Fuel flow problem

SPECKDECK · 02-12-2012, 12:42 AM

So, I cranked the Honda 225 around Christmas and it fired right up. Went out today and it won't crank. The bulb won't pull gas from the tank. I ran a wire down the hose to the tank until it "hard stopped". It wouldn't do any further. Kinda confusing. I thought I'd be able to push as far into the tank as I wanted. It had a hard feel at the stop, not like a sludgy clog or anything like that. I pulled it back out and it had about 4-5 inches of fuel on it. I ran it up towards the motor until it stopped. No obvious clogs. Is there a one way valve where the hose enters the tank that could be stuck? I'm at a loss here. Never seen this kind of problem in about 25 years of operating outboards. The bulb had good suction. I couldn't blow air into or suck anything out from the tank. It's an '06 Nautic Star.
Any Ideas Guys???

sealark · 02-12-2012, 05:35 AM

Two things to check, There is a anti siphon check valve in the fitting on top of the tank that can give trouble. then there is a filter screen in most tanks on the bottom of the pickup tube. You can remove the tube from the top of the tank back side of the tank and remedy both problems. I removed the anti siphon ball and took the screen off the tube. No shop can do it for you because it's a requirement from the manufactures and a safety thing.

TheCaptKen · 02-12-2012, 09:31 AM

Is the bulb staying flat when you attempt to squeeze it? Probably the bulb has lost prime and it just won't suck like it use to. What I do sometimes is remove the hose from the exit side of the bulb, hold a finger lightly over the nipple and pump the bulb. I let my finger act like a valve allowing air out but then stopping the air from re-entering the bulb. Doesn't take very long before fuel is back in the bulb and pumping.

SPECKDECK · 02-13-2012, 12:57 AM

Thanks guys,
The bulb was collapsed at first, but then it performed correctly after removing it and putting it back. I stuck my finger to the intake end and it had good suction. I seemed to suck a little bit of fuel. Just enough to tease the engine into starting. It held a lot of pressure, just no fuel going through it. I think that it might be leaning more towards the valve problem near the tank. I'll try that when I get back to the boat and let you know how it turns out.
Thanks again!!

sealark · 02-13-2012, 05:56 AM

Just take the fitting out and use a small punch or rod to knock the ball out of the fitting. If you have a filter in line I would remove the screen from the end of the tube also. That's just me others would have something to say about it i'm sure..

02-12-2012, 12:42 AM	#1
SPECKDECK Senior Member Trigger Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Wetumpka, OB, AL Posts: 224	Fuel flow problem So, I cranked the Honda 225 around Christmas and it fired right up. Went out today and it won't crank. The bulb won't pull gas from the tank. I ran a wire down the hose to the tank until it "hard stopped". It wouldn't do any further. Kinda confusing. I thought I'd be able to push as far into the tank as I wanted. It had a hard feel at the stop, not like a sludgy clog or anything like that. I pulled it back out and it had about 4-5 inches of fuel on it. I ran it up towards the motor until it stopped. No obvious clogs. Is there a one way valve where the hose enters the tank that could be stuck? I'm at a loss here. Never seen this kind of problem in about 25 years of operating outboards. The bulb had good suction. I couldn't blow air into or suck anything out from the tank. It's an '06 Nautic Star. Any Ideas Guys???

02-12-2012, 09:31 AM	#3
TheCaptKen Senior Member Trigger Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 295	Is the bulb staying flat when you attempt to squeeze it? Probably the bulb has lost prime and it just won't suck like it use to. What I do sometimes is remove the hose from the exit side of the bulb, hold a finger lightly over the nipple and pump the bulb. I let my finger act like a valve allowing air out but then stopping the air from re-entering the bulb. Doesn't take very long before fuel is back in the bulb and pumping. __________________ NelsonMarineService.com

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02-12-2012, 05:35 AM	#2
sealark Senior Member Sailfish Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pensacola, Sherman Cove Marina Posts: 2,142	Two things to check, There is a anti siphon check valve in the fitting on top of the tank that can give trouble. then there is a filter screen in most tanks on the bottom of the pickup tube. You can remove the tube from the top of the tank back side of the tank and remedy both problems. I removed the anti siphon ball and took the screen off the tube. No shop can do it for you because it's a requirement from the manufactures and a safety thing.

02-13-2012, 12:57 AM	#4
SPECKDECK Senior Member Trigger Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Wetumpka, OB, AL Posts: 224	Thanks guys, The bulb was collapsed at first, but then it performed correctly after removing it and putting it back. I stuck my finger to the intake end and it had good suction. I seemed to suck a little bit of fuel. Just enough to tease the engine into starting. It held a lot of pressure, just no fuel going through it. I think that it might be leaning more towards the valve problem near the tank. I'll try that when I get back to the boat and let you know how it turns out. Thanks again!!

02-13-2012, 05:56 AM	#5
sealark Senior Member Sailfish Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pensacola, Sherman Cove Marina Posts: 2,142	Just take the fitting out and use a small punch or rod to knock the ball out of the fitting. If you have a filter in line I would remove the screen from the end of the tube also. That's just me others would have something to say about it i'm sure..

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