Adding an electric fuel pump to an outboard

[rolander]

I have an 87 175 horse evinrude outboard that I think is starving for fuel. I did an I/O to O/B conversion and now it feels like this high horse motor is running out of fuel. Just want to know if anyone has added an electric fuel pump and how big of job it was to get it regulated and what PSI it should be regulated to.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Adding an electric fuel pump to an outboard

The problem of adding an electric fuel pump is to make sure it turns off, if the motor stalls. If you rupture a fuel line, and the motor stalls, fuel will spray all over.

If OMC built one into a motor, they would likely hook it to the tach sender wire and build a circuit to only run the pump when cranking the motor or when you have RPM signals.

 

[rolander]

Re: Adding an electric fuel pump to an outboard

I hear where your coming from there. I was talking to a boat nut buddy of mine and he figures doing that conversion with the 175 being such a high demanding fuel pig he thinks that the tank is probably to low and far away from the motor for it to suck all the fuel it needs to perform thus loosing my high RPM and performance.

I am on the fence on adding a fuel pump. Just too many things that could go wrong, but if that would take care of my performance problem I would be willing to give it a try.

 

[Daviet]

Re: Adding an electric fuel pump to an outboard

You could always install a low pressure ( 1-2 lb pressure ) and see if the problem is solved. At least you would know your problem is for sure, lack of fuel.
Remember that electric pumps push better than they suck, wire in a switch that you can turn on and off manually.
I would not ever plumb in an electric pump and leave it there, but to trouble shoot your problem it should be ok.

 

[rolander]

Re: Adding an electric fuel pump to an outboard

Do you think I could trouble shoot by hooking up a 6 Gal portable OMC fuel tank and placing it closer to the motor? Eliminate any of my boat plumbing that way?

 

[mike1245]

Re: Adding an electric fuel pump to an outboard

i think that would work better then an electric one they are just too dangerous on outboards

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: Adding an electric fuel pump to an outboard

Fuel line diameter is the friend of any fuel system. Keep the diameter large and that fuel sipping 175 will be happy. They designed it to lift fuel from an inboard through a water separating system etc...

An electric fuel pump is the last thing you need.

Fix the cause not the symptom. It will take a little more time but it will be safer and cheaper in the long run to fix the supply issues.

 

[clanton]

Re: Adding an electric fuel pump to an outboard

You should check the fuel supply hoses, and pickup tube from the tank to engine.
All hoses, primer bulb, and fittings from tank to engine should be 3/8 inch. Pickup tube 1/2 inch. If you use genaric fittings, you should check the dia of the passages.

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Adding an electric fuel pump to an outboard

I have always used 1/2" fuel line with my outboards and just let the motor use as much gas as it needs. I would rather have a generous fuel supply to the motor than i would starving it slightly.

 

[rolander]

Re: Adding an electric fuel pump to an outboard

Thanks for the replys on this everyone. I think I will go ahead and do some more testing and changing some things before looking into a fuel pump. I appreciate the feedback on this, if your wondering why I am looking into a fuel pump this thread explains what is happening.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=422667