Changing Fluids in Argo Engine

[Rock Doctor]

Couple things to try:
I've lost my fuel pump on the trail before, and for a trail fix, I rigged a temporary fuel tank that would gravity feed to the engine.
Nothing simpler, I used a Pop Bottle, rigged a fuel line going from the bottle spout to the fuel inlet on the carb. Fix the Pop Bottle upside down ABOVE the engine in some fashon (I used tape and willows). Make a hole in the bottom of the bottle, and fill with gas.
This will not purge/prime your existing fuel system, but if your having fuel pump issues, you will at least be able to fire your engine up and check it out.
Disconect the fuel line from the inlet side of your fuel filter, and try to blow some bubble back into the gas tank, this will let you know if you have a blockage in that line.
Pull the fuel filter and blow through it in the direction of flow. this will tell you if your filter is plugged.
If filter and lines are clear, you may have a fuel pump issue.

I don't think 5-6 second bumps cranking the engine over is enough to draw fuel through your system, might have to crank it longer. Do you have clear plastic or rubber tub for fuel line, that you would be able to see the fuel traveling through?

RD

[Rock Doctor]

its a mechanical pump on kohler m18, its located under intake manifol on left side of engine when you are facing theflywheel. you can disconnect fuel line at the pump easily on the inlet side of pump and go the the gas cap and remove and stick yuor mouth on and blow. you should get fuel like Brushcutter replied with little resistance.

This would work too, lol.

RD

[JohnF]

Well now, this has become quite the adventure.

If I understood that you built a fluid trap and sucked gasoline with your shop vac - please don't do that. Most shop vac motors aren't made for explosive environments and moving gasoline around is an easy way to create just such an environment.

I agree with RD in that a few seconds probably isn't long enough to prime the pump. Did you go ahead and change out the filter too?

I'm betting this part of the adventure is almost licked...

[xusarmy]

Well I disconnected the inline fuel filter and blew into both tubes and air passes through both lines but I just cranked it over with the inline fuel filter still removed and still no gas coming through I can here bubbles when I blow into the line leading to the tank.. so maybe the fuel pump took a dump? I've held the key turned for 10 seconds is that enough? And whoops on using the liquid trap to siphon the fuel I won't do that again. And yes I have a new inline fuel filter but I haven't. Installed it yet because I have not fuel coming.. was it bad to empty the line with the tank drained maybe I sucked some crap up from the bottom of the tank? But I can blow through the line.. sigh should I put the carb back on? Or wait until I know there's fuel coming to it?

[newargoowner]

When i had to replace my fuel pump(napa $70) in my M18. I cleaned the tank and replaced the inline filter and fuel line. I added a $5 shutoff valve down by the tank. I sucked(using mouth) the gas to the pump, then had someone shut the valve. then i attached the fuel hose to the pump. I turned over the starter while someone opened the shutoff valve. this helped to prime the pump. using the shutoff when the argo sits for a while keeps everything primed.

[xusarmy]

How hard is it to replace fuel pump?also Will napa know what fuel pump goes on the 1987 m18? This will be a learning process

[anotheramature]

have we/you determined that the pump is bad?

[brushcutter]

Before you spend any cash on a pump that may not be at fault, are you getting any fuel through your lines yet. Check by simply holding the loose end as far below the bottom of the tank level as possible, gas should flow out the end freely. Unless gravity works different since that meteor hit the other day... If not then it's dead certain, that meteor has done brung a bunch of ALIENS down to invade us and you're the first victim... Or you have some restriction that you have missed somewhere.

[JohnF]

I would make sure there is a pump issue before changing it out. I would put all of the lines back and then (since newargoowner said it first) suck fuel at least to the pump.

[newargoowner]

when i cleaned out my tank, i had to take it out of the machine(a big pain in the ass) and use alot of cleaners and scrub the junk off the bottom with a sock attached to a piece of coat hanger. there was a lot of junk in very bottom of the tank. then let it air dry for a day. so just because you blew air threw fuel line to the tank there still might be stuff in the very bottom of the tank. how clean (see threw) is the tank? can you take a flash light and look at the very bottom to look for junk? To take off the pump is of coarse a pain. you have to take the back facing sheetmetal off the motor and the little top cover. there is not much room. the new fuel pump number from napa is 7-08016. before you buy one. leave the pump on the motor. carefully unscrew the four screws on the top of pump and gently lift the top off. the diapham is rubber with a rubber seal around the edge. i believe you might have to give it a 90 degree twist to release the top from the bottom. once off gently clean and junk out of it with carb cleaner. if there is any cracks or tears in the rubber diapham then you need a new pump.

[xusarmy]

Well crap, would you say this is a reasonable task to complete for a non mechanic? And thanks for the part number and advice. Ill definitly try and exhaust all options before replacing pump... the first is sucking fuel to the pump. Ill try again tomorrow.. somethings got to work I should be closing in on a solution thanks to all the knowledge you guys have thanks everyone it is appreciated

[anotheramature]

if your not getting the fuel back to the pump than your pump cant pump anything theres got to be something your just over looking, where are you located? maybe a member could come by and help you out. sometimes we cant see the trees for the forest. another set of eyes may spot problem quickly, i dont feel like this should have turned into such a project. but then again mine usually do

[xusarmy]

I'm in northern michigan, I have been insulating my garage so making time to fix the argo is tough but tomorrow ill spend a few hours on it. Hmm I don't know what I could be overlooking another set of eyes would be helpful but I doubt anyone lives up here

[thebuggyman1]

Yooper or Troll?

[xusarmy]

I just moved up here but damn close to being a yooper