Need help- Problem w Fuel not getting to engine...

[backbeach]

I have a 1985 Johnson 90hp (powerhead rebuilt 1998) that seems to have a fuel delivery problem. The engine worked well last week,(burned 10 gallons) today it fired right up, then died. It turned over quite a few times and ran for a few seconds before quitting on high throttle in neutral, and even started (and ran) at mid throttle for a few seconds. Now it cranks but doesn't turn over. To give you a background; the engine was winterized late last Nov. and the 30 gal alum tank was topped off with premixed and stabilized fuel, the engine fogged, plugs and racor fuel filter replaced. Due to an injury the boat wasn't used and still has that fuel in it- not E-10.... So its not a "New fuel" problem. At the ramp, we got out of the way and started checking things, it seemed like the primer bulb kept needing to be repumped- like it was using the fuel and not getting more. We tried replacing the bulb, thinking the check valve might be the issue; and as a precaution, switched out the Racor filter I had on it to the new 10 micron version with the clear bowl. I installed it "dry" and tried to used the bulb to prime the line, but the bowl never got gas in it. Fearing that I created an air pocket, I poured premixed fuel down the line to the tank, tightened the clamp, then filled the filter to the top with fuel this time. Then, when I primed the bulb it seemed no gas made it to the engine. I took the connector from the engine side of the fuel line off and pumped the primer bulb and gas gushed, yet the engine still wasn't getting fuel, as the filter screen over the fuel pump on the powerhead was dry. I'm thinking that the fuel pump is shot, or maybe the connector isn't allowing fuel to get to it. One thing that got me thinking was that when I changed the fuel filter last fall and removed the old filter-the gas kept gushing from where it goes into the in line racor filter- then I noticed the key was turned in the ignition to the Accessory "on" position. When I turned it off,the fuel stopped gushing. It seems that I recall a humming coming from the center console when the key was turned(where the tank is located), but now I don't hear anything.(I bought the boat used and only used it a few times last year, so I'm not 100% sure on this) I called the previous owner, who I know had replaced a fuel guage in the tank, to ask if there was a fuel sending pump inside the tank, but he didn't think so. I was hoping that someone here might be able to shed some light on this- maybe having dealt with a similar situation. BTW the boat is a 1974 Aquasport 17.... If the fuel pump on the engine was bad, would I get these symptoms? Or if the connector is messed up? Does anyone know if they do in fact put sending pumps inside that type of tank? My next step is to replace to connector and fuel pump on the engine, after a chat with a marine mechanic, I'm hoping I can do it myself and get back out on the water and salvage some of the season...Thanks...

[nauthead]

I doubt you have an electric fuel pump in your tank. Go back to where the gas "gushed" and work from their to the engine. Check the obvious, the arrow on the primer ball, the vent line, etc.

[prockvoan]

Chances are you don't have a fuel pump problem and no pump in the tank.The motor you have ,the fuel pump is on the side of the block.The pump works from a diaphram,stroke of the motor.If the motor turns over,the pump will pump.If you see extra smoke then the norm when the motor is running,chances are the fuel pump diaphram has a hole in it.Other then that,it will pump!
How old is the fuel lines?Check for any leaks.I'm talking about leaks that fuel is coming out of or any air leaking into the fuel system.Check tank venting.Remove the fill cap and try to start the motor to see if the vent line is working.

[backbeach]

Thanks for the replies. I checked everything from the tank to the carbs and got fuel flow in, so now the most likely suspect is water in the fuel. I put it in the hands of a marine mechanic at that point, since I don't like to fiddle with carbs. We think that the fuel I added the night before the trip, from a 5 gal tank, might have been contaminated. I was trying to use up the old "pre E-10 " gas I had. I know I had stabilized the fuel in the boats 30gal tank- but maybe I only premixed the little tank and forgot to stabilize that fuel last Dec. If the vent on the tank was loose- air would've got in and condensation formed. The pros will drain the carbs, check them, and try to fire it up with good fuel. If that works, I'll have to drain the tanks and change filters for awhile. I was hoping that I could just drain the bowl on the new Racor filters, but I might have to be a bit more cautious... Thanks