Fuel Bleed Off?

[HalfFish5087]

All,

I have a 5.7GSPBYC and last season I was having what appeared to be sporadic fuel delivery problems. Late last season after stopping the boat to swim for about an hour, we hoped back in and took off only for the engine to fall on its face shortly after planing off. After cranking numerous times she finally started back up and we we made it back. The following morning it would crank and crank without starting. After looking in the carb and providing throttle, I did not observe any fuel being added and little gas smell was present. I decided to bypass the fuel pump relay and allowed to pump to run for a couple of seconds. The engine then started and ran fine for the remainder of the trip. I ended having to do the same procedure to get her running to winterize.

It appears that some fuel is bleeding back towards the tank. Can anyone assist me on where to start? Other than this the engine runs great.

Thanks!

 

[Don S]

Re: Fuel Bleed Off?

Sorry, but it's physically impossible for fuel to leak out of the carb, and back to the tank. It just can't happen.

When was the last time you replaced the water separating fuel filter? Did you check it's contents for water?

Since it seems to work ok when you bypass the relay, and from the description of your problem, I would be inclined to think you have a faulty (intermittent) relay, or maybe some corroded contacts for the relay.

 

[HalfFish5087]

Re: Fuel Bleed Off?

I believe I replaced the fuel/water separator filter shorty after this this trip. I did not check for water. So I was upset to have it occur again when I was winterizing. Its just odd as it can go for days/weeks and be fine and then suddenly occur. Since its easy and cheap enough I'll replace the relay and add some water removal before our first outing this spring and hope that takes care of it. Thanks!

 

[Don S]

Re: Fuel Bleed Off?

Don't start adding water removing crap to your tank. It's nothing more than ethanol, and you already have enough of that.

The filter probably isn't the problem, and when you replace the relay, just look at the contacts and see if they are clean and shiny or all corroded. Putting a new relay in a corroded socket won't help either.

When you change a fuel filter, always dump it out in a clear container and look for water. Then you will know if you have a water problem or not. If you do have water in the tank, you need to get it out, and you don't have to empty the tank to do it either.