The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 216 fuel pump not working

I ran out of gas and after refueling,the pump was not getting gas to the fuel filter and the carb. I tried priming the carb but no luck. This happened before and after several tries of priming it started with no further problems. Everything is new back to the tank except the pump. Is this an indication I need to replace it or would it be something else? Steve

You could have gunk in the fuel tank, and there might be a blockage.

Try disconnecting the fuel line at the fuel pump.
Blow air back to the fuel tank (gas cap loosened).
If air blows/flows freely, connect the line back up, crank the engine, and see if fuel flows.

With a full tank, remove the line to the pump. Gas should flow and make a mess. No flow? plugged. Gravity works well at this place. See post above to clear small stuff. If no joy, then pull line at the bottom of the tank. Careful, it will drain on you if not plugged. No flow? Plugged?. Push a stiff wire up into the tank to move the crud. Good times.

If you find that you have crud in the tank (after following Steve & my directions/suggestions), it would be a good idea to remove your tank and clean it out (or, worst case, replace it).

Tim, well I found the problem. There is a new NAPA filter between the pump and the tank. I pulled the gas line on the tank side and it "gurgled" a bit and then ran free. On that same side of the filter, there is a small crimp in the line. Could that have caused a vapor lock? I was starting to run out of gas as I explained above. Actually, I may not have been running out and instead it was the vapor lock and the engine stopping that made me think that. I have not solved the gas gauge problem yet.

I do not know about vapor lock (unlikely) but a crimped line could easily block flow.