Fuel pump?

[timonator]

I have a 1988 sunbird omc 4.3 2bbl.I took it out for the first time last Saturday. It had nearly a full tank of year old gas. After a couple of miles it started dying out.I thought it might be the old gas ,a dirty carb or fuel filter.At the end of the day I had the tank down to a quarter tank and it wasn't doing it any more.Sunday I filled it with fresh gas.I drove it for a couple of hours and it started starving out for fuel again.I tried changing the fuel filter but that didn't help.and by the end of the day I had to wait about 10 minutes start it up,drive for about 2 minutes till it died again.I wound up stuck on the river hours later than I had planned.I ordered a fuel pump today and hope that's it.If anyone can give me any better advice I would appreciate the help.Thanks

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Fuel pump?

Read this,,,,,Courtsey of Don S,,,,,,Should be able to diagnose the problem.

Fuel System Test

 

[bamadave]

Re: Fuel pump?

Drain ALL the fuel out of the tank (there is still old fuel in tank with water and trash in it)
remove the filler hose to tank
remove all crud from tank(varnish and trash)
replace fuel filter
check carb for crud
rebuild carb
refuel tank with quality fuel
ENJOY A DAY ON THE LAKE WITHOUT BOAT DYING
Simple as that

 

[KaGee]

Re: Fuel pump?

FYI... i have a 90 gallon tank. It was full when I bought the boat. Gas was two years old, maybe older.
Drained 25 gallons and ran it in my and the neighbors lawn mowers and snow blower for nearly 2 seasons.
Added fresh fuel and the appropriate amount of PRI-G and some octane booster.

Have run the boat approx 10 hours, and have added fresh fuel a couple more times, along with PRI-G.

Runs like a top. The "Old Gas" thing is highly overblown. Contaminated gas is another issue.

Timm... I hope you did not waste your money. Without troubleshooting, you are shooting in the dark. I'm afraid you will still have a problem when all is said and done. I hope you don't.

 

[timonator]

Re: Fuel pump?

I pulled the tank out,pulled out the pickup with the anti siphon check valve,took the check valve off and found a load of silicone jammed in the check valve(same color silicone someone used to seal the sending unit).I relaced the check valve even though I probably didn't need to.I ordered a new fuel pump due ti it being 18 years old.I also bought a carb kit,but am a little apprehensive about rebuilding the carb.Thanks for the replies.Tim

 

[KaGee]

Re: Fuel pump?

Antisiphon valve gummed up could cause your troubles.

 

[harveje]

Re: Fuel pump?

[colour=blue]I also bought a carb kit,but am a little apprehensive about rebuilding the carb.Thanks for the replies.Tim [/colour]

Find a clean well ventalated place, look at the breakdown that comes with the carb kit, pay attention when taking it apart and don't force anything. You may have a few pcs. left over so don't panic. Clean and blow all passages out good.