Engine not starting, Fuel Pump?

[gunnin4six]

I finally got around to getting the boat ready for the summer ('98 Ski, GT-40). Replaced the impeller and started her up. Ran like a top for the first 60 seconds when I noticed a leak in one of the hoses (not a surprise, I rushed to winterize it). Quickly fixed the hose and tried to restart it and it wouldn't. Engine rolls over, just won't catch.
In my 3 or 4 attempts to start it I noticed I am not getting the usual "whirrring" sound when I turn the key to the on position, just a click, so I am guessing it is the fuel pump, but I am no mechanic.

Has anyone else had a fuel pump go on a GT-40, and how long did it last before it went? Was it easy to replace, the pump seems accessible.

Are there any easy checks to elliminate a potential problem?

My dealer is 4.5 hours away, so I would like to solve it myself.

Thanks for any help!

[WIKD281]

RE: Engine not starting, Fuel Pump?

I have never had that problem but maybe I can help you trouble shoot a couple things? I dont know much about mechanics but the little I know I might help? The fuel pump should be located at the front left of the motor. Its inside of the canister that is black and has the 2-3 lines running into the top. I forget what PCM calls it (fuel canister?) its easily accessible with the motor box up. Its a black cylindrical looking piece that has a drain plug on the bottom. Try to loosen the lower portion of the canister. That is where your fuel pump is located as well as the filter. If it is too hard to loosen it by hand you can take a oil filter wrench and try to put some tape or a rag around it so that you dont scratch it. It is a regular thread so to loosen turn the canister to the left. Carefull- the canister will probably be full of fuel so when you take it off> make sure you have something the catch the fuel from dropping into your hull. Try to check the fuel filter first. If the filter is too dirty im not sure if there is a fuse for the pump but I would also check that. Last thing you can do is put direct power to the fuel pump and see if it will turn on. If it turns on you know you dont need a pump.
Hope this helps!
Please let us know the outcome of your findings.
Good luck.
Harold.

[WIKD281]

pic of canister

heres a pic of it........................

[Flux]

RE: pic of canister

The FCC should have two nuts on the very bottom, one to hold with a wrench and one to take off to drain it. Fuel and water will come out as this is the separation area. Drain it before you take the canister itself off. You will need some fuel resistant thread sealer for the drain nut. I have not cracked mine open yet, but am told that two oil filter wrenches (strap or other) will do it. You may also want to use a large channel lock wrench. Inside is the filter and the high pressure fuel pump. There may also be a low pressure fuel pump at the gas tank. When reinstalling the canister, put a light coating of oil based grease on the o-ring.

You may want to look at the low pressure fule pump on the gas tank first to make sure it's working before cracking the FCC unit open. I am assuming that your boat has both.

[DRAGON88]

RE: pic of canister

My boat would start cold last summer('99 Sport Nauti gt-40), and then it would die once it got warm and it wouldn't restart. So we replaced the fuel pump and that didn't fix the problem. It ended up being a stupid $5 fuel pump relay. Just one more thing to check out before you spend the money for a new fuel pump...

[gunnin4six]

RE: pic of canister

Thanks everyone! Ill try them this sunday (clubs putting the course in on Sat, have to be there). I'll let everyone know how it turns out.

[gunnin4six]

RE: pic of canister

Flux,
Isn't the low pressure fuel pump the one to the lower left of the FCC in the Picture?

[Rick]

RE: pic of canister

I do beleive you are correct. That is the one you should hear clicking or whirring. I would look at the breakers at the black box under the front dash. You may have popped a breaker for the fuel system.

[gunnin4six]

fuel pump problem?

Rick,

I checked the power to the connectors at both fuel pumps when I turn the key to on, and read about .8 - .9 volts. If this seems correct, them I am guesing one of the pumps are bad(still no whirring sound anymore). I will start with the low pressure pump, and see if that solves the problem.

[skinautique]

RE: fuel pump problem?

This is very hard to troubleshoot over the internet but you say that you are getting a click. If you are only getting a "click" I would check to make sure that you are getting power to the starter relay and the starter itself. When you turn the key to the accessory position, do you hear the pumps spool up? If you do, I would definately investigate the starter and the starter relay.

[Sbt3]

This just happened to me yesterday trying to start my boat. It turned out to be the saftey lanyard. It was hooked up correctly but the switch was bad. I took of the lanyard and push the botton in hard a couple of times then the fuel system started to presurise. I wired the two wires of the switch together and the problem was solved. There may also be a inline fuse to the battery that could also cause that. HOpe that helps.

[nms1991]

What year of boat? 95 to 98 check for a good connection at the battery of the 10 gauge wire for the computer memory. Aslo check your lanyard making sure it is clipped on all the way.

[gunnin4six]

Ok, boats running!!
Saturday after checking the voltage to each pump, I decided to call my dealer, Adirondack Marine. 2 minutes on the phone with him and he had the answer, bad battery connection. He said either the connection is dirty, or, if the terminal clamps are factory(they are), one of them may be loose and need replacing.
I just took a wire brush to each post, reconnected, and she started right up.

I am still baffled that the connection was good enough to turn the engine over, but not to spin up the motor in the fuel pump.

Either way, she's running, nms1991 hit it on the head, my boat is a '98.

Thanks everyone who replied, would not have been able to eliminate items without you guys.