Lifter Pump Voltage

[500whp335i]

Hey Guys! Long time since ive been on here! I sold my Challenger 1800 over 3 years ago now to a friend of a friend. Long story short the guy has called me because he cant find anyone to work on the boat and he needs some help. In the spring I actually serviced the boat for him (spark plugs, filters, ect) and it started right up. This past weekend he went to go out and the boat wouldnt start. It cranks strong but wont turn over and start. I went over to take a look and found the high pressure pump connected to the motor ticks and works as intended. The lifter pump in the fuel tank is not working. I checked the voltage and it is only getting 8 volts... I tested the voltage from the positive right to the negative battery terminal to rule out a poor ground. I was only able to test the voltage when the key was turned once to "on" or when the fuel system primes its self.

Any idea what the voltage is suppose to be when the pump is priming? It could be only 8 volts to limit the flow or else i need to start finding where the wire comes from and check for a bad fuse or relay. Thanks!!

 

[Dr Honda]

There isn't a lift pump in the tank. It's on the side of the engine... so I'm not exactly sure what you are checking. But... assuming it is the lift pump... it should see 12v. There's a relay and fuse mounted right next to it, that controls it.

 

[500whp335i]

If that pump on the port side of the motor is the only pump than yes that is running.. I was testing the connector that leads to the pickup tube/ fuel sensor in the tank. Back to the drawing board... Thanks Tony!

 

[Dr Honda]

The wires on the tank are just the fuel level sender.

 

[500whp335i]

Okay so after looking into it further the fuel pump (sae j1171) is running but is not pushing any fuel out. I checked the filter. It's clear of debris, I can easily blow through it. I pulled the pump off and blew through that as well.

Whats my next step here? Do I run the fuel line directly into the tank and make sure it's submerged in fuel and isn't suckin up air? Could the fuel pump be running but not actually pulling fuel?

 

[Dr Honda]

Try to suck on the fuel hose from the tank. If nothing comes up... there's an air leak. It could be as simple as a split hose, or loose clamp.

 

[500whp335i]

Try to suck on the fuel hose from the tank. If nothing comes up... there's an air leak. It could be as simple as a split hose, or loose clamp.

So we did this and fuel was suck up (i wasnt the one sucking :hurray. reconnected all of the fuel lines and primed the fuel system...sure enough fuel started flowing. There must have been some air lock or something. Went to start the motor and no luck. The motor was now getting fuel but still wont start... I pulled the plugs and found this... Is it moisture causing this?

 

[Dr Honda]

It could have just been a loose clamp at the lift pump. it happens... and it actually happened to me once.

As far as the plugs..... I'm not sure what you are seeing? If it's just the "Wet"... well... it's a boat with a wet exhaust. You will see some moisture on the plugs. If it's white... well... yep, that's not good. But how old are the plugs?

 

[500whp335i]

It could have just been a loose clamp at the lift pump. it happens... and it actually happened to me once.

As far as the plugs..... I'm not sure what you are seeing? If it's just the "Wet"... well... it's a boat with a wet exhaust. You will see some moisture on the plugs. If it's white... well... yep, that's not good. But how old are the plugs?

If you zoom in on the second pic you can see it appears to be foamy and white...

 

[Dr Honda]

To me... it just looks like condensation mixing with the leftover 2-stroke oil.

BUT... I see white flecks? Are those just bubbles, or were they hard?

 

[500whp335i]

To me... it just looks like condensation mixing with the leftover 2-stroke oil.

BUT... I see white flecks? Are those just bubbles, or were they hard?

Just bubbles, nothing hard

 

[500whp335i]

To me... it just looks like condensation mixing with the leftover 2-stroke oil.

BUT... I see white flecks? Are those just bubbles, or were they hard?

So I was back at it today and found that where the fuel collects/ where it use to mix seems to be clogged. The fuel gets to the tank but when I pull the drain plug nothing comes out. I tried to blow through where the fuel line connects with the nipple and could not.

Is there a fuel filter in that holding tank? What could cause the fuel not to flow through that nipple?

 

[Dr Honda]

Yes.... well, sort of.

The bottom of the high pressure pump is mounted in a cage/screen/strainer. It's known to get plugged up. So... pull the top off, and the pump, and clean the screen. (and everything else inside too)

 

[500whp335i]

Yes.... well, sort of.

The bottom of the high pressure pump is mounted in a cage/screen/strainer. It's known to get plugged up. So... pull the top off, and the pump, and clean the screen. (and everything else inside too)

Alrighty!! Another project this afternoon! I'll let you know how it goes

 

[500whp335i]

Yes.... well, sort of.

The bottom of the high pressure pump is mounted in a cage/screen/strainer. It's known to get plugged up. So... pull the top off, and the pump, and clean the screen. (and everything else inside too)

Tony surprisingly it was all really clean! But I did find this needle attached to a float. This needle was stuck in the up position. I was able to to free it, but when I was assembling the pump it dislodged from the float... Also the gasket for the pump is shot. I put it all back together to see if the boat would start. And she did!! But now I need to find a new gasket or make one.

My question is does that needle need to be in there? If so where do I get a new pump? Because that thing isn't going back on lol!!