Fuel Pump Question

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Ivory Ghost

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Hey! New to the Forum; hoping for some good feedback. Sorry but I'd accidentally posted this in the wrong place yesterday. Rookie mistake!!!

I have an '85 VMax that's been rebuilt top to bottom and has worked perfect the last 3 years. This morning it left me stranded for the first time. I was in a haul ass hurry because I was late for work so I'd been cruising at about 85 (faster than I've been riding it around town this year) for just a few miles when all of the sudden it started to bog down and I basically could only get it to idle. It was only about 60 degrees out and I'd only ridden 5 miles, so overheat, vapor lock, etc. is not what I'm worried about.

After getting it on a trailer and home after work I began looking into the fuel pump; it was clicking fine, but I only get about 2 ounces of gas in the first few seconds after turning on the key (then it stops). I tried finding answers as to how much it should pump but still have no clue on that; any info would be appreciated.

Anyway, I put it back together and got it running fine, but I still don't think it's right. I've changed the fuel filter so I don't have that as a variable, but I'm no where near confident it can get me down the highway on a long ride.

OK, so here's what I can tell you it's doing. With the fuel line unhooked from the carbs and dumping gas into a small bottle (therefor no back pressure is being built up) it clicks for just 3 seconds after I turn on the key, then it stops. Also, with the gas lines hooked to the carbs, it runs for the same 3 seconds and stops...EVERY time! I can turn the key on (without starting the bike) 100 times, one time immediately after another, and it always clicks for 3 seconds and stops!

I would think that if it was working right it would build up pressure and only click a second or less after 3 or 4 times of turning on the key. I'm doing it as fast as I can and the battery is charged up so it's clicking as fast as I think it ever has. So, since it's not building up enough pressure to turn itself off quickly after consecutive "key-ons" (as it's filling the carbs - and no, they're not leaking gas out anywhere), I'm wondering if there's a good chance that the pump is only working marginally and possibly the diaphragms or seals inside are letting some gas back into the tank.

Bottom line, does it sound like a fuel pump issue; should I just replace it?
 
maleko89 told me: "The fuel pump and relay are working fine. The fuel pump relay has an ignition feed so that it'll shut off after a few seconds when the bike isn't running. This is a safety feature. If your bike was running the relay/pump would run continuously to keep the bowls full of fuel. I would try running the bike again. Stay close to home and if it happens again take your gas cap off. Listen for a whoosh of air. Also, check your fuel tank vent line/tip over valve. Drain the float bowls...one at a time and make sure you have close to an equal amount of fuel in each one. Silly question, you sure you have fuel in the tank? Is it low? Perhaps reserve switch circuit isn't working and/or low fuel light isn't lit?"
 
And I replied: "Bike was low on gas the day before; started to miss a little and the tank mounted fuel light was flickering; flipped to reserve and it came back to life like always. Rode another 5 or 6 miles, filled up, flipped reserve off and rode several more miles before heading home. The next day is when is weirded out, but it's got a full tank.

What's the significance of the 'swoosh of air'? Also, where's the tip over valve?"

Now that I've messed up the entire forum. o_O Hopefully I can get a lil' more info!
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Ok....check the vent line coming from the tank. The swoosh of air, means that the vent line is clogged, and the tank is unable to draw air. Once the tank has a vacuum on it, the pump will be unable to pump any more, then you take the gas cap off.....equalize the pressure...and the pump should pump some more.

So....clean the gas tank vent line...its probably clogged.
 
Check the supply line on the tank also ,the hoses, filter coming from the tank going to the suction port of the fuel pump.
 
Got it, thanks!!! Not clogged, but maybe the check valve had acted up and stuck shut. I'm assuming it should be in there with the larger length 2 step port facing up so that it breathes rather than down causing the ball inside to seal air off, correct?
 
No where did you say you had the business end of your pump apart and visually verified that BOTH the small rubber valves were correctly in place. If both the inlet valve and the outlet valve of that pump become dislodged at the same time, it will not build adequate pressure to sustain normal riding. There's a thread around here somewhere with pics on exactly what I am describing.
 
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