Port engine will not start - suspect fuel pump

dollarbill · Post by **dollarbill** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 9:50 am

78 Chrysler 318 Engine is turning over. No problem there. Changed fuel filter. Took off air cleaner and I do not see or smell fuel in the carb area... I suspect a fuel pump as I have fuel in my filter. Logically the problem would be from the filter on to the carb.

Any suggestions to trouble shoot if you have a bad fuel pump?

The fuel pump looks pretty accessible and I may try to change it myself...

I have searched this forum and found some good info on fuel pumps... if that is the problem.

g36 · Post by **g36** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 10:03 am

could you not pour some gas down the carb (not a lot ) and see if the boat will fire off then? or at least try to start.

Rodman · Post by **Rodman** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 11:40 am

g36 wrote:could you not pour some gas down the carb (not a lot ) and see if the boat will fire off then? or at least try to start.

Yea what he said..... pump the accelerator see if gas pumps into the carburetor.

TADTOOMUCH · Post by **TADTOOMUCH** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 6:07 pm

Remove the spark arrestor and mannually activate the throttle wide open a couple times and see if you see gas squirt into carbs. If not then crank the engine a few times to activate fuel pump and then try carb again to see if the accelerator plunger will squirt fuel into the carb. If it still won't run pull a plug and look if the plug is wet or not. If it's wet you have no spark and fuel pump is fine. If the plug is dry then the carburetor is gunked up or plugged up or the fuel pump isn't working. If no spark then check ignition by starting with the distributor for moisture or next a bad coil and if you have points and condenser ignition I'd suspect the condensor first then the points. If you have electronic ignition then I'd suspect the resistor ballast. If it only runs with the key turned it is the resistor ballast for sure.

TADTOOMUCH · Post by **TADTOOMUCH** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 6:12 pm

Oh I don't mean to sound like a jerk but did it run last season fine and did you make sure all fuel shutoff valves are turned to open position?

TADTOOMUCH · Post by **TADTOOMUCH** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 11:02 am

There is a backflow preventer near your fuel tank at the top that could be plugged in the closed position that might keep the fuel pump from being able to suck fuel out of the tank. It is an in-line device between the fuel tank and the fuel line. Looks just like another brass fitting.

Trojan Boat Forum

Port engine will not start - suspect fuel pump

Port engine will not start - suspect fuel pump

another thing to check