I've had my FB for about 3 months now and its been getting slowly ressurected...it was a rust bucket that wouldn't start when i got my hands on it. I fixed all the rust and I had it starting. It stopped pumping fuel when the engine was trying to start and pumped right after so i went and bought a new fuel pump. Its still doing the same thing even after installing the new pump.

 

Slayer, is it carb'd or FI?

You stated that it was a rust bucket. Start there. Which means there is a good posibility that there is alot of rust in the tank. I presume you changed out the fuel filter?

First thing I would do is get a suitable container to catch fuel then take the inlet hose that goes to the fuel pump off and see if there is a continual flow of fuel being feed by gravity. If there is not then you probably need to drain the fuel and take the tank to a radiator shop and have it cleaned out.

If there is alot of fuel coming out of the line then check for restrictions up to the motor.

This is taking in consideration that you have verified that there is still power to the fuel pump and that you can here it coming on.

 

My motor is carb'd and the fuel pump is working, I've changed the fuel filter twice, theres no blckage from the filter to carb so i'll go check the tank a bit later today and write up my results.

 

if its an 84 or 85, its more than likely the relay, if you search for it, you should come up with more info. i would tell you, but i know nothing more than it causes the fuel pump to stop working.

 

I had similar problems with an '83 that had been sitting for 13 years. Pull the fuel line off at the carb and check fuel flow. Specifics on volume / pressure are in FSM or probably another thread if you search. If it's not up to spec, work backwards through the fuel system checking at each place there is a fuel line connection. If it's okay at the carb, check forward through the system as the return line may be clogged up. If it's gunk/rust in the tank, a radiator shop probably won't be able to get it all out. After I took mine to one, it was still clogging filters with rust, so I also had to do the POR 15 kit to clean & seal the tank. It's been working fine for several weeks now. If you have gunk/rust in the tank o lines, it may have gotten into teh carb. I had to pull mine apart again a few weeks after I rebuilt it and clean sludge out of the bowls. I added an in-line fuel fuilter at the carb to help prevent this,a nd so I could see if fuel was flowing.

Good luck! - David

 

I just checked the tank and there is no flow at all, so would it be easier/cheaper for me to clean the tank myself or to take it to a shop to have it cleaned?

 

do it yourself. it has to strap. depending on the year, it may have a drain plug, and dont forget to unhook the filler neck. but becareful, if the bolts on the straps are rusty, you will run into problems.


WAIT, have you replace your fuel filter yet??

 

mines an '84 GS (yes/no drain plug?) and what kind of problems are you talking about with the rusty bolts? and do i need anything specific to clean the tank?

 

you should have a drain plug. and if the bolts on the straps are rusty, you may strip them. and i just cleaned mine with water, and then some sort of solvent. but miine wasnt rusty on the inside.

 

If your fuel pump is working clean our your fuel lines.

After hurricane katrina, we were cleaning out fuel rails 6times a week at the mechanic shop. it was bad.

 

well looks like I've got another project for the next while, thanks for all the help, at least I've got new parts that came in today . And I've changed my filter twice.

 

If you're going to clean the tank yourself, do a Google search on "POR 15 fuel tank clean seal" and read about the products. Be careful if you still have the original pickup and return lines in the tank as they may have get sealed in the process The '84 may have the plate on top that unbolts that has the pickup and return in it. It should also have a drain plug. Loosen the front bolts on the gas tank straps as they are longer and easier to get started back in when you put the tank back on. If you have a power washer, you may be able to know a lot of stuff loose in the tank with it. Some people have discussed putting bolts or nuts in the tank and shaking to loosen stuff in the tank as well.

- David