Fuel Pump

JDDDeere · Post by **JDDDeere** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:55 am

Hopefully an easy question. I took my mostly restored 1980 Spit (in which I am using a 1978 Rebuilt Kohler motor) out for its first ride.... it had a few very encouraging moments during which time I couldn't keep the skis on the ground

, but would frequently loose power and struggle to stay running. Upon closer examination, I do not beleive it it getting a constant supply of fuel. I put 2 galllons of 40:1 in the tank, but the gas doesn't seem to want to flow into the fuel line. I am thinking that maybe the pick line has fallen off? or the filter is clogged???

When it is idleing (trying to idle)... I can see mostly air with a few thin layers of gas occassionally being pulled into the carb.... so... I guess the question is... should that line be filled solidly with gas????

If this is my only fix, I think I'll be in real good shape. Will post a picture soon.

I know this belongs in classified... but if anyone has a belt gaurd, I'd be interested.

(sorry for run on post... what plugs are people using with this Kohler???)

Thanks everyone.

Dan

harleysportster · Post by **harleysportster** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 7:26 pm

JDDDeere,
I believe it is not uncommon to see air bubbles when idling. Once the engine is running faster for a few minutes, the bubbles should go away.
If you are unsure of the condition of the fuel filters, replace them both.
If the filters are begining to clog, the fuel cannot be delivered to keep up with the demand of the engine at a fast rpm.
One way to tell if a horizontal filter is clogged is to look at the level of gas. In a new filter, the level of gas will fill only 1/2 the filter. As the filter clogs, the level raises.

JDFanPa · Post by **JDFanPa** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 1:14 am

A QUICK CHECK.......take a new peice of fuel line and stick it on the tank fitting.........see if you can blow into it if the check valves there and no holes in the line should not be able to if you can check in the tank..................nowif thats all ok hook a gas line to the outlet of fuel pump and put it in a coffee can or clear jug and start sled and see if you are getting a decent amount of fuel flow should increase as you rev up sled just make sure your carb is full of gas first sled will idle for several minutes with no fuel line hooked to carb

dont use compresed air to blow in the line just good old mouth to line pressure LOL!!!

JDDDeere · Post by **JDDDeere** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:38 am

THanks for the info!!! I really think the pick line is either clogged or has fallen off.

In either case, I am not getting gas to flow out of the tank easily so I am going to pull the gas line fitting out and inspect/replace the p/u. Plus, as an aside, 1.5 - 2 gallons of gas isn't really enough to fill the tank to any great extent... if the pick up lineis off, the fitting is 1.5 - 2 inches from the bottom of the tank... I'm not sure I have enough gas i the tank to even cover that!!! THe external flter is new as are all the lines and fuel pump.

I have a pair of new NGK plugs (BR8ES)... these OK on the Kohler???

THanks again.

Dan

JDFanPa · Post by **JDFanPa** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 2:36 am

not sure if they are the correct plugs but they should be close enough to run it if nothing else.............maybe before bustin your hump trying to replace the intank stuff try running the sled out of a 1 gallon gas jug and see if it pulls the gas

78440liquid · Post by **78440liquid** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 3:17 pm

If you have a Mikuni butterfly carb, there is a small brass tube that goes from the top of the carb down to the fuel bowl. They have a tendency for the end to rot off and give the results you described. My Spit did the same thing-pull the skis, die off, pull the skis again, etc. Pull your carb apart, clean it, replace that tube, if needed, and try again. Hope this helps, Joel.

JDDDeere · Post by **JDDDeere** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 10:25 pm

Thaks for the thopughts/advice

It is the slide carb (on the Kohler engine). I cleaned out the tank. THe pick hose was off and in about 4 seperate pieces... I fished the pieces out with a coat hanger. Even got the little filter to come out... in good shape. Anyway, I am 99% sure I ddin't ahve enough gas in it (maybe 1 gallon) and without a pick up line, the level of the gas was not always above this level. Rinsed int out 1x time and put in 3 gallons and a new pick up line ... indoors seem to pull gas nicely. Snow is gone in the NE... so I can't try it!!!

Dan