[C320-list] Westerbeke fuel pump

Tue May 26 12:29:57 PDT 2015

ahoy....and thanks.....been in touch w/ westerbeke....as you and they 
say...I probably have a bad wire at the oil sender.....the pump works 
when I have the key in the heat position, and not in the run 
position.....will troubleshoot tommorrow.....thanks again....Joe

On Tue, May 26, 2015 at 01:19 PM, Rick Sulewski wrote:

>
> Joe,
>  If the fuel pump was recently replaced and it is possible that the 
> power wire connection to the pump may not be properly secure or strong 
> enough to carry the current needed to run the pump.  You should hear 
> the fuel pump "clicking" when the engine is running as that would 
> signal that your pump is indeed cycling. Keep in mind that the fuel 
> pump (Westerbeke) will only run when the engine cranks enough oil 
> pressure and the oil pressure switch is then closed so as to allow the 
> fuel pump to only run when the engine is running. An alternative test 
> that may be more reliable then listening to hear the fuel pump 
> running/clicking, is to pull off the two oil pressure sending unit 
> wires (tabs) located on the oil pressure switch near the left side 
> front of the engine near the oil drain hose....temporarily connect 
> them together to hot wire the fuel pump circuit to close that circuit 
> so your fuel pump should be powered up whenever you turn the key to 
> the "on" position without having to start the engine; and then you 
> should hear the fuel pump "clicking" if your fuel pump is powered up & 
> running indicating that your fuel pump is correctly wired/grounded. It 
> is not recommended that you run the fuel pump for any length of time 
> in a "hot wired" condition for safety reasons because if your engine 
> stalls out and there is a fuel leak your fuel pump will continue to 
> run. BTW, if your engine stalls and will not restart, it is a good 
> idea to always check to be sure one of the oil sender wires is not 
> broken or disconnected from the oil sender switch because the fuel 
> pump is powered only when those wires are properly secured to the oil 
> sender switch... been there, done that.  If you are not hearing the 
> fuel pump run or click, you may have a broken or disconnected hot wire 
> to the fuel pump or it may be poorly grounded when it was replaced. It 
> is also possible that you may have a defective replacement fuel pump. 
> We learned we had a broken power lead to the fuel pump when our 
> Westerbeke motor could still fire up and run when the fuel pump was 
> not working, but there was enough fuel in the tank ( above 1/4 full in 
> flat seas) to gravity flow fuel to the engine for it to run, even at 
> higher RPMS, while not completely up to the power level as when the 
> fuel pump is working. When the fuel level fell below 1/4 the engine 
> stalled and would not restart until I added a gallon of fuel and then 
> later discovered I had a broker power wire connected to the 
> replacement fuel pump.  I also found that replacement fuel pumps are 
> available from NAPA  for around $30, so I now keep an extra pump 
> onboard along with extra wire connectors in our spare parts box.
> Rick My-Ria 95 320 hull #277
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On 
> Behalf Of Elizabeth Schwartz
> Sent: Tuesday, May 26, 2015 12:24 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Weterbeke fuel pump
>
> Ahoy all.....I've had occasional stall issue at various rpm. Recently 
> found out that primary fuel (lift) pump is only energized with key in 
> glow plug position. At first sign of rpm drop, I turn key to glow plug 
> position, then engine runs fine....fuel tank is full......anybody know 
> why it might be stalling? would quick fix of hot wiring fuel pump on 
> with engine on do any harm? My Catalina 30 w/ universal diesel had an 
> engine driven pump that was always  powered.......I have changed 
> primary and secnd filter, and have a new pump as of this 
> winter.....engine starts fine.....I've done the 60 sec prime before 
> start.....Thanks.....Joe
>
> On Tue, May 26, 2015 at 11:48 AM, danny jensen wrote:
>
>> Hello,
>>
>> I would only use the proper heater hose to do the bypass. See below 
>> for part numbers and article of my project. Do your heater hoses at 
>> the at the same time as the water heater if you can. The hoses are 
>> long lead time so you may want to jury rig something with hoses that 
>> can be found in an out parts store but get something sturdy and high 
>> temp (200-250F).
>>
>> Danny
>> #972
>>
>>
>> Check out this link to my project replacing the heater.
>>
>> 
>> http://www.catalina320.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=2014052
>> 8143123396
>>
>>
>> It will take some time to order the hoses. I read in an article that 
>> the hoses are 10 ft each x 5/8. They are on order. I am told that 
>> this part number is no longer available and that the new part number 
>> is 250-0580. See
>>
>> 
>> http://lists.catalina320.com/pipermail/c320-list-catalina320.com/2013-
>> July/041794.html
>> . I ordered 25 feet to be safe
>>
>>
>> On Tue, May 26, 2015 at 3:43 AM, Michael Kowitt wrote:
>>
>>> Hi all,
>>> This list has been so incredibly helpful.  I'm coming back to it 
>>> once again.
>>> Just discovered a pretty serious leak coming from the bottom of my 
>>> hot water heater (checked all of the usual other fittings for leaks, 
>>> and nothing).  For me, anyway, this will be a pretty big job to 
>>> replace the HWH.  I'd like to just bypass it for the moment and get 
>>> along with cold water only.  Right now, I can't use anything since 
>>> starting the water pressure fills the tank and then causes it to 
>>> leak right into bilge.
>>> Anyway, in the past, there was a long discussion of bypassing the 
>>> HWH for the purpose of winterization.  Bill Lowe offered some 
>>> pictures where he connected the cold water input to the hot water 
>>> output of the heater.
>>>
>>>   before the bypass:
>>>
>>>
>>> 
>>> http://www.catalina320.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=200910
>>> 18100451183
>>>
>>> After the bypass:
>>>
>>>
>>> 
>>> http://www.catalina320.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=200910
>>> 18100728844
>>>
>>>
>>> Here's my question:  Can this arrangement also be used, not just for 
>>> winterization, but in an ongoing way.  Is there any other risk to 
>>> the system, the heat exchanger, etc. by operating under this bypass?
>>>
>>> Many thanks to all,
>>> Mike Kowitt
>>> Elusive
>>> #903
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Danny
>> 310-489-3427
>>
>
>