Fuel Pump Question
 

I recently had the stern drive on my boat serviced. The engine is a 2000
Volvo 4.3 Gi/SX. I only had the stern drive serviced.

The week prior to taking it to the dealer, I changed all my filters
including the fuel filter, changed the engine oil, and changed out my sea
water impeller. I ran the engine repeatedly both before and after my work
and it was as smooth as could be. The fuel tank was full and I stabilized
the new tank of fuel prior to putting it to bed for our brief winter. I live
in Northern Calif so it was only put away from 1 Dec to early March.

After returning from the dealer I tried to take the boat out for a brief
run--no start and not a hint of sound coming from the fuel pumps. There
should be a 2 second priming period prior to turning over the engine.
Nothing, Dead. Not a hint.

I'm in the process of troubleshooting. I can't find any disconnected wires
or connectors. The battery is good and fully charged. The engine turns over
just fine. I reset the 50 amp circuit breaker (it didn't appear to be
tripped). My wiring diagram shows 4 other circuit breakers but I don't see
them on the engine itself. I'm on the way to work to pick up a digital
mulit-meter to check for power at the fuel pump electrical connections but I
thought I'd ask this group if there was something obvious that I might be
missing.

Taking the boat back to the Volvo service center is a 3 hour round trip so
if I can get this on my own, I'd like to do so.

Thanks,

P

Fuel Pump Question
 

"ILUVMYBOAT" wrote in message
. net...
I recently had the stern drive on my boat serviced. The engine is a 2000
Volvo 4.3 Gi/SX. I only had the stern drive serviced.

The week prior to taking it to the dealer, I changed all my filters
including the fuel filter, changed the engine oil, and changed out my sea
water impeller. I ran the engine repeatedly both before and after my work
and it was as smooth as could be. The fuel tank was full and I stabilized
the new tank of fuel prior to putting it to bed for our brief winter. I
live in Northern Calif so it was only put away from 1 Dec to early March.

After returning from the dealer I tried to take the boat out for a brief
run--no start and not a hint of sound coming from the fuel pumps. There
should be a 2 second priming period prior to turning over the engine.
Nothing, Dead. Not a hint.

I'm in the process of troubleshooting. I can't find any disconnected wires
or connectors. The battery is good and fully charged. The engine turns
over just fine. I reset the 50 amp circuit breaker (it didn't appear to be
tripped). My wiring diagram shows 4 other circuit breakers but I don't see
them on the engine itself. I'm on the way to work to pick up a digital
mulit-meter to check for power at the fuel pump electrical connections but
I thought I'd ask this group if there was something obvious that I might
be missing.

Taking the boat back to the Volvo service center is a 3 hour round trip so
if I can get this on my own, I'd like to do so.

Thanks,

P

May sound silly, but it happens more often than people admit:

Is your boat equipped with a safety lanyard?

Eisboch

Fuel Pump Question
 

"JimH" wrote in message
...



Good idea. However, wouldn't an improperly seated or disengaged safety
lanyard clip result in no power to the engine, including to the starter?
ILUVMYBOAT stated that the starter engages and tries to turn over the
engine. Am I correct on this?


I don't know on I/O's. I know that on the outboards I've had, the engine
turns over, but because there is no ignition power, it won't start.

In fact .... come to think of it ... isn't an electric fuel pump supposed
to be powered through an oil pressure switch or something?

It's been a while since I had an I/O.


Eisboch

Fuel Pump Question
 

On Sun, 30 Mar 2008 16:06:06 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:


"ILUVMYBOAT" wrote in message
.net...
I recently had the stern drive on my boat serviced. The engine is a 2000
Volvo 4.3 Gi/SX. I only had the stern drive serviced.

The week prior to taking it to the dealer, I changed all my filters
including the fuel filter, changed the engine oil, and changed out my sea
water impeller. I ran the engine repeatedly both before and after my work
and it was as smooth as could be. The fuel tank was full and I stabilized
the new tank of fuel prior to putting it to bed for our brief winter. I
live in Northern Calif so it was only put away from 1 Dec to early March.

After returning from the dealer I tried to take the boat out for a brief
run--no start and not a hint of sound coming from the fuel pumps. There
should be a 2 second priming period prior to turning over the engine.
Nothing, Dead. Not a hint.

I'm in the process of troubleshooting. I can't find any disconnected wires
or connectors. The battery is good and fully charged. The engine turns
over just fine. I reset the 50 amp circuit breaker (it didn't appear to be
tripped). My wiring diagram shows 4 other circuit breakers but I don't see
them on the engine itself. I'm on the way to work to pick up a digital
mulit-meter to check for power at the fuel pump electrical connections but
I thought I'd ask this group if there was something obvious that I might
be missing.

Taking the boat back to the Volvo service center is a 3 hour round trip so
if I can get this on my own, I'd like to do so.

Thanks,

P

May sound silly, but it happens more often than people admit:

Is your boat equipped with a safety lanyard?

Eisboch


All it takes is a kid flipping the switch. Don't ask!
--
John *H*
(Not the other one!)

Fuel Pump Question
 

On Sun, 30 Mar 2008 18:20:07 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:


"JimH" wrote in message
...



Good idea. However, wouldn't an improperly seated or disengaged safety
lanyard clip result in no power to the engine, including to the starter?
ILUVMYBOAT stated that the starter engages and tries to turn over the
engine. Am I correct on this?


I don't know on I/O's. I know that on the outboards I've had, the engine
turns over, but because there is no ignition power, it won't start.

In fact .... come to think of it ... isn't an electric fuel pump supposed
to be powered through an oil pressure switch or something?

It's been a while since I had an I/O.


Eisboch


My I/O would turn over but not start.
--
John *H*
(Not the other one!)

Fuel Pump Question
 

In fact .... come to think of it ... isn't an electric fuel pump supposed
to be powered through an oil pressure switch or something?

Correct. The only time the fuel pump is supposed to operate is when there is
oil pressure, or the engine is cranking. It's pretty simple to figure out
why. That is unlike an automobile fuel pump that starts to do it's thing
when the key is simply switched on.

--Mike

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"JimH" wrote in message
...



Good idea. However, wouldn't an improperly seated or disengaged safety
lanyard clip result in no power to the engine, including to the starter?
ILUVMYBOAT stated that the starter engages and tries to turn over the
engine. Am I correct on this?


I don't know on I/O's. I know that on the outboards I've had, the engine
turns over, but because there is no ignition power, it won't start.

In fact .... come to think of it ... isn't an electric fuel pump supposed
to be powered through an oil pressure switch or something?

It's been a while since I had an I/O.


Eisboch

Fuel Pump Question
 

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
...



Boat electric pumps also work for a short time when the ignition is turned
on. Just like a car.


Maybe some do, or maybe things have changed, but I remember the one I had
only ran once oil pressure built up and a oil pressure switch made ....
which it would just by cranking a few times.

Otherwise, if there is a fuel leak, and the pump runs, trying to build
pressure, the gas gets pumped into the bilge.

Not a good thing.

Eisboch

Fuel Pump Question
 

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
...



Boat electric pumps also work for a short time when the ignition is turned
on. Just like a car.


I wanted to be sure about this ... I think you are incorrect ....

http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/bo.../183-524-b.htm

Eisboch

Fuel Pump Question
 

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
...



Boat electric pumps also work for a short time when the ignition is
turned on. Just like a car.


I wanted to be sure about this ... I think you are incorrect ....

http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/bo.../183-524-b.htm

Eisboch

Electronic fuel injection pumps usually run for a couple seconds when the
ignition is first turned on to build up pressure. At least they do on cars,
I'm assuming they do the same on boats.

Fuel Pump Question
 

"jamesgangnc" wrote in message
...
"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
...



Boat electric pumps also work for a short time when the ignition is
turned on. Just like a car.


I wanted to be sure about this ... I think you are incorrect ....

http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/bo.../183-524-b.htm

Eisboch

Electronic fuel injection pumps usually run for a couple seconds when the
ignition is first turned on to build up pressure. At least they do on
cars, I'm assuming they do the same on boats.


Not supposed to by Federal regulation.

They should be wired such that they run *only* when the starter is engaged
or a oil pressure switch is satisfied.
They should *not* run .... even for a short period of time .... with the
ignition "on" but the engine not running.

Eisboch

Fuel Pump Question
 

On Sun, 30 Mar 2008 21:12:38 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:


"jamesgangnc" wrote in message
...
"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
...



Boat electric pumps also work for a short time when the ignition is
turned on. Just like a car.


I wanted to be sure about this ... I think you are incorrect ....

http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/bo.../183-524-b.htm

Eisboch

Electronic fuel injection pumps usually run for a couple seconds when the
ignition is first turned on to build up pressure. At least they do on
cars, I'm assuming they do the same on boats.


Not supposed to by Federal regulation.

They should be wired such that they run *only* when the starter is engaged
or a oil pressure switch is satisfied.
They should *not* run .... even for a short period of time .... with the
ignition "on" but the engine not running.

I wonder if that includes outboards?

Fuel Pump Question
 

"Mike" wrote in message
. net...
In fact .... come to think of it ... isn't an electric fuel pump
supposed
to be powered through an oil pressure switch or something?

Correct. The only time the fuel pump is supposed to operate is when there
is oil pressure, or the engine is cranking. It's pretty simple to figure
out why. That is unlike an automobile fuel pump that starts to do it's
thing when the key is simply switched on.

--Mike

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"JimH" wrote in message
...



Good idea. However, wouldn't an improperly seated or disengaged safety
lanyard clip result in no power to the engine, including to the starter?
ILUVMYBOAT stated that the starter engages and tries to turn over the
engine. Am I correct on this?


I don't know on I/O's. I know that on the outboards I've had, the
engine turns over, but because there is no ignition power, it won't
start.

In fact .... come to think of it ... isn't an electric fuel pump
supposed to be powered through an oil pressure switch or something?

It's been a while since I had an I/O.


Eisboch




Boat electric pumps also work for a short time when the ignition is turned
on. Just like a car.

Fuel Pump Question
 

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 30 Mar 2008 21:12:38 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:


"jamesgangnc" wrote in message
...
"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
...



Boat electric pumps also work for a short time when the ignition is
turned on. Just like a car.


I wanted to be sure about this ... I think you are incorrect ....

http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/bo.../183-524-b.htm

Eisboch

Electronic fuel injection pumps usually run for a couple seconds when
the
ignition is first turned on to build up pressure. At least they do on
cars, I'm assuming they do the same on boats.


Not supposed to by Federal regulation.

They should be wired such that they run *only* when the starter is engaged
or a oil pressure switch is satisfied.
They should *not* run .... even for a short period of time .... with the
ignition "on" but the engine not running.



I wonder if that includes outboards?

No.

http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/bo.../183-501-a.htm

(lots of good information here)

Eisboch

Fuel Pump Question
 

On Sun, 30 Mar 2008 21:28:02 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:


"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
.. .
On Sun, 30 Mar 2008 21:12:38 -0400, "Eisboch" wrote:


"jamesgangnc" wrote in message
...
"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
...



Boat electric pumps also work for a short time when the ignition is
turned on. Just like a car.


I wanted to be sure about this ... I think you are incorrect ....

http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/bo.../183-524-b.htm

Eisboch

Electronic fuel injection pumps usually run for a couple seconds when
the
ignition is first turned on to build up pressure. At least they do on
cars, I'm assuming they do the same on boats.


Not supposed to by Federal regulation.

They should be wired such that they run *only* when the starter is engaged
or a oil pressure switch is satisfied.
They should *not* run .... even for a short period of time .... with the
ignition "on" but the engine not running.

I wonder if that includes outboards?

No.

http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/bo.../183-501-a.htm

(lots of good information here)

Outboards rule!!

Inboards drool!!

Fuel Pump Question
 

Well, that's going to be embarrassing. The boat's back in storage but I plan
to go up one night this week to check this out. I'd completely forgotten
about the kill switch. I pulled the starter relay and was going to order a
new one ($15.00) but I think I'll wait.

The kill switch doesn't show up on my engine wiring diagram and the "circuit
breakers" on my diagram are actually fuses. I hand traced every wire and
checked every connection from the starter to the ECM, it all looked good

I'll post the final answer (if I can stand the embarrassment) once I get up
to the lake and get this resolved.

Thanks for all your responses. By the way, in my troubleshooting, I did find
one scary item, a stainless steel fuel line was coming loose. The nut on
the flare fitting was only hand tight. I'd done a visual inspection when I
worked on it last week but lesson learned, from now on I'll test each
fitting with a wrench.

Thanks again,

P

"ILUVMYBOAT" wrote in message
. net...
I recently had the stern drive on my boat serviced. The engine is a 2000
Volvo 4.3 Gi/SX. I only had the stern drive serviced.

The week prior to taking it to the dealer, I changed all my filters
including the fuel filter, changed the engine oil, and changed out my sea
water impeller. I ran the engine repeatedly both before and after my work
and it was as smooth as could be. The fuel tank was full and I stabilized
the new tank of fuel prior to putting it to bed for our brief winter. I
live in Northern Calif so it was only put away from 1 Dec to early March.

After returning from the dealer I tried to take the boat out for a brief
run--no start and not a hint of sound coming from the fuel pumps. There
should be a 2 second priming period prior to turning over the engine.
Nothing, Dead. Not a hint.

I'm in the process of troubleshooting. I can't find any disconnected wires
or connectors. The battery is good and fully charged. The engine turns
over just fine. I reset the 50 amp circuit breaker (it didn't appear to be
tripped). My wiring diagram shows 4 other circuit breakers but I don't see
them on the engine itself. I'm on the way to work to pick up a digital
mulit-meter to check for power at the fuel pump electrical connections but
I thought I'd ask this group if there was something obvious that I might
be missing.

Taking the boat back to the Volvo service center is a 3 hour round trip so
if I can get this on my own, I'd like to do so.

Thanks,

P

Fuel Pump Question
 

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
...



Boat electric pumps also work for a short time when the ignition is
turned on. Just like a car.


I wanted to be sure about this ... I think you are incorrect ....

http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/bo.../183-524-b.htm

Eisboch


I will have to recheck mine next time I use it. But I think the fact you
turn on the ignition is part of the starting procedure. The run time is
very short, short time delay relay I think.

Fuel Pump Question
 

"ILUVMYBOAT" wrote in message
et...

Well, that's going to be embarrassing. The boat's back in storage but I
plan to go up one night this week to check this out. I'd completely
forgotten about the kill switch. I pulled the starter relay and was going
to order a new one ($15.00) but I think I'll wait.



You won't be the first ..... or last. I just about killed a battery once
before the light bulb went on. Hopefully, it is your problem.


I'll tell you another embarrassing story. The boat I just sold had a
double sink in the galley. One side was a regular sink, the other, smaller
side was equipped with a garbage disposal.

A couple of years ago, shortly after "dewinterizing", I was cleaning up
stuff and ran water in both sections of the sink.
The large section drained quickly, but after a while the side with the
garbage disposal started backing up.
Thinking the disposal was clogged, I turned it on. The water churned and
agitated, but did not drain.

To make a long story short, I got a plunger and plunged away to no avail.
Finally, scooped all the water out as best I could and removed the garbage
disposal unit, making a mess with water everywhere. It was fine .... clean
as a whistle. Headed off to the hardware store and bought a snake. The
snake went into the drain fine for about 8 feet, then hit a solid blockage
that would not give.

Tried over and over for about an hour, "twisting" the snake .... jamming it
against the blockage, nothing worked. Then, the light bulb turned on. I
realized it didn't make sense that the main sink section drained fine, yet
the GD section didn't if the blockage was 8 feet down the drain.

Went down in the engine room and sure enough. Two drains. The main drain
ran to an above the waterline thru hull fitting.
The garbage disposal drain ran to a below the waterline thru hull which had
a nice, brass ball valve installed .... in the closed position, off course.
Scary thing was that I knew that .... I had just forgotten because in all
the years I owned the boat, I never used the garbage disposal.

Eisboch

Fuel Pump Question
 

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
...

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
...



Boat electric pumps also work for a short time when the ignition is
turned on. Just like a car.


I wanted to be sure about this ... I think you are incorrect ....

http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/bo.../183-524-b.htm

Eisboch


I will have to recheck mine next time I use it. But I think the fact you
turn on the ignition is part of the starting procedure. The run time is
very short, short time delay relay I think.




Is your boat engine fuel injected? Maybe the "rules" are different for FI
versus carbureted engines.

Eisboch

Fuel Pump Question
 

Boat electric pumps also work for a short time when the ignition is turned
on. Just like a car.

Bill,

I don't think that is accurate. I could be wrong though.

--Mike

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
...

"Mike" wrote in message
. net...
In fact .... come to think of it ... isn't an electric fuel pump
supposed
to be powered through an oil pressure switch or something?

Correct. The only time the fuel pump is supposed to operate is when there
is oil pressure, or the engine is cranking. It's pretty simple to figure
out why. That is unlike an automobile fuel pump that starts to do it's
thing when the key is simply switched on.

--Mike

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"JimH" wrote in message
...



Good idea. However, wouldn't an improperly seated or disengaged
safety lanyard clip result in no power to the engine, including to the
starter? ILUVMYBOAT stated that the starter engages and tries to turn
over the engine. Am I correct on this?


I don't know on I/O's. I know that on the outboards I've had, the
engine turns over, but because there is no ignition power, it won't
start.

In fact .... come to think of it ... isn't an electric fuel pump
supposed to be powered through an oil pressure switch or something?

It's been a while since I had an I/O.


Eisboch




Boat electric pumps also work for a short time when the ignition is turned
on. Just like a car.

Fuel Pump Question
 

Calif Bill wrote:

I will have to recheck mine next time I use it. But I think the fact you
turn on the ignition is part of the starting procedure. The run time is
very short, short time delay relay I think.


Mine does the same... runs about 1 second when the ignition
key is first turned on.

Fuel Pump Question
 

-rick- wrote:
Calif Bill wrote:

I will have to recheck mine next time I use it. But I think the fact
you turn on the ignition is part of the starting procedure. The run
time is very short, short time delay relay I think.


Mine does the same... runs about 1 second when the ignition key is first
turned on.

PFI by the way.

Fuel Pump Question
 

Eisboch-- thanks for the input. You were exactly on target. The lanyard for
the kill switch was coiled around the throttle and disconnected. Duh!

On my boat, upon turning the key, the fuel pumps energize for two seconds
then stop unless the starter is engaged. I verified this during a very brief
yet lovely sea trial at Lake Berryessa near Napa.

Thanks again,

Paul



BOAT" wrote in message
. net...
I recently had the stern drive on my boat serviced. The engine is a 2000
Volvo 4.3 Gi/SX. I only had the stern drive serviced.

The week prior to taking it to the dealer, I changed all my filters
including the fuel filter, changed the engine oil, and changed out my sea
water impeller. I ran the engine repeatedly both before and after my work
and it was as smooth as could be. The fuel tank was full and I stabilized
the new tank of fuel prior to putting it to bed for our brief winter. I
live in Northern Calif so it was only put away from 1 Dec to early March.

After returning from the dealer I tried to take the boat out for a brief
run--no start and not a hint of sound coming from the fuel pumps. There
should be a 2 second priming period prior to turning over the engine.
Nothing, Dead. Not a hint.

I'm in the process of troubleshooting. I can't find any disconnected wires
or connectors. The battery is good and fully charged. The engine turns
over just fine. I reset the 50 amp circuit breaker (it didn't appear to be
tripped). My wiring diagram shows 4 other circuit breakers but I don't see
them on the engine itself. I'm on the way to work to pick up a digital
mulit-meter to check for power at the fuel pump electrical connections but
I thought I'd ask this group if there was something obvious that I might
be missing.

Taking the boat back to the Volvo service center is a 3 hour round trip so
if I can get this on my own, I'd like to do so.

Thanks,

P

Fuel Pump Question
 

"ILUVMYBOAT" wrote in message
...
Eisboch-- thanks for the input. You were exactly on target. The lanyard
for the kill switch was coiled around the throttle and disconnected. Duh!

On my boat, upon turning the key, the fuel pumps energize for two seconds
then stop unless the starter is engaged. I verified this during a very
brief yet lovely sea trial at Lake Berryessa near Napa.

Thanks again,

Paul




Good deal.

Sounds like fuel injected engines operate the fuel pump somewhat differently
than a carbureted version.

Eisboch