Fuel issues???

Ed Shankle · June 28, 2017, 03:30:59 PM

Interestingly enough, I had a new recent experience with it. Loose wire from the pump. Engine stopped and I knew what it was due to, as I've had it happen before. Snugged up a screw and all was well. My fuel gauge showed over half, but not quite 3/4ths. My lift pump is high on the wall under the head sink. My Racor is below it.
Happy testing,
Ed

Noah · June 28, 2017, 04:28:39 PM

Was it that stupid ground wire that just gets "squished" under case/mounting bracket?

KWKloeber · June 28, 2017, 04:48:45 PM

Example of one way to solve poor ground problems such as on temp senders, hi temp switches, low oil pressure switches, oil pressure senders. My latest "kit" supplied with harness refurbs.

ken

Noah · June 28, 2017, 05:59:38 PM

"Grounds" for celebration, Ken!

Ed Shankle · June 29, 2017, 06:32:10 AM

Noah - yup, that's the one!

Stu Jackson · June 29, 2017, 08:34:31 PM

Quote from: Stu Jackson on June 27, 2017, 08:04:59 PM
I just filled up my fuel tank. I also installed a fuel pump shutoff switch in my engine compartment, although I could just as well shut off the main 1-2-B switch once the engine was running.

Give me a day or two and I'll do the test.

Then we just need someone who has less than a full tank to do the same.

TEST PERFORMED TODAY

Full tank

Shut off fuel pump

Ran at 2800 rpm for 22 minutes

No interruption in power

No hiccups

Re-engaged fuel pump

Shut engine down, sailed for an hour, started engine no problems, sailed some more, engine restarted.

Conclusion: with full tank engine runs without fuel pump.

KWKloeber · June 29, 2017, 08:36:45 PM

Did you START then shut off pump?
Or
Shut off pump, then start?

k

Stu Jackson · June 29, 2017, 08:44:19 PM

Quote from: KWKloeber on June 29, 2017, 08:36:45 PM
Did you START then shut off pump?
Or
Shut off pump, then start?

k

I shut pump off after the first start, was motoring out of the slip, engine was runnng when I shut the pump off.

Wanna "make me"

try something different tomorrow?

OK, OK, I know what you're gonna say.

I will go out tomorrow, motor out of the slip.

Shut the engine down, then shut off the fuel pump, then start the engine. Is that what you are hinting at?

KWKloeber · June 29, 2017, 08:53:18 PM

No need to motor at all. Just shut off pump and try to start it "cold".

I'm wondering if after sitting, it will start w/o the pump? dunno?

Alternately, with a new fresh tank, not started for a long time (while on the hard ) or say, after starting after a filter change, will the fuel flow w/o the lift pump?

Motoring first and then starting w/o pump or running after pump shut off, is kinda like motoring and then starting w/ no glow plug. Might not be a fair pump/no pump comparison --- Might be like concluding "I don't need glow plugs".

k

Stu Jackson · July 01, 2017, 06:33:13 PM

Ken MADE ME go sailing again. Darn that demanding task-master!!!

TEST #2 PERFORMED TODAY

Full tank

Shut off fuel pump BEFORE STARTING ENGINE which was COLD from sitting all night

Engaged glow plugs, fuel pump OFF, engine started.

Ran out of the slip and at from 2000 to 2800 rpm for about 20 minutes

Shut down engine, went sailing for two and a half hours - lovely 12-16 knots true, tacking upwind for that time, so to be sure that kk would be assured that the fuel sloshed around!!!

Started engine to come back into slip, pump still off

No hiccups

Which remind me that I have to re-engage the fuel pump before my tank gets half full

Conclusion #2: with full tank engine runs without fuel pump.

I'd be glad to run around with my engine at full throttle for another 20 hours to get the tank to about half full and do another test, but with the cost of fuel up here, unless Ken wants to pay for it ($!.23 CDN per LITRE!!!), ya'll will just have to wait.

KWKloeber · July 01, 2017, 07:01:15 PM

I'll go halfzies with someone

Great test Stu.

Have a great 4th.

Ron Hill · July 02, 2017, 04:05:39 PM

Guys and Ken : I wrote this up in the Mainsheet tech notes (15-20) years ago. Read what has already been written !!

On a C34 (because of where the HIGH fuel tank is located) you can run the engine without an electric (lift) pump as long as the tank is at least 1/2 full of fuel. If fact I ran the engine all the way down the ICW to Fl. and back (over 8 months) with the electric fuel pump knowingly wired into the blower switch.
Gravity feed -- Had NO problems

A thought

Noah · July 02, 2017, 04:24:54 PM

Thx Ron. Good to test old theories every 20 yrs or so

Sometmed those good old write-ups are hard to locate...

Ron Hill · July 02, 2017, 04:31:09 PM

Noah : NOT a theory, just look at where the fuel tank is located and then look at where the engine is located!!
Gravity works!!

A thought

Noah · July 02, 2017, 05:34:11 PM

Gee Ron. Not questioning gravity or you. I just threw out the comment a few days ago that "I heard it was possible to run on gravity feed but hadn't tried it". Some other folks said it didn't work for them. Then Stu tested. We're all just sharing here....
Also, perhaps some, of us who are mechanically challenged (includes me) wonder how the fuel passes through the Facet pump with it turned off, or not working?