Installed new fuel filter; now it won't start

4089 Views 10 Replies 5 Participants Last post by rickbarclay, Apr 12, 2018

rickbarclay

Discussion Starter · Apr 11, 2018

Hi all. Was having starting problems after a winter storm. Engine turned over, made like it wanted to start, then died. So my first (only, probably) option was
to replace the fuel filter.

I went up on YouTube and found a guy who was installing a vertical aligned filter instead of the stock one the lies on the bottom of the housing. So I bought
the vertical one, took out the old filter and put in the new one. Everything is back together. The engine turns over fine but refuses to start. I called Honda and they said, "Yeah, it's gonna be tough to start. Don't prime it. Just give it a chance to build pressure and let the vapors reach the injectors." Ok, so that's what
I've been doing for a couple of hours now--charging and recharging the battery. Not a cough out of it.

Before I take it into the shop (Monday), can anyone here offer some advice or a tip or two as to how to get the fuel through the filter and into the injectors?
The plugs are good, I'm sure. I just need a way to get it to fire. Then I think it will start.

Thanks a bunch for any help.

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rickbarclay

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 12, 2018

There's only one port to the filter, which connects to the fuel inlet to the pump. So, correct me if I'm wrong to say there is no way to install it other than the way it was intended.
This filter is different from the stock Honda filter in that it orients itself vertically up the side of the pump and not flat on the bottom. The flow path is different, too, which worries me, but it worked in the YouTube video, and so I'm goin' with it. Worse comes to worse I'll take it to Honda, which will really suck, but what's an old man to do?

I'm going to check the plugs today. What about this: is possible to take some form of eye dropper and force fuel thru one of the pump housing inlets so it fills with gas and might possibly start? I'm reaching the desperation point. Thanks for the helps, folks. Appreciate it.

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rickbarclay

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 12, 2018

Halleluyah! It runs! Twas the spark plug in my 2010 Rancher. Took the old plug out. Looked at it. The electrode was wet and dirty. Put a new one in: Voilaaa! Rrrrrrr.
So I bought this ignition tester in addition to the new plug. When I got home I tested the old one first. The tester said there was a spark. But it didn't even come close to starting.
I put the new plug in on the tester, and it showed the same orange pulse as the bad plug, with one exception--it started. I reinstalled the new plug without the tester and (knock
on wood) everything looks fine and dandy with no apparent leaks. So I hope that's that, and thanks to all for your inputs.

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rickbarclay

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 12, 2018

Thanks, JohnnySolo. I was really sweating bullets thinking about how much the Honda place was going to charge me for not fixing the problem. Didn't have much confidence until
I saw that wet electrode. Hmmm. If gas is getting to the cylinder then the pump must be working and de gas must be flowing. I'm much relieved. Much thanks to you, alloutdoors,
and all others who made suggestions. Have a great weekend!

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