Return to the home page...

Go Back   Moyer Marine Atomic 4 Community - Home of the Afourians > Discussion Topics > Fuel System

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1   IP: 75.27.254.152
Old 01-17-2022, 04:29 PM
Warrencasey Warrencasey is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Ventura Harbor, Ventura CA
Posts: 17
Thanks: 14
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Engine shutting down

It seems the carb is running out of fuel after about 5 mins. Also we need the choke on for while longer than usual, more so when the engine was cold. . After the engine dies we will pump the fuel bulb and the engine will run for another 5+ mins. We haven't had the time to do some of the tests yet and will in the a week or so. We will first bypass the low pressure sensor and see if we can get the pump to work.

So my main question - how long should a fuel pump last? it is the one Moyer sells. I think we have had this one working for around 12 years.
Reply With Quote
  #2   IP: 138.207.177.95
Old 01-18-2022, 11:37 AM
joe_db's Avatar
joe_db joe_db is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,474
Thanks: 49
Thanked 1,026 Times in 721 Posts
Several things in this post:
1. A fuel pressure gauge will make troubleshooting this way easier.
2. Outboard squeeze bulbs are not even close to safe enough to use in an enclosed space.
3. Fuel pump longevity is not really known. There is no magic number they all die at, they might last 2 days or 20 years. Mine is older than 12 years. It works fine, but I do carry a spare
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to joe_db For This Useful Post:
Warrencasey (01-19-2022)
  #3   IP: 75.27.254.152
Old 01-18-2022, 03:34 PM
Warrencasey Warrencasey is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Ventura Harbor, Ventura CA
Posts: 17
Thanks: 14
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
I didn't know the danger of the bulb - I will remove it. We have been sailing with one for the last 15 years, but I understand the problem with it! I will order a new fuel pump to have it on hand when we run a few tests next week.

Where does one get a proper fuel pressure gauge for a motor like this?

Thank you for you help!
Reply With Quote
  #4   IP: 75.27.254.152
Old 01-18-2022, 04:15 PM
Warrencasey Warrencasey is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Ventura Harbor, Ventura CA
Posts: 17
Thanks: 14
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Is it safe to keep an inline fuel pressure gauge permanently attached to the fuel line like this on on amazon.com. Or should I get a removal tester?

https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Gasket-156...a-568947612179
Reply With Quote
  #5   IP: 138.207.177.95
Old 01-19-2022, 06:30 AM
joe_db's Avatar
joe_db joe_db is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,474
Thanks: 49
Thanked 1,026 Times in 721 Posts
There is more than one person on here with a gauge like that installed. I have an electrical gauge I can read from the cockpit.
Regarding the squeeze bulbs, they come in handy, but I have had more than one of them leak. Sometimes they split open suddenly and squirt me with fuel - - but I have also seen them get subtle cracks that just weep a little bit at a time
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to joe_db For This Useful Post:
Marian Claire (01-19-2022), W2ET (01-19-2022), Warrencasey (01-19-2022)
  #6   IP: 138.207.177.95
Old 01-19-2022, 08:01 AM
joe_db's Avatar
joe_db joe_db is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,474
Thanks: 49
Thanked 1,026 Times in 721 Posts
Moyer also sells a low fuel pressure alarm kit.
See https://moyermarine.com/product/the-...m-ktas_01_564/
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to joe_db For This Useful Post:
Warrencasey (01-19-2022)
  #7   IP: 75.27.254.152
Old 01-19-2022, 01:49 PM
Warrencasey Warrencasey is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Ventura Harbor, Ventura CA
Posts: 17
Thanks: 14
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Thanks Joe, I will look for an electric fuel pressure gauge. I also like that warning system from Moyer. I went ahead and bought a new fuel pump from Moyer.
Reply With Quote
  #8   IP: 75.27.254.152
Old 01-19-2022, 01:55 PM
Warrencasey Warrencasey is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Ventura Harbor, Ventura CA
Posts: 17
Thanks: 14
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Is this the kind of electric fuel pressure gauge like you have? https://www.amazon.com/GlowShift-Tin...%2C131&sr=1-25
Reply With Quote
  #9   IP: 24.15.213.195
Old 01-19-2022, 05:09 PM
Sam Sam is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 322
Thanks: 490
Thanked 140 Times in 109 Posts
Actually the fuel pressure gauge issue is pretty simple. Fuel line connected between fuel pump and carb. Gauge is about $20 and and inline adaptor that fits your hose size. is about $12. Mine is a ebay "Marshall" brand 0 t0 15psi - stainless body, glass lens, liquid filled. Works great for many years. shows a steady 2.5psi. This will quickly tell you if you have a pump problem or carb issue[float sticking, running lean etc]. Good luck.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Sam For This Useful Post:
Warrencasey (01-21-2022)
  #10   IP: 138.207.177.95
Old 01-20-2022, 09:56 AM
joe_db's Avatar
joe_db joe_db is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,474
Thanks: 49
Thanked 1,026 Times in 721 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Warrencasey View Post
Is this the kind of electric fuel pressure gauge like you have? https://www.amazon.com/GlowShift-Tin...%2C131&sr=1-25
Mine reads 0-5 PSI, not 0-100 and a red light comes on when the fuel pressure gets below 1 PSI.

This is it:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/26205847825...cAAOSwUBlZsJt0

That store hasn't had 5 PSI transducers for some time, you would have to look around for them.

Autometer 15 PSI version:
https://www.amazon.com/Auto-Meter-49...ps%2C48&sr=8-2

The Moyer alarm kit isn't a bad idea either, the fuel pressure is not critical as long as it ends up less than 5 and more than 1.

Found one!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/35386176019...EAAOSwZZdhaBlS

If you want to see the gauge in action: http://www.dellabarba.com/sailing/a4/A4.mp4 Sadly they seem to rust a bit on the chrome trim

Last edited by joe_db; 01-20-2022 at 10:03 AM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to joe_db For This Useful Post:
Ando (01-21-2022), Warrencasey (01-21-2022)
  #11   IP: 24.15.213.195
Old 01-20-2022, 04:23 PM
Sam Sam is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 322
Thanks: 490
Thanked 140 Times in 109 Posts
Joe, that is a very slick system you have. Mines a "poor man's " version which is non electrical and where you need to glance at the engine to get a reading. Something is better than nothing but I just may upgrade to yours one day.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Sam For This Useful Post:
Warrencasey (01-21-2022)
  #12   IP: 75.27.254.152
Old 01-20-2022, 08:44 PM
Warrencasey Warrencasey is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Ventura Harbor, Ventura CA
Posts: 17
Thanks: 14
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Thanks Joe! Ordered what you have and recommended.
Reply With Quote
  #13   IP: 156.146.59.2
Old 01-21-2022, 07:19 PM
scratchee scratchee is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 97
Thanks: 27
Thanked 44 Times in 28 Posts
I solved a couple problems by removing my squeeze bulb and replacing the fuel line. I'm fairly certain the bulb was leaking at one of the hose connections, so the fuel pump would not draw fuel (the system has to be air-tight, or it'll draw air instead of fuel).
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to scratchee For This Useful Post:
Warrencasey (01-21-2022)
  #14   IP: 75.27.254.152
Old 01-28-2022, 02:46 PM
Warrencasey Warrencasey is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Ventura Harbor, Ventura CA
Posts: 17
Thanks: 14
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
OK - we have removed the bulb, replaced the pump with a new one from Moyer, bypassed the big fuel filter & water separator (Rancor S3228TUL) and check most everything else. But, the engine will run in idle with out the choke, but went we throttle up the engine dies - as though it is not getting enough fuel.

We will next try to clean the carburetor this weekend - this is rather frustrating!

Any other suggestions as to why the engine dies when throttled up?
Reply With Quote
  #15   IP: 138.207.177.95
Old 01-28-2022, 02:47 PM
joe_db's Avatar
joe_db joe_db is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,474
Thanks: 49
Thanked 1,026 Times in 721 Posts
The obvious one is the main jet is clogged
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to joe_db For This Useful Post:
Sam (01-28-2022), Warrencasey (01-28-2022)
  #16   IP: 75.27.254.152
Old 01-28-2022, 06:36 PM
Warrencasey Warrencasey is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Ventura Harbor, Ventura CA
Posts: 17
Thanks: 14
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by joe_db View Post
The obvious one is the main jet is clogged
Great - we will try and clean it on Sunday!
Reply With Quote
  #17   IP: 104.174.83.118
Old 01-28-2022, 08:19 PM
ndutton's Avatar
ndutton ndutton is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Torrance, CA
Posts: 9,619
Thanks: 198
Thanked 2,208 Times in 1,425 Posts
If it turns out to be a clogged main jet it is imperative you determine the source of the clog otherwise you risk it happening again.
__________________
Neil
1977 Catalina 30
San Pedro, California
prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22
Had my hands in a few others
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to ndutton For This Useful Post:
Sam (01-29-2022)
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Troubleshooting After An Unexpected Shutdown Administrator Troubleshooting 4 04-03-2020 02:55 PM
Morphing Starvation chanlmee Troubleshooting 17 08-24-2011 05:19 PM
Engine Dies after approx one hour Trysail Troubleshooting 4 08-07-2008 11:15 AM
Removing the engine from your boat Don Moyer Ranger 7 12-12-2005 12:24 PM
Engine shutting down gently, possibly cooling problems Bobncae Troubleshooting 3 08-03-2005 07:07 AM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:04 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.


Universal® is a registered trademark of Westerbeke Corporation

Copyright © 2004-2024 Moyer Marine Inc.

All Rights Reserved