[C320-list] Mechanical vs. Electric Fuel Pumps - Inquire if the level of the fuel may gravity feed the engine

[Rick Sulewski]

 David,

 

I lost the fuel pump twice. The first time the pump failed was when the boat
was 5 years old. Lesson learned: keep a replacement pump on board - $25
dollar replacement from NAPA. 

 

The second time the fuel pump failed was a couple of years ago when that
inexpensive replacement pump lost current due the electrical splice
connection separating as a result of fatigue from the engine vibration. 

 

I have a Westerbeke engine and in both instances the engine continued to run
as a result of the fuel level in the tank being high enough to gravity feed
the engine. While the engine was slower to rev up (not as responsive) and
the level of power available was as not as strong as when the electrical
pump was running, there was ample power. 

 

What was aggravating about the second fuel pump episode was not losing the
fuel pump, but realizing that the fuel level in the tank had run down too
low to continue to run the engine. The fuel pump  had stopped working for
some time before I was aware of the problem until the engine died while we
were motoring into a head wind on that day. I thought that the pump had
failed again because the engine fired up right after I added a gallon of
fuel after I docked to replace the pump. I later learned about the failed
electrical splice when I was checking out the size of the socket set needed
to replace the fuel pump. Lesson learned: keep the fuel tank above half
full!

 

The only satisfaction I had with the second fuel pump episode was the
opportunity to dock the boat while under sail, testing my skills that
brought me back to the approach I learned from the early days on a Sunfish.
I had to release the head sail with a sense of timing for the need maintain
a drift into the 10 knot wind and then turn along side the dock just in time
to toss the lines to secure the boat before it was blown off the dock.

 

You may want to inquire if your particular engine and fuel pump location
will allow the fuel to continue to feed your engine when the pump fails. I
am not certain that a Yanmar has  a pump location high enough to continue to
allow the fuel to pass thru the pump and then onto the fuel rails.

 

Rick

My-Ria #277

 

 

 

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Date: Sat, 18 Dec 2010 13:06:02 +0000

From: "Jeff Hare" <catalina at thehares.com>

To: C320-List at Catalina320.com

Subject: Re: [C320-list] Mechanical vs. Electric Fuel Pumps

Message-ID:

 
<814224814-1292677547-cardhu_decombobulator_blackberry.rim.net-385134884- at bd
a755.bisx.prod.on.blackberry>

      

Content-Type: text/plain

 

Mechanical fuel pump on a diesel for sure. 

 

Since diesels don't need electricity once running, an electrical pump would
be a liability.  Also mechanical pumps are frequently gear driven not belt
driven. 

 

The yanmar 3gm has a gear pump I believe. 

 

-Jeff

------Original Message------

From: David Detrick

Sender: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com

To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com

ReplyTo: C320-List at Catalina320.com

Subject: [C320-list] Mechanical vs. Electric Fuel Pumps

Sent: Dec 17, 2010 11:16 PM

 

Mechanical  vs. Electrical Fuel Pumps-- what are the pros and cons of each. 

 

 

 

I have an electrical and am concerned that if I lose power due to an
emergency situation, my engine will not run. Mechanicals have belts that
might go out, but not necessarily in an emergency situations.

 

 

 

Would appreciate folks weighing in on this one.

 

 

 

Thanks.