Electic Fuel Pump Failure

[Gary Solari]

I am always fussing over what spare parts I need to keep on board just in case.  Question:  can you confirm (having been there done that) that the engine will run without the fuel pump and if so, under what conditions.  I have heard that the engine will run if the tank is 1/2 full or if the rpm's are low.  Appreciate your comments.  Thanks in advance.

Gary solari
Windsong
Hull #829
Sailing in beautiful Puget sound, Washington

[Ted Pounds]

Gary,

The engine will run fine without a fuel pump.  I'm not sure about the 1/2 full part.  I have a switch on my fuel pump and keep it off most of the time to save on wear and tear.   However bleeding the fuel system without a fuel pump would be very hard.

[Stu Jackson]

Gary

Ted's idea of a fuel pump shutoff has great merit.  If you do a search on +fuel+pump you find lots of threads, one of which is a long discussion by Ron Hill on fuel siphoning from a tank more than half full.  This is simply because the tank is higher than the engine.  Our fuel pump went south once, and the engine continued to run.  I replaced it with a spare fuel pump we had on board.  I intend to buy another replacement pump.  See:  http://www.c34.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1328&highlight=fuel+pump for the model #.  It's a good thing to have.  Doesn't take up much space, either.  I rarely let the tank get less than half full, not because of that, but because of condensation.  We have nights that are usually 20 to 30 degrees cooler than daytime temperatures.

[Ron Hill]

Gary :  The next time you're on your boat - here's what I want you to look at:

Take out the steps (both pieces) and the the horizontal insert.  Then open the door under the head sink and keep it open.  Stand back and look at the level of the engine and the height of the bottom of the fuel tank.  I think that will answer your question!!!!!!!
If you still have concerns start the engine and then, disconnect the (+) or the (-) wire from the electric fuel pump (disabling it).  See how long the engine runs, and runs and runs.  

You need to make these checks for yourself!!!  

[David Sanner]

Ted,

You keep your pump off most of the time?  Interesting.

Isn't one advantage for the fuel pump/circuit is that the fuel
is constantly being polished (at least filtered) while the fuel
pump is running (filtering the fuel, returning excess to the tank) ?

Or not?

-d

[Ron Hill]

Guys : I've posted this before, but it could stand repeating.
The only time that the fuel is circulating back into the tank is when you have the bleed valve open/part way open!!

In case you want to check - turn ON the key switch (activating the electric fuel pump) and with the bleed valve closed remove the the return line from the aft injector.  Then open the bleed valve (BTW have a BUNCH of paper towels handy when you open the bleed valve)!!

That's why I run the engine with the fuel pump engaged and the bleed valve open 1/2 turn - so the excess fuel is constantly recirculating and being filtered.