8hp - I Rotated Fuel Pump Cover - now engine won't start

[Dubhead7951]

I recently installed a remote control kit on my '86 8hp Evinrude. In order to route the fuel line away from the new throttle linkage I rotated the fuel pump cover 90 degrees clockwise. When I went to test run it for first time, it would not start. It sputtered and almost-ran for a few seconds (5-15?) and now won't kick at all.

This is the very first attempt to start it after winter storage. Neglectfully, I did not run the engine dry at the end of last season, so the gas may have been the residual left in the fuel pump.

Could rotating the fuel pump cover be the problem? I see from http://www.sschapterpsa.com/ramblings/Rebuilding_fuelpump.htm that there are concerns about proper alignment of the fuel pump components but I can't see how it is critical with just the cover and gasket. The gasket has 4 holes so rotating the cover & gasket 90 degrees should not be a problem (unless I'm missing something - of course).

I'm stumped. I think I have good gas flow from the tank/fuel line. I checked for kinks. I can pump it up and get a good squirt when I loosen the pump cover. I also pumped up the bulb pressure and kept it there for several pulls.
I have good strong spark at both plugs. If I pull the plugs after several pulls, they don't seem wet with gas and I don't smell fresh gas in the cylinders.

I'm going to try rotating the cover back to it's original position, if I can, and try that.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 8hp - I Rotated Fuel Pump Cover - now engine won't start

Have you got the hose nipple of the cover over the top of a mounting screw head?

 

[Dubhead7951]

Re: 8hp - I Rotated Fuel Pump Cover - now engine won't start

Here is a picture of the BEFORE position (7:30 position). I don't have a current pic just yet. I rotated it 90 degrees clockwise so the hose nipple is now coming out of the 10:30 position. I have the gasket and cover aligned to the mounting screw heads in the same relative position so the nipple is not covering a screw head.

I also tried rotating it 180 degrees - 1:30 position, and that did not work either.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 8hp - I Rotated Fuel Pump Cover - now engine won't start

Rereading your post, that sound's like a dirty carb. Use a sqeeze bottle of premix sprayed into the carb throat, and see if it will start.

 

[Dubhead7951]

Re: 8hp - I Rotated Fuel Pump Cover - now engine won't start

Thanks, I'll try that tonight. Is that just a test to see that it will start or do you think it might possibly clear the carb?

 

[iwombat]

Re: 8hp - I Rotated Fuel Pump Cover - now engine won't start

Just a test for fuel delivery problems. Cleaning the carb requires disassembly.

I'm wondering if maybe you now have an air leak at the fuel pump. Take off the top cover and look at both the screen and the gasket to make sure they're what they should be. Then, position the cover where you want it and tighten in place.

If memory serves, the gasket is aligned with the base not the cover.

 

[Dubhead7951]

Re: 8hp - I Rotated Fuel Pump Cover - now engine won't start

My bad!!! I hadn't done any adjustment to the throttle linkage after installing the kit. I just needed to throttle up - it runs fine.

As far as adjusting the throttle linkage (internal cable), I guess I only have the plastic threaded mounting tab to play with. I moved it back about 3/8 inch and now the throttle is advanced enough to keep the engine running at idle.

I'm surprised that the engine won't run with zero throttle advance (at the carb). Is that normal for this engine?

Thanks for everyone's help