Fuel pump issue?

[Taiser]

Hey guys...

Just got my 2160 cub back from the dealer (had the autogear clutch pack replaced) and tried it out the first time yesterday. Everything was fine, then got to my front yard ditch that has a slight incline and the engine cut out, just like someone turned off the switch!

Tried to start it and it wouldn't go start (turnes over fine), after a minute or two of sitting it started! I did another loop and going back into the ditch at the exact same angle is stalls again!!! Wouldn't start after. Towed it back to my garage and then it fired up, ran about 1 minute and stalled again...turns over for a minute, still won't start, then let is sit for a minute and it fires up, again for less than a minute. Adding choke does nothing.

Checked the plugs, fuel is fine, tank is pretty full. It worked fine before it went to the dealer (who's a good guy I know personally and someone I trust) for the repairs. It's not any safety switches (yanked those out long ago) and I got fuel going to the pump from the tank no problem it runs freely when the line is lower than the gas tank.

I popped the carb fuel feed off (outlet of the pump) and turned over the engine, it ran with whatever was in the carb and I noticed the fuel just kinda dribbling out of the outlet of the pump. I'm not sure how much pressure or how hard the pump should be pumping this out at..should it do more than dribble out?

Engine is a Vanguard 16 horse commercial model. I'm 99% sure it has to be the fuel pump but maybe someone has had the same problem?

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[Willl]

should it do more than dribble out?

I would expect a good decent flow from a 'pump'. What kind of pump is it ?

What kind of flow do you have going into the pump ?

Filler cap vent hole plugged ?

 

[savageactor7]

Well Taiser if you go in the ditch from the opposite direction does it still shut down? Hummm kind of stumped.

 

[Taiser]

It's a diaphragm type pump that sits on the right cylinder head. Flow to the pump is good from the tank. I unhooked the feed line and it poured out no problem when placed lower than the gas tank. Tried it with the gas cap off too, no difference flow is fine TO the pump.

The fuel kinda seems to be dribbling out at low volume when the engine is running, but that's only for a 4-5 seconds before it stops running when the carb runs dry. When the starter is engaged it seems to pump a bit more, shooting out maybe 1 inch or so in pulses.

I may try feeding the gas by gravity and by-passing the pump tonight to see if it runs, not sure if there has to be gas pressure in the carb though?

 

[Willl]

not sure if there has to be gas pressure in the carb though?

If it's a standard float bowl type carb, then no input pressure needed.

Can you pull the pump to inspect and clean ?

 

[Taiser]

Well it's not the fuel pump, tested it with a gas can. Same thing still happens on a direct fuel supply, seems worse now though..when it starts it runs for about 3 seconds, then stalls out. Then it cranks forever without kicking over. Let it sit 5 minutes, it kicks over runs 3 seconds then dies! WTF?

Checked the plugs, the fuel pump, cleaned the switches and connections, all the wiring. I am now officially stumped...

 

[Donsyl]

are there any fuel filters that might be stopped up a bit? maybe a little trash in them?

 

[OldMachinist]

Sounds like the float needle in the carb is stuck and is just letting a little bit of fuel past it.

 

[JTKub]

Sounds like the float needle in the carb is stuck and is just letting a little bit of fuel past it.

Agreed. Transporting that 2160 to/from the shop may have been just enough to stir up some sediment in the carb bowl and it was initially effected by angle.

Joel