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  #1   IP: 98.243.56.84
Old 06-10-2010, 09:37 AM
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Unhappy gas in my oil?

I just changed the oil and when I did I found it to be very thin and almost watery. firsr i thought I had water in the oil but I realized that it is not water but gasoline? Why would there be gasoline in my oil. My gas tank is bone dry it appears that some how all of the fuel that was left in my gas tank is now in the oil pan. is there a gasket in the fuel pump that could have gone bad and allowed this or is this a major problem for the engine? Any help truly would be appreciated.
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Old 06-10-2010, 10:01 AM
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This could be a very dangerous situation. The most common (almost the only) way that large amounts of fuel can get into the crankcase is through a leaky mechanical fuel pump diaphragm. I suggest you inspect the bottom of the pump for evidence of fuel droplets and then try to pressurize the fuel line leading to the carburetor by working the priming lever of the fuel pump. If the pressure in the diaphragm bleeds off quickly (within a few seconds) it would confirm a leaky diaphragm.

Don
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Old 06-10-2010, 12:14 PM
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I just ordered an electronic fuel pump to replace the mechanical pump. This should bypass the mechanical pump thus solving the problem. Am I right with that thought?
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Old 06-10-2010, 12:16 PM
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Be sure to get the mechanical pump blanking plate too.
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Old 06-10-2010, 01:07 PM
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Exclamation Be CAREFUL

ffmedic-
Did you determine the source of the fuel leak?
Don is correct in that oil and gas make for a very dangerous cocktail!!

Yes, getting the electronic fuel pump will "solve" any issue with your mechanical.
BUT, I'd strongly encourage you to check that diaphragm as Don has instructed.
You need to KNOW that you know where the leak is...
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  #6   IP: 98.243.56.84
Old 06-11-2010, 09:01 AM
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With the electronic pump wont I just completely eliminate the mechanical pump thus making the bad diaphragm a mute point?
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Old 06-11-2010, 09:23 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ffmedic View Post
With the electronic pump wont I just completely eliminate the mechanical pump thus making the bad diaphragm a mute point?
Well, yeah, but what if it's not the pump? I think we're all about 95% sure it is but just to be certain . . . .
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Old 06-11-2010, 04:30 PM
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after going through the fuel system this afternoon I am about 99.9% sure that the problem lies with the fuel pump. Hopefully I can get that pump replaced soon and be back out sailing by next weekend.

Thank you everybody for your insight it was very helpful
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Old 06-12-2010, 12:10 AM
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ffmedic,
thanks for the update..a follow up is always appreciated so future forum members can learn from your experience.

I still have a mech fuel pump and rely on that membrane!
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Old 06-12-2010, 01:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ffmedic View Post
I just ordered an electronic fuel pump to replace the mechanical pump. This should bypass the mechanical pump thus solving the problem. Am I right with that thought?
The short answer is "No".

A properly maintained mechanical fuel pump is one of the most simple and effective means to supply fuel to the Atomic 4.
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  #11   IP: 24.152.131.220
Old 06-12-2010, 03:25 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sastanley View Post
I still have a mech fuel pump and rely on that membrane!
FYI Shawn

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/UNIVE...ssoriesQ5fGear
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  #12   IP: 24.152.131.220
Old 06-12-2010, 03:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 67c&ccorv View Post
A properly maintained mechanical fuel pump is one of the most simple and effective means to supply fuel to the Atomic 4.
ffmedic,

The flip side of that same coin is an electric fuel pump can have side benefits with very little additional plumbing (a valve and a little hose). Here's the thread discussing it, starting around post #20 or so:

http://www.moyermarineforum.com/foru...lishing+system
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Last edited by ndutton; 10-06-2019 at 11:14 AM.
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Old 06-13-2010, 12:27 AM
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Some forensics please

ffmedic,
Since there are still many mechanical pumps being used would you mind disassembling yours (assumming that the diaphram has failed) to see if you can determin what caused it to fail. In other words, did the membrane just rip or did it shribble up like it was being affected by the alcohol laced fuel we are currently using.
Tom
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  #14   IP: 173.166.26.245
Old 06-13-2010, 08:09 AM
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Question scary thought

Tom - You have raised another barracks issue. If a diaphragm in a fuel pump could be affected by the ethanol, what else in the engine do we need to worry about being attacked by ethanol?
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Old 06-13-2010, 10:59 AM
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"Not a swell situation"

Hanley,
The marine industry has adjusted their fuel line, fuel tank and fuel system related parts "materials" recently to acommodate the alcohol situation. The parts that are still out there like older fiberglass or "plastic" tanks, fuel lines, mechanical fuel pumps and fuel regulators are areas that we should watch for alcohol deterioration. A couple of years ago I had an aftermarket fuel regulator in a pickup truck fail and I was amazed, upon disassembly at how "melted" the diaphram was. Fuel lines, in particular, tend to just "swell" themselves closed gradually without actually leaking but definately affecting fuel flow which could explain some "power loss" at higher RPM situations.
Tom
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Old 06-13-2010, 02:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ndutton View Post
ffmedic,

The flip side of that same coin is an electric fuel pump can have side benefits with very little additional plumbing (a valve and a little hose). Here's the thread discussing it, starting around post #20 or so:

http://www.moyermarine.com/forums/sh...lishing+system
And for the flip side of that argument see the issues Rpowers ("Oil pressure drop") is having with his electric fuel pump safety switch shutting the engine down when the oil pressure drops below 6psi when idling.

Seems to me that I see a lot of these oil-pressure shutoff switches bypassed after the owner becomes fed up with the engine shutdowns caused by oil pressure fluctuations (that I would argue happen on a regular basis even with a motor in good mechanical condition).

I will keep rebuilding mine every couple of seasons or so and save the headaches...

...we do have a long winter up here ya know!

Last edited by 67c&ccorv; 06-13-2010 at 02:56 PM.
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Old 06-13-2010, 03:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 67c&ccorv View Post
And for the flip side of that argument see the issues Rpowers ("Oil pressure drop") is having with his electric fuel pump safety switch shutting the engine down when the oil pressure drops below 6psi when idling.

Seems to me that I see a lot of these oil-pressure shutoff switches bypassed after the owner becomes fed up with the engine shutdowns caused by oil pressure fluctuations (that I would argue happen on a regular basis even with a motor in good mechanical condition).

67,
I absolutely agree, **BLASPHEMY ALERT - - -BLASPHEMY ALERT** which is why I don't have one.

I do, however, have an audible low oil pressure/high water temperature alarm system. The intent of the oil pressure shutoff switch is to insure the electric fuel pump isn't running unless the engine is running. A side benefit is protecting the engine from low oil pressure damage. In my case, I am alerted by an obnoxious alarm if either the oil pressure or engine temperature get outside acceptable parameters, at which time I would turn off the key.

I know, I know, the ABYC police are probably walking down my dock as I post this but 67's point is well taken. A possible unintended consequence of the fuel pump shutoff switch is sudden - and maybe unwarranted - engine shutdown, no doubt at the worst possible time.
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Last edited by ndutton; 06-13-2010 at 05:07 PM.
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  #18   IP: 173.166.26.245
Old 06-13-2010, 03:28 PM
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Thumbs up help at hand

Neil - If the ABYC police do drag you into Blasphemy Court for not having the right switch, you can count on this platoon as character witnesses.
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Old 06-16-2010, 10:06 AM
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thanks for all the great replies. The new pump should be here today so I am planning on pulling the old pump and installing the new one today.

Thatch in response to your request I qwill gladly tear the old pump apart to see where things went bad. I will also try to get some pictures and post them here if they show anything
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Old 06-16-2010, 11:08 AM
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"appreciated"

ffmedic,
Any information on parts failures, particularly with safty related issues, should be a top prioty for us all.
Thank's, Tom
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