came out of every line and fitting I checked even while applying 12v to the facet pump. We verified that the tank valve was opened, checked for pinched lines, cranked the motor quite a bit... As a test to verify that this was fuel supply issue I took a hand pump and connected it between the tank and the Racor. The bleeder valve on the Racor started spitting out fuel as pressure built. I closed it, kept pumping until I felt a reasonable amount of resistance and the engine started right up. I disconnected the hand pump and the issue returned. Lots of cranking with occasional combustion.
The only theory I have at this point is maybe when the boat was moved, sediment from the bottom of the tank was stirred up and clogged the filter on the pickup tube. The hand pump is probably far more powerful than the facet so it was able to overcome a potential clog? Seems plausible but unlikely. I'm stumped for now
The system is setup like this: Tank => Racor 200 series separator/filter (w/ manual prime & bleeder) => Engine Facet pump => spin on filter => Injector pump
I started disconnecting fuel lines to see where fuel was and wasn't. Residual fuel or no fuel came out of every line and fitting I checked even while applying 12v to the facet pump. We verified that the tank valve was opened, checked for pinched lines, cranked the motor quite a bit... As a test to verify that this was fuel supply issue I took a hand pump and connected it between the tank and the Racor. The bleeder valve on the Racor started spitting out fuel as pressure built. I closed it, kept pumping until I felt a reasonable amount of resistance and the engine started right up. I disconnected the hand pump and the issue returned. Lots of cranking with occasional combustion.
The only theory I have at this point is maybe when the boat was moved, sediment from the bottom of the tank was stirred up and clogged the filter on the pickup tube. The hand pump is probably far more powerful than the facet so it was able to overcome a potential clog? Seems plausible but unlikely. I'm stumped for now