While starting your engine, if you fail to get the familiar sound, then obviously you will conclude that something is wrong somewhere. Mostly, your battery must be the one to check the first. If you are not too familiar with your vehicle’s mechanism, you will obviously seek help from a professional.
Your fuel pump’s chance to malfunction is much more in such a situation. OSIAS, a China-based company, offers a boat fuel pump, one of the most reliable options.
How Can You Diagnose a Bad Fuel Pump
1. Are you hearing the fuel pump?
While starting your engine, you must first hear the fuel pump spinning up before the engine sounds. If you fail to hear, then perhaps your fuel pump has an issue or an electrical problem.
2. Does your boat pop or seem underpowered?
There is also a possibility that the pipe through which fuel flows may have an issue. Make sure that there is no clog in the fuel line.
3. Whether the fuel is burning faster than usual?
If you have been using your boat for quite some time, you must be acquainted with how the fuel burns, and if you notice any abnormality, it is obviously an issue with the fuel system.
4. Is your outboard overheating?
Obviously, the fuel movement will cause a little bit of temperature rise; however, if it is abnormally heating up, you will surely notice it.
If you have reasonably ensured that there are no other issues, try to hear the engine sound and ensure your fuel pump is okay. Check the spark plug by removing it. The cylinder may be giving trouble if you observe low pressure. If pressure is normal, then the fuel pump must be the culprit.
How to Test Your Fuel Pump
To check your fuel pump, first of all, check the one-way valves. This allows fuel flow in a single direction, i.e., fuel tank to your engine. The fuel goes to the pump through the inlet valve. The outlet valve will let the fuel flow from the pump to the engine.
Outboard fuel pump testing
Typically, your fuel pump has got single inlet and 2 outlets. Use a pressure gauge or some hand tools to check and remove from the pump.
Close the inlet by using your thumb and connect a pressure gauge to the outlet of the fuel. Now, by using the pump, try to raise the pressure gauge reading. Release the thumb to control the pressure.
If your one-way valves are Ok, then they will hold the pressure, as valves will never allow pressure to get released backward. However, if you notice that pressure is falling, then obviously, there is a specific leak somewhere.
If the pump valves are in good working order and you have a mechanical pump with a diaphragm, you will proceed to test it. The diaphragm pushes fuel into the pump, which may be seen through a hole in the pump’s back.
Connect the fuel pump to the intake fuel line, disconnect the output fuel line, and push the priming bulb to generate pressure. If you see fuel seeping out of the opening, the diaphragm is faulty.
