Stus-List Re: Fuel pump problem?

[Bill Coleman via CnC-List]

There is an amazing hose that I came across at one of my favorite
industrial surplus places many years ago. It was made by Parker , it said
Coast Guard approved on the outside of it, molded into it. It was blue, and
the toughest stuff I have ever come across. I could not cut it even with
the biggest rod cutters that I have!   I thought it was going to destroy my
bandsaw blade! I think it had some type of spring tempered stainless braid
in it.



Bill Coleman

On Tue, Sep 21, 2021, 8:07 AM Dave S via CnC-List 
wrote:

> Good idea on the gauge - I had a project car that required one.
>
> This is a good reminder to replace the rubber fuel lines with good quality
> diesel rated hose and also to verify the hose clamps.  Very easy and cheap
> preventative maintenance.
>
> Dave
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Sep 21, 2021, at 7:28 AM, Della Barba, Joe via CnC-List <
> cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote:
>
> 
>
> I had to track down a fuel problem that was driving me nuts. I had random
> shutdowns that would randomly fix themselves. I ended up with a fuel
> pressure gauge and 2 vacuum gauges, one on each side of the filter. I
> noticed the vacuum would increase on BOTH gauges when there was a shutdown,
> indicating that the restriction was prior to the filter.
>
> What it turned out to be was the fuel fill line was coming apart
> internally and dropping a lot of rubber bits into the tank. They would get
> sucked onto the fuel pickup tube and then fall off later.
>
> Ever since I have had a fuel pressure gauge visible from the helm. I got
> one off FleaBay that has a red warning light in it that comes on below 1
> PSI. Note that a vacuum gauge only tells you if there is a clog, low fuel
> pressure for other reasons lie air in the system or a failed pump leave it
> sit on 0.
>
> If memory serves I sent one of my extra vacuum gauges to a member on the
> list. I still have one permanently installed.
>
>
>
> Joe
>
> Coquina
>
>
>
> *From:* Korbey Hunt via CnC-List 
> *Sent:* Monday, September 20, 2021 5:17 PM
> *To:* Stus-List 
> *Cc:* Korbey Hunt 
> *Subject:* [EXTERNAL] Stus-List Re: Fuel pump problem?
>
>
>
> A crew member advised he had an intermitent mystery fuel problem that
> turned out to be a blockage in the fuel supply line at the tank.
>
>
> Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with
> the costs involved.  If you want to show your support to the list - use
> PayPal to send contribution --   https://www.paypal.me/stumurray  Thanks
> - Stu
>
> Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with
> the costs involved.  If you want to show your support to the list - use
> PayPal to send contribution --   https://www.paypal.me/stumurray  Thanks
> - Stu
Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with the 
costs involved.  If you want to show your support to the list - use PayPal to 
send contribution --   https://www.paypal.me/stumurray  Thanks - Stu

Stus-List Re: Fuel pump problem?

[David Knecht via CnC-List]

I have a vacuum gauge on the line between the fuel tank and the Racor with a 
drag pointer to mark the max vacuum and that has not shown any increase when 
this happens, so I am presuming the line is not plugged.  A pressure gauge on 
the other side of the pump makes sense and I might add that when this is 
sorted.  Dave

S/V Aries
1990 C&C 34+
New London, CT



> On Sep 21, 2021, at 10:07 AM, Dave S via CnC-List  
> wrote:
> 
> Good idea on the gauge - I had a project car that required one.  
> 
> This is a good reminder to replace the rubber fuel lines with good quality 
> diesel rated hose and also to verify the hose clamps.  Very easy and cheap 
> preventative maintenance.
> 
> Dave 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Sep 21, 2021, at 7:28 AM, Della Barba, Joe via CnC-List 
>> mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> I had to track down a fuel problem that was driving me nuts. I had random 
>> shutdowns that would randomly fix themselves. I ended up with a fuel 
>> pressure gauge and 2 vacuum gauges, one on each side of the filter. I 
>> noticed the vacuum would increase on BOTH gauges when there was a shutdown, 
>> indicating that the restriction was prior to the filter.
>> What it turned out to be was the fuel fill line was coming apart internally 
>> and dropping a lot of rubber bits into the tank. They would get sucked onto 
>> the fuel pickup tube and then fall off later.
>> Ever since I have had a fuel pressure gauge visible from the helm. I got one 
>> off FleaBay that has a red warning light in it that comes on below 1 PSI. 
>> Note that a vacuum gauge only tells you if there is a clog, low fuel 
>> pressure for other reasons lie air in the system or a failed pump leave it 
>> sit on 0.
>> If memory serves I sent one of my extra vacuum gauges to a member on the 
>> list. I still have one permanently installed.
>>  
>> Joe
>> Coquina
>>  
>> From: Korbey Hunt via CnC-List > <mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>> 
>> Sent: Monday, September 20, 2021 5:17 PM
>> To: Stus-List mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>>
>> Cc: Korbey Hunt mailto:kampf2...@hotmail.com>>
>> Subject: [EXTERNAL] Stus-List Re: Fuel pump problem?
>>  
>> A crew member advised he had an intermitent mystery fuel problem that turned 
>> out to be a blockage in the fuel supply line at the tank.
>>  
>> Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with 
>> the costs involved.  If you want to show your support to the list - use 
>> PayPal to send contribution --   https://www.paypal.me/stumurray 
>> <https://www.paypal.me/stumurray>  Thanks - Stu
> Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with 
> the costs involved.  If you want to show your support to the list - use 
> PayPal to send contribution --   https://www.paypal.me/stumurray 
> <https://www.paypal.me/stumurray>  Thanks - Stu

Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with the 
costs involved.  If you want to show your support to the list - use PayPal to 
send contribution --   https://www.paypal.me/stumurray  Thanks - Stu

Stus-List Re: Fuel pump problem?

[Dave S via CnC-List]

Good idea on the gauge - I had a project car that required one.  

This is a good reminder to replace the rubber fuel lines with good quality 
diesel rated hose and also to verify the hose clamps.  Very easy and cheap 
preventative maintenance.

Dave 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 21, 2021, at 7:28 AM, Della Barba, Joe via CnC-List 
>  wrote:
> 
> 
> I had to track down a fuel problem that was driving me nuts. I had random 
> shutdowns that would randomly fix themselves. I ended up with a fuel pressure 
> gauge and 2 vacuum gauges, one on each side of the filter. I noticed the 
> vacuum would increase on BOTH gauges when there was a shutdown, indicating 
> that the restriction was prior to the filter.
> What it turned out to be was the fuel fill line was coming apart internally 
> and dropping a lot of rubber bits into the tank. They would get sucked onto 
> the fuel pickup tube and then fall off later.
> Ever since I have had a fuel pressure gauge visible from the helm. I got one 
> off FleaBay that has a red warning light in it that comes on below 1 PSI. 
> Note that a vacuum gauge only tells you if there is a clog, low fuel pressure 
> for other reasons lie air in the system or a failed pump leave it sit on 0.
> If memory serves I sent one of my extra vacuum gauges to a member on the 
> list. I still have one permanently installed.
>  
> Joe
> Coquina
>  
> From: Korbey Hunt via CnC-List  
> Sent: Monday, September 20, 2021 5:17 PM
> To: Stus-List 
> Cc: Korbey Hunt 
> Subject: [EXTERNAL] Stus-List Re: Fuel pump problem?
>  
> A crew member advised he had an intermitent mystery fuel problem that turned 
> out to be a blockage in the fuel supply line at the tank.
>  
> Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with 
> the costs involved.  If you want to show your support to the list - use 
> PayPal to send contribution --   https://www.paypal.me/stumurray  Thanks - Stu
Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with the 
costs involved.  If you want to show your support to the list - use PayPal to 
send contribution --   https://www.paypal.me/stumurray  Thanks - Stu

Stus-List Re: Fuel pump problem?

[Della Barba, Joe via CnC-List]

I had to track down a fuel problem that was driving me nuts. I had random 
shutdowns that would randomly fix themselves. I ended up with a fuel pressure 
gauge and 2 vacuum gauges, one on each side of the filter. I noticed the vacuum 
would increase on BOTH gauges when there was a shutdown, indicating that the 
restriction was prior to the filter.
What it turned out to be was the fuel fill line was coming apart internally and 
dropping a lot of rubber bits into the tank. They would get sucked onto the 
fuel pickup tube and then fall off later.
Ever since I have had a fuel pressure gauge visible from the helm. I got one 
off FleaBay that has a red warning light in it that comes on below 1 PSI. Note 
that a vacuum gauge only tells you if there is a clog, low fuel pressure for 
other reasons lie air in the system or a failed pump leave it sit on 0.
If memory serves I sent one of my extra vacuum gauges to a member on the list. 
I still have one permanently installed.

Joe
Coquina

From: Korbey Hunt via CnC-List 
Sent: Monday, September 20, 2021 5:17 PM
To: Stus-List 
Cc: Korbey Hunt 
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Stus-List Re: Fuel pump problem?

A crew member advised he had an intermitent mystery fuel problem that turned 
out to be a blockage in the fuel supply line at the tank.

Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with the 
costs involved.  If you want to show your support to the list - use PayPal to 
send contribution --   https://www.paypal.me/stumurray  Thanks - Stu

Stus-List Re: Fuel pump problem?

[Dave S via CnC-List]

I think I’m the other Dave…..  lol.  Having just done this I suggest you simply disconnect the fuel line at the low pressure pump input side.  Blow into the hose.  This will clear the screen if any for now, in any case it’s not likely the problem.Reconnect that, then disconnect the fuel line at the high pressure pump.  Run the fuel using the electric fuel pump, collect it into a bottle.  Chances are it’ll flow just fine, and keep flowing.  This takes you up to the engine.I am assuming this works the same as the m20.Open the speed control cover and check that both springs visible there are present and attached and that the governor spring pulls its lever back fully against its stop.    Check that both levers travel freely. (This connects to the fuel pump which is what actually meters the fuel.)That’s the easy stuff.  After that, its high pressure pump, injectors etc.Dave Sent from my iPhoneOn Sep 20, 2021, at 5:17 PM, Korbey Hunt via CnC-List  wrote:




A crew member advised he had an intermitent mystery fuel problem that turned out to be a blockage in the fuel supply line at the tank.


Get Outlook for Android

From: dwight veinot via CnC-List 
Sent: Monday, September 20, 2021 12:56:10 PM
To: Stus-List 
Cc: dwight veinot 
Subject: Stus-List Re: Fuel pump problem?
 


I have the same engine with a 12v Facet electric fuel pump. Check the 12v supply to the pump first. When I turn the ignition key on if the fuel pump is working there is a very obvious clicking sound. Open the bleed screw and you should see a
 good flow of fuel. I purchased a solid state Facet 12v fuel pump from Aircraft Spruce as some good person here recommended. Facet model 40106 plus the inline filter for about $75 Cdn. Turned out my old pump was fine but the 12v supply was gone. Fixed that,
 changed the 2,filters, bled the system and she started right up but almost immediately the wet exhaust blew apart spewing salt water everywhere. It’s been a month since and I am still trying to source parts to build a new wet exhaust elbow. In the mean time
 got a tow to the marina and hauled the boat. Season ended mid August just when the best sailing weather arrived here. Hope to get it fixed soon so I can winterize. 


On Mon, Sep 20, 2021 at 5:33 PM David Knecht via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote:


Seems to be the week for Dave’s and diesel fuel problems.  Here is my story to hopefully get the wisdom of the group.  


Last Wednesday I was out for a lovely sail (7.5-8 knot reach across Fisher’s Island sound for lunch and back).  I had motored into the harbor on the other side of the sound for about 15 minutes and then back out again and no problems.  I got back to the
 mooring area and the engine started and then quit.  Tried a few times and it would only come close to starting if I gave it lots of throttle, but would still quit.  Sailed to the mooring (which I hit on the first try under sail single handed in 15+ knots of
 wind- I impressed myself) put away sails etc. and then tried the engine again and it started and ran fine.  I chalked it up to bad karma and went home.  Saturday, we sailed to Mystic and motored for an hour into the harbor to the Seaport with no problems. 
 Today we motored back out and after a long wait for the bridge to open (so about 30 min total motoring) the engine quit again and would not start.  A few times before it quit for good, it would suddenly decrease revs for a second and then back up.  Fortunately,
 the wind direction allowed us to sail out of the harbor and back to the mooring where it would not start.  


Then I started taking things apart to diagnose. (Universal M4-30, electric fuel pump)
1.  Thought first my fuel gauge (reading half full tank) was mistaken or I had bad fuel.  Pulled the probe into the fuel tank and with a flashlight was able to see that the tank was half full and the fuel looked perfectly clean.
2.  Took the Racor lid off and found that the bowl was not full.  It was about 1-2” down so at about the level of the top of the primary filter.  Obviously not good.  This triggered the thought that the sound the electric fuel pump had been making was
 not what I remembered.  Instead of a rapid continuous clicking, it was more irregular and perhaps not as loud.  
So I am thinking either bad fuel pump or bad power connection from the key switch to the fuel pump.  Does a dying fuel pump work one day and not the next?  The other possibility seems to be a small hole/crack in the fuel line so the pump can’t draw enough
 vacuum to pull fuel from the tank.  Not sure how to diagnose that and seems even less likely to allow the engine to work intermittently.  


Solutions/more diagnosis
1.  Should I just buy a replacement fuel pump and see if it solves the problem?  This is not inexpensive, but not a huge amount of money and a fairly easy test.  Universal pump was about $230 from Toad’s Marine, but I seem to remember people on the list
 talking about automotive sources that might be cheaper?
2.

Stus-List Re: Fuel pump problem?

[Korbey Hunt via CnC-List]

A crew member advised he had an intermitent mystery fuel problem that turned 
out to be a blockage in the fuel supply line at the tank.

Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>

From: dwight veinot via CnC-List 
Sent: Monday, September 20, 2021 12:56:10 PM
To: Stus-List 
Cc: dwight veinot 
Subject: Stus-List Re: Fuel pump problem?

I have the same engine with a 12v Facet electric fuel pump. Check the 12v 
supply to the pump first. When I turn the ignition key on if the fuel pump is 
working there is a very obvious clicking sound. Open the bleed screw and you 
should see a good flow of fuel. I purchased a solid state Facet 12v fuel pump 
from Aircraft Spruce as some good person here recommended. Facet model 40106 
plus the inline filter for about $75 Cdn. Turned out my old pump was fine but 
the 12v supply was gone. Fixed that, changed the 2,filters, bled the system and 
she started right up but almost immediately the wet exhaust blew apart spewing 
salt water everywhere. It’s been a month since and I am still trying to source 
parts to build a new wet exhaust elbow. In the mean time got a tow to the 
marina and hauled the boat. Season ended mid August just when the best sailing 
weather arrived here. Hope to get it fixed soon so I can winterize.

On Mon, Sep 20, 2021 at 5:33 PM David Knecht via CnC-List 
mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>> wrote:
Seems to be the week for Dave’s and diesel fuel problems.  Here is my story to 
hopefully get the wisdom of the group.

Last Wednesday I was out for a lovely sail (7.5-8 knot reach across Fisher’s 
Island sound for lunch and back).  I had motored into the harbor on the other 
side of the sound for about 15 minutes and then back out again and no problems. 
 I got back to the mooring area and the engine started and then quit.  Tried a 
few times and it would only come close to starting if I gave it lots of 
throttle, but would still quit.  Sailed to the mooring (which I hit on the 
first try under sail single handed in 15+ knots of wind- I impressed myself) 
put away sails etc. and then tried the engine again and it started and ran 
fine.  I chalked it up to bad karma and went home.  Saturday, we sailed to 
Mystic and motored for an hour into the harbor to the Seaport with no problems. 
 Today we motored back out and after a long wait for the bridge to open (so 
about 30 min total motoring) the engine quit again and would not start.  A few 
times before it quit for good, it would suddenly decrease revs for a second and 
then back up.  Fortunately, the wind direction allowed us to sail out of the 
harbor and back to the mooring where it would not start.

Then I started taking things apart to diagnose. (Universal M4-30, electric fuel 
pump)
1.  Thought first my fuel gauge (reading half full tank) was mistaken or I had 
bad fuel.  Pulled the probe into the fuel tank and with a flashlight was able 
to see that the tank was half full and the fuel looked perfectly clean.
2.  Took the Racor lid off and found that the bowl was not full.  It was about 
1-2” down so at about the level of the top of the primary filter.  Obviously 
not good.  This triggered the thought that the sound the electric fuel pump had 
been making was not what I remembered.  Instead of a rapid continuous clicking, 
it was more irregular and perhaps not as loud.
So I am thinking either bad fuel pump or bad power connection from the key 
switch to the fuel pump.  Does a dying fuel pump work one day and not the next? 
 The other possibility seems to be a small hole/crack in the fuel line so the 
pump can’t draw enough vacuum to pull fuel from the tank.  Not sure how to 
diagnose that and seems even less likely to allow the engine to work 
intermittently.

Solutions/more diagnosis
1.  Should I just buy a replacement fuel pump and see if it solves the problem? 
 This is not inexpensive, but not a huge amount of money and a fairly easy 
test.  Universal pump was about $230 from Toad’s Marine, but I seem to remember 
people on the list talking about automotive sources that might be cheaper?
2.  Does one rebuild a fuel pump or buy a new one?
3.  Is there a good way to distinguish power issues from mechanical issues 
other than a new pump? A friend suggested filling the Racor bowl with fuel, 
then turning on the pump and see if it draws the level down.  The only problem 
with this is I don’t know how fast it normally pulls fuel so not sure how to 
tell if it was pumping, but not fast enough.

Any thoughts welcome.  Home now, but plan to go down on Wednesday and work on 
fixing the problem.
Thanks- Dave

S/V Aries
1990 C&C 34+
New London, CT

[cid:17c04f2be391022a4281]

Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with the 
costs involved.  If you want to show your support to the list - use PayPal to 
send contribution --   
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.

Stus-List Re: Fuel pump problem?

[Korbey Hunt via CnC-List]

I had a similar strange problem. Running almost new (200 hrs) 30 hp Yanmar 
diesel engine for a number of hours at 80% rpm with no problem when engine 
quit.  Slowed revs and then stop.  Drifted for a few minutes.  Restarted engine 
and no trouble after.  Returned to dock at lower RPM.  Replaced primary and 
secondary fuel filters.  No obvious blockage.  No water.  Filled fuel bowls 
with new fuel.  Engine started without needing to reprime.  Ran at idle for 30 
min.  All good.

I doubt the filters had been replaced since new engine was installed.

Get Outlook for Android

From: David Knecht via CnC-List 
Sent: Monday, September 20, 2021 12:33:33 PM
To: CnC CnC discussion list 
Cc: David Knecht 
Subject: Stus-List Fuel pump problem?

Seems to be the week for Dave’s and diesel fuel problems.  Here is my story to 
hopefully get the wisdom of the group.

Last Wednesday I was out for a lovely sail (7.5-8 knot reach across Fisher’s 
Island sound for lunch and back).  I had motored into the harbor on the other 
side of the sound for about 15 minutes and then back out again and no problems. 
 I got back to the mooring area and the engine started and then quit.  Tried a 
few times and it would only come close to starting if I gave it lots of 
throttle, but would still quit.  Sailed to the mooring (which I hit on the 
first try under sail single handed in 15+ knots of wind- I impressed myself) 
put away sails etc. and then tried the engine again and it started and ran 
fine.  I chalked it up to bad karma and went home.  Saturday, we sailed to 
Mystic and motored for an hour into the harbor to the Seaport with no problems. 
 Today we motored back out and after a long wait for the bridge to open (so 
about 30 min total motoring) the engine quit again and would not start.  A few 
times before it quit for good, it would suddenly decrease revs for a second and 
then back up.  Fortunately, the wind direction allowed us to sail out of the 
harbor and back to the mooring where it would not start.

Then I started taking things apart to diagnose. (Universal M4-30, electric fuel 
pump)
1.  Thought first my fuel gauge (reading half full tank) was mistaken or I had 
bad fuel.  Pulled the probe into the fuel tank and with a flashlight was able 
to see that the tank was half full and the fuel looked perfectly clean.
2.  Took the Racor lid off and found that the bowl was not full.  It was about 
1-2” down so at about the level of the top of the primary filter.  Obviously 
not good.  This triggered the thought that the sound the electric fuel pump had 
been making was not what I remembered.  Instead of a rapid continuous clicking, 
it was more irregular and perhaps not as loud.
So I am thinking either bad fuel pump or bad power connection from the key 
switch to the fuel pump.  Does a dying fuel pump work one day and not the next? 
 The other possibility seems to be a small hole/crack in the fuel line so the 
pump can’t draw enough vacuum to pull fuel from the tank.  Not sure how to 
diagnose that and seems even less likely to allow the engine to work 
intermittently.

Solutions/more diagnosis
1.  Should I just buy a replacement fuel pump and see if it solves the problem? 
 This is not inexpensive, but not a huge amount of money and a fairly easy 
test.  Universal pump was about $230 from Toad’s Marine, but I seem to remember 
people on the list talking about automotive sources that might be cheaper?
2.  Does one rebuild a fuel pump or buy a new one?
3.  Is there a good way to distinguish power issues from mechanical issues 
other than a new pump? A friend suggested filling the Racor bowl with fuel, 
then turning on the pump and see if it draws the level down.  The only problem 
with this is I don’t know how fast it normally pulls fuel so not sure how to 
tell if it was pumping, but not fast enough.

Any thoughts welcome.  Home now, but plan to go down on Wednesday and work on 
fixing the problem.
Thanks- Dave

S/V Aries
1990 C&C 34+
New London, CT

[cid:4073BE72-4704-4EA7-8EBA-B73B833F502B]

Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with the 
costs involved.  If you want to show your support to the list - use PayPal to 
send contribution --   https://www.paypal.me/stumurray  Thanks - Stu

Stus-List Re: Fuel pump problem?

[dwight veinot via CnC-List]

I have the same engine with a 12v Facet electric fuel pump. Check the 12v
supply to the pump first. When I turn the ignition key on if the fuel pump
is working there is a very obvious clicking sound. Open the bleed screw and
you should see a good flow of fuel. I purchased a solid state Facet 12v
fuel pump from Aircraft Spruce as some good person here recommended. Facet
model 40106 plus the inline filter for about $75 Cdn. Turned out my old
pump was fine but the 12v supply was gone. Fixed that, changed the
2,filters, bled the system and she started right up but almost immediately
the wet exhaust blew apart spewing salt water everywhere. It’s been a month
since and I am still trying to source parts to build a new wet exhaust
elbow. In the mean time got a tow to the marina and hauled the boat. Season
ended mid August just when the best sailing weather arrived here. Hope to
get it fixed soon so I can winterize.

On Mon, Sep 20, 2021 at 5:33 PM David Knecht via CnC-List <
cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote:

> Seems to be the week for Dave’s and diesel fuel problems.  Here is my
> story to hopefully get the wisdom of the group.
>
> Last Wednesday I was out for a lovely sail (7.5-8 knot reach across
> Fisher’s Island sound for lunch and back).  I had motored into the harbor
> on the other side of the sound for about 15 minutes and then back out again
> and no problems.  I got back to the mooring area and the engine started and
> then quit.  Tried a few times and it would only come close to starting if I
> gave it lots of throttle, but would still quit.  Sailed to the mooring
> (which I hit on the first try under sail single handed in 15+ knots of
> wind- I impressed myself) put away sails etc. and then tried the engine
> again and it started and ran fine.  I chalked it up to bad karma and went
> home.  Saturday, we sailed to Mystic and motored for an hour into the
> harbor to the Seaport with no problems.  Today we motored back out and
> after a long wait for the bridge to open (so about 30 min total motoring)
> the engine quit again and would not start.  A few times before it quit for
> good, it would suddenly decrease revs for a second and then back up.
> Fortunately, the wind direction allowed us to sail out of the harbor and
> back to the mooring where it would not start.
>
> Then I started taking things apart to diagnose. (Universal M4-30, electric
> fuel pump)
> 1.  Thought first my fuel gauge (reading half full tank) was mistaken or I
> had bad fuel.  Pulled the probe into the fuel tank and with a flashlight
> was able to see that the tank was half full and the fuel looked perfectly
> clean.
> 2.  Took the Racor lid off and found that the bowl was not full.  It was
> about 1-2” down so at about the level of the top of the primary filter.
> Obviously not good.  This triggered the thought that the sound the electric
> fuel pump had been making was not what I remembered.  Instead of a rapid
> continuous clicking, it was more irregular and perhaps not as loud.
> So I am thinking either bad fuel pump or bad power connection from the key
> switch to the fuel pump.  Does a dying fuel pump work one day and not the
> next?  The other possibility seems to be a small hole/crack in the fuel
> line so the pump can’t draw enough vacuum to pull fuel from the tank.  Not
> sure how to diagnose that and seems even less likely to allow the engine to
> work intermittently.
>
> Solutions/more diagnosis
> 1.  Should I just buy a replacement fuel pump and see if it solves the
> problem?  This is not inexpensive, but not a huge amount of money and a
> fairly easy test.  Universal pump was about $230 from Toad’s Marine, but I
> seem to remember people on the list talking about automotive sources that
> might be cheaper?
> 2.  Does one rebuild a fuel pump or buy a new one?
> 3.  Is there a good way to distinguish power issues from mechanical issues
> other than a new pump? A friend suggested filling the Racor bowl with fuel,
> then turning on the pump and see if it draws the level down.  The only
> problem with this is I don’t know how fast it normally pulls fuel so not
> sure how to tell if it was pumping, but not fast enough.
>
> Any thoughts welcome.  Home now, but plan to go down on Wednesday and work
> on fixing the problem.
> Thanks- Dave
>
> S/V Aries
> 1990 C&C 34+
> New London, CT
>
>
> Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with
> the costs involved.  If you want to show your support to the list - use
> PayPal to send contribution --   https://www.paypal.me/stumurray  Thanks
> - Stu

-- 
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Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with the 
costs involved.  If you want to show your support to the list - use PayPal to 
send contribution --   https://www.paypal.me/stumurray  Thanks - Stu