After years of flawless service from my A-4, I tried to start it after anchoring out overnight. It ran for a few seconds and quit. I cranked it again a few times, and it ran a shorter period of time and then quit.
After getting towed 15 miles back to the marina, I replaced the Racor 10 mic filter element, which was dirty, and replaced the electronic fuel pump, adding the in-line filter kit from MMI. Now it will only run after spraying the carb with starting fluid, then it quits. I took the new hose off the carb and noted it was completely dry after cranking it for 30 seconds or so, meaning it's still starved for fuel. I also verified the fuse from the oil pressure switch, to which the fuel pump is connected, was still good.
I noted that when I crank the engine, I only get 8 - 10 PSI of oil pressure on the guage. I recall that the engine runs at 20 psi oil pressure, with little variation whether cold or hot. Could the problem be the oil pressure switch, which is supposed to cut out at 6 PSI +/- 2? I also tried to adjust the oil pressure adjustment screw, but could not budge it with the tools at hand.
If it's not low oil pressure, could the symptoms be caused by a clogged carb jet? I don't want to dig into the carb if I don't have to.
Phil
S/V Catmandu
1982 Catalina 27
After getting towed 15 miles back to the marina, I replaced the Racor 10 mic filter element, which was dirty, and replaced the electronic fuel pump, adding the in-line filter kit from MMI. Now it will only run after spraying the carb with starting fluid, then it quits. I took the new hose off the carb and noted it was completely dry after cranking it for 30 seconds or so, meaning it's still starved for fuel. I also verified the fuse from the oil pressure switch, to which the fuel pump is connected, was still good.
I noted that when I crank the engine, I only get 8 - 10 PSI of oil pressure on the guage. I recall that the engine runs at 20 psi oil pressure, with little variation whether cold or hot. Could the problem be the oil pressure switch, which is supposed to cut out at 6 PSI +/- 2? I also tried to adjust the oil pressure adjustment screw, but could not budge it with the tools at hand.
If it's not low oil pressure, could the symptoms be caused by a clogged carb jet? I don't want to dig into the carb if I don't have to.
Phil
S/V Catmandu
1982 Catalina 27
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