Honda 50HP fuel question / problem

[dd716ted]

This winter I replaced the Fuel / water separator cartridge with a new one.. Today I tried to start the boat. I squeezed the fuel bulb and unlike in the past, it never got firm which indicates the motor was full of fuel.. but today nothing.. I first suspected the fuel bulb so I replaced it with a spare I had... same results.. THEN I took the fuel water separator element off and it was dry.. so I filled it with fuel and screwed it back on.. then the bulb drew fuel into the engine and it started right up.. and ran UNTIL it ran out of fuel .. again I tried the fuel bulb and nothing..and the Fuel water separator cartridge was empty.. Here is the question? Should the Honda 50 HP fuel pump keep a suction on the line when running so the FW sepatrator element stays full or should I suspect something else..like an air leak or bad hose between FW Separator and tank?? I just don't know quite how to attack this problem.. Ideas and help please! Thank you. I

 

[ahicks]

Some of today's fuel primer bulbs have to be held in just the right direction (outlet side up) in order to pump fuel. It's a junk design that probably saved them a penny or 2 in production costs.

In any case you should be able to pump the primer bulb until firm. If you can't, that's where I would start my troubleshooting. Figure out why you can't.

I would note that I have a 2 year old 6 gal. portable tank that I was getting ready to fill the other day and heard something rolling around inside it. It was a new tank so I decided to investigate. Turns out it was the fuel pick up! So glad I checked it while empty as it was a pretty easy fix to fish it out of the tank, remove the outlet, then reattach the pick up and secure it with a clamp this time. There had not been a clamp previously..... another penny or 2 saved in production costs, by a name brand tank manf. ! Best of luck, -Al

 

[dd716ted]

Going to check all fuel line connections / hoses , o"rings soonest!

 

[MattFL]

If the motor was running and sucked the fuel/water separator dry, and no more fuel was coming from the fuel tank, then I would start looking in-between the fuel/water separator and the tank for air leaks. Maybe a fuel line is cracked or fitting is loose or corroded. Also check the pickup inside the tank.

 

[dd716ted]

I did a check today and when looking at the underside of the FW Separator, I found that the smooth machined surface that the FW Cartridge gasket seals to was covered in some spots with deteriorated rubber from the last cartridge.. AIR LEAK?? I cleaned the surface and reinstalled the new cartridge.. will test tomorrow.. the picture shows the sad shape of the sealing surface

 

[MattFL]

Yikes, an air leak there is definitely a possibility. I would hit that with some fine emery paper to get it smooth, then grease it up and spin on the new filter.

 

[dd716ted]

I did a check today and when looking at the underside of the FW Separator, I found that the smooth machined surface that the FW Cartridge gasket seals to was covered in some spots with deteriorated rubber from the last cartridge.. AIR LEAK?? I cleaned the surface and reinstalled the new cartridge.. will test tomorrow.. the picture shows the sad shape of the sealing surface

This was the problem.. cleaned the surface, installed new cartridge and all worked fine..