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Can a bad fuel vent check valve cause fuel to drain back/not prime? (94 gtx)

Alexh886

New Member
I pulled my fuel tank check valve and it is bad. I have been having problems with the fuel system holding prime. The supply line goes dry after a few hours and the pump can’t pull up fuel to start the engine. The pump is a brand new mikuni part. Could the vent check valve be to blame?
 
It shouldn’t let air both ways. There should be one under the rib rail that lets air out only and one up higher sometimes under the front of the seat that lets air in
 
From what your describing it sounds like it’s the valve up high that is bad
Yes it’s the one up high that’s supposed to let air in. It’s letting air both in and out. My thinking is that it’s letting pressure out of the tank/creating a vacuum so the fuel supply line is running dry. When I pull the full supply line off it dribbles a bit and then is dry.
 
Yes it’s the one up high that’s supposed to let air in. It’s letting air both in and out. My thinking is that it’s letting pressure out of the tank/creating a vacuum so the fuel supply line is running dry. When I pull the full supply line off it dribbles a bit and then is dry.
I guess in theory maybe while your driving the air passing over the end could create a very low pressure vacuum but I would think it’s negligible and would correct to atmospheric pressure the second you slowed down if in fact its letting air in and out. Also very odd that you’re only experiencing problems after a couple of hours of driving. Either way you’re going to want to replace it. The fuel tank should have a pound or 2 of positive pressure
 
I guess in theory maybe while your driving the air passing over the end could create a very low pressure vacuum but I would think it’s negligible and would correct to atmospheric pressure the second you slowed down if in fact its letting air in and out. Also very odd that you’re only experiencing problems after a couple of hours of driving. Either way you’re going to want to replace it. The fuel tank should have a pound or 2 of positive pressure
The fuel system loses prime after sitting overnight. I’ll go to start it up and it just cranks, there’s no fuel in the supply line. If I reprime it by blowing in the return line it starts and runs fine.
 
The fuel system loses prime after sitting overnight. I’ll go to start it up and it just cranks, there’s no fuel in the supply line. If I reprime it by blowing in the return line it starts and runs fine.
Gotcha, I was thinking you meant after driving for a few hours it wasn’t able to pull its fuel, I didn’t realize you meant after sitting it would lose its prime. Now I’m only guessing but I’m guessing there’s a check valve in the carb that would stop this from happening but I’m not sure on it. Perhaps the 2 Mylar discs in the fuel pump block? I would have to read through the mikuni carb manual again. I suppose it definitely wouldn’t hurt to replace they check valve either way, as I mentioned there is supposed to be a couple pounds of pressure in the fuel tank and there’s not.
 
The check valve allowing air in both ways will not cause it to not prime. Sounds like you need to rebuild the fuel pump if it isn't pulling fuel.
 
The check valve allowing air in both ways will not cause it to not prime. Sounds like you need to rebuild the fuel pump if it isn't pulling fuel.
Yeah it’s not pulling fuel. It’s really strange. The fuel pump body is a brand new mikuni part. I got it from summit racing
 
The check valve allowing air in both ways will not cause it to not prime. Sounds like you need to rebuild the fuel pump if it isn't pulling fuel.
Can you explain which component of the fuel pump it is that’s causing his problem where the fuel drains out of the supply line while the machine is sitting? Just curious, is it one or both of those Mylar discs ?
 
Can you explain which component of the fuel pump it is that’s causing his problem where the fuel drains out of the supply line while the machine is sitting? Just curious, is it one or both of those Mylar discs ?
I wish I knew man. I have a pressure tester coming tomorrow that I’m going to do some testing with. It must be something else on the carbs because I pulled a pump off of another set and the same thing is happening. This as well as the fact that the pump body and all rebuild parts I’m using are brand new oem.
 
I wish I knew man. I have a pressure tester coming tomorrow that I’m going to do some testing with. It must be something else on the carbs because I pulled a pump off of another set and the same thing is happening. This as well as the fact that the pump body and all rebuild parts I’m using are brand new oem.
Sorry I can’t help more, did you replace the 3 Mylar discs in the pump? There’s also a Mylar piece in the metering block, did you change it? For the ones in the pump, did you put the blue stripe up? You didn’t punch a hole through the grommets by accident did you? What type of hose do you have on the oulse line? Black fuel line is best. Once you get your tester in, see if the fuel pump will hold 4 pounds
 
Sorry I can’t help more, did you replace the 3 Mylar discs in the pump? There’s also a Mylar piece in the metering block, did you change it? For the ones in the pump, did you put the blue stripe up? You didn’t punch a hole through the grommets by accident did you? What type of hose do you have on the oulse line? Black fuel line is best. Once you get your tester in, see if the fuel pump will hold 4 pounds
IMG_0320.png
This is the pump body I got. Everything was pre-installed. I used black fuel line for the pulse line. I’ve checked pulse a number of times while cranking and it seems to be fine. The ski will start and run but it is a pain. After sitting there’s no hope of it starting on its own. I have to dump a little fuel in the carbs and reprime the system by blowing air through the return to the tank.
 

what about the oring in the fuel filter has it been changed? If not, you can pressure test it as well. That could be a possible cause
 
Run a fuel line to a separate container then direct to the carb inlet and see if it will pull fuel.
Go from there
 
I installed some clear riva fuel line from the reserve port to the carb inlet. The pump would suck a couple inches of fuel into the line and then it would drain back. I think part of the problem is there’s no pressure in the tank. I’m going to wait for the fuel tank inlet check valve to come in before I do any further diagnosing. There’s currently a tight fitting bolt in part of the vent line and I’ve been opening and closing the gas cap to see what difference it makes. I have to believe the tank being in vacuum is a major problem.
 
IMG_0329.jpeg
I’ve got fuel up to the carbs now. I’ll see in the morning if it’s still there. This pocket will not come out of the line right above the tank. I don’t know what to about the pump because it is holding 8psi. The zip ties are mercury cupping style zip ties that the local jet ski guy gave me. IMG_0328.jpeg
 
If it was mine I would get rid of that clear hose, the metal hose clamps and those big zipties.
Get the Thomas & Betts Fine adjustment cable ties, Standard 5-1/2"...
McMaster-Carr
 
Okay so it’s holding pressure up to the carbs, just won’t pull anything into the cylinders. I have a brand new fuel pump body so I wouldn’t think it could be that. Where do I go from here?
 
Fuel pump gets fuel from the tank to the needle and seat. Needle and seat lets fuel into the jets and engine. So either the needles and seats are stuck, diaphragm is bad, jets are plugged or your engine is not pulling a vacuum from low compression or rotary valve.
 
Fuel pump gets fuel from the tank to the needle and seat. Needle and seat lets fuel into the jets and engine. So either the needles and seats are stuck, diaphragm is bad, jets are plugged or your engine is not pulling a vacuum from low compression or rotary valve.
Okay I’ll check all that. I still need to see if it pulls fuel from a separate container
 
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