Still Leaking Fuel

[mswyka]

At the beginning of the season we pulled three sleds out of the barn to keep at the house just in case of snow.  And in our case that was one day so far.  On that one day we found one of the intruders leaking fuel - apparently from the fuel pump.  Pump replaced and everything seemed to be OK.  Today I had nothing better to do so I started each of the sleds just to prove to myself that they still run and both of the Intruders were leaking fuel and appeared to be leaking fuel at the pump.  Didn't feel like pulling them apart just at that moment to be sure of what I was seeing but I am curious if anyone else has had any problems with leaky pumps?

[Interceptor398]

Never from the pump but there are many connections in that area??

[mswyka]

Yes, when I get incentivized I will have to do a more thorough investigation.

[jimvw57]

I have had sleds where someone used 1/4 inch fuel lines and it leaked when the weather changed, they were a bit large and would need clamps to keep them from leaking. I replaced them with some low temp lines the correct size. Check the tee fitting that goes up to the primer pump.

[mswyka]

Jim, thanks.  We have switched to 3/16 line and in some cases 3/16 line and clamps.  I do need to spend some more time to see exactly what is going on with these pumps, but on first inspection it looks like fuel is oozing out of the pump.  If I get some initiative later this week I will let you know what I find.

[mswyka]

While I gave serious consideration to sheepishly ignoring this post.  I now think it best to fess up and relay that my initial diagnosis and my recollection were both incorrect.  Turns out that these two sleds both had 1/4 inch fuel line.  One had clamps on each end and one had clamps only on the pump end.  Even with the clamps the lines were not tight enough to hold. 

I am glad to report that both pumps work very well and have good pressure.  I am also pleased to report that the carb needles and seats seal tight.  And now I can truthfully report that both sleds have 3/16 line, and clamps, and do not leak.  The bad news is that in the process of the diagnosis I managed to brake the poly carbonate windscreen on the 79 Intruder.  Good thing we have  a few spares :-)