I am putting in a electric fuel pump, question

2542 Views 15 Replies 4 Participants Last post by baja-dean, Aug 22, 2011

baja-dean

Discussion Starter · Jul 30, 2011

I am putting in a electric fuel pump, question
I have read about people putting in an electric fuel pump and how it helps older diesels. IE hard start when sitting a long time, or priming when changing filter, or running out of fuel and switching the tank.

I see no good reason to have it on all the time. can someone comment on that.

So I was thinking of putting it in with a switch that I would push to activate it in instances where I have not driven it for a few weeks to get the fuel to the mechanical pump. But then it hit me, why not have it on a relay that activates when I put my foot on the brake. thus, when starting the truck I would hold down the brake while waiting for the glow plugs to warm up.

and if I change the fuel filter i just go step on the brake and prime it before starting it. or if driving and run a tank dry when I shift over to the other tanks lightly press the brake, you are coming to a stop anyway so nice to give brake lights to warn people behind you.

and comments pro or con about this?

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chuckster57

· #2 · Jul 30, 2011

Welcome to the Diesel Stop

If you choose to install an electric fuel pump then you have to take the mechanical pump out of the system. Having both will most likely cause the mechanical pump to fail. It doesn't have the power to pull fuel past the electric pump if it's turned off.

If you just fill the filter with fuel or an additive when you change it, you don't need to"prime" the system.

baja-dean

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 30, 2011

chuckster57 said:
If you choose to install an electric fuel pump then you have to take the mechanical pump out of the system. Having both will most likely cause the mechanical pump to fail. It doesn't have the power to pull fuel past the electric pump if it's turned off.

If you just fill the filter with fuel or an additive when you change it, you don't need to"prime" the system.

taking your point into consideration, I already have the fuel pump so I went and tested the resistance to flow, I will have you know I have a very bad taste from doing it. But there is no resistance to airflow as I blew through it.

I have always been concerned with filling a filter because of the potential for cross contamination. even with filtered fuel. mistakes can happen to easily. I am very careful. But would prefer this.

also does not solve the issue that my truck after sitting for a week or so is a bit tough to start, i have to hold the gas pedal down to the bottom and it will start after a bit. In general I use the truck every 2-3 weeks. I am a motorcyclist.

chuckster57

· #4 · Jul 30, 2011

My truck has been known to sit on the driveway for two or three weeks, and never fails to start right up.

Sounds like you have a leak in the return system and having "drain back" issues. Running an electric fuel pump is your choice, but you need to make sure that the pressure is regulated to 4-6 PSI and the mechanical pump is removed from the delivery system.

Do this as a test: put the electric pump in line before the mechanical pump, then start the truck and take it for a good drive. NOt just in the city at idle speeds but on the open road where fuel demand is greater. If it doesn't stutter and starve itself for fuel WITHOUT the electric pump turned on, then I stand corrected.

FWIW, when I change my fuel filter, I fill it with SeaFoam from a sealed container so cross contamination is not an issue.

moosiah

· #5 · Jul 30, 2011 (Edited)

After long long study and procrastination, I installed a facet duralift pump.. I tee'ed into the oil pressure sender line and put in a pressure switch to act as a safety; no oil pressure , no diesel to the IP. I also added a push button to 'prime ' the system.. works great, pump also has a built in stainless strainer..
I also should add that my stock lift pump crapped out a couple of times , spewing fuel down the side of the block..

baja-dean

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 4, 2011

well after running dry on one of the tanks (next task will be to remove tanks and put new tube in so I can use entire tank) as I got to the gas station and getting stuck there for about 30 minutes. well I was motivated to install the electric fuel pump. So did it today took me about 4 hours (two hours wiring behind the dash and 2 under the truck), I hooked it up to a switch that has three positions, off, take power from the brake, and one from accessories when key on. I also put a led light in when the pump is on. I am so glad I did this, after installing it I turned it on and it was a condition like running out of fuel because it was drained as I hooked it in. I stepped on the brake saw my LED turn on, and heard the pump kick on, (very loud) and could even hear a different tone (got quieter) when the fuel was at the pump, let it stay on for another 2 minutes and the truck turned over right away. Vs risking over use/heating of a starter and being stuck at the gas station or where ever. I am thrilled. next to deal with the fuel tank pick ups.

truck still runs fine without electric pump on driving down the road, but did not do the highway high speed test yet.

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baja-dean

Discussion Starter · #7 · Aug 16, 2011 (Edited)

just changed my fuel filter, did not put any fuel in the filter and closed it up, because I did not have any clean filtered fuel to replace it.

Then went and set my switch to brake pedal activate the electric fuel pump. so put my foot on the brake with truck off for 3 minutes, wanted the air pushed through. And sure enough, though it was still a bit to start, so I assume the mechanical pump does prevent/restrict the fuel flow when not on. I do not run the starter long so I do not overheat it. So I give it a loving timeout. It started right up after the second time out.

where before if I ran out of fuel on a tank it was a half hour or longer ordeal.

I pulled both gas tanks and replaced the broken fuel pick-ups with the in the tank gas filter socks.

now that the filter is changed will do the highway speeds test. Have to ask friends bring some things down here like this fuel filter, they do not keep this part in stock for some reason (the lowest population state in Mexico). The filter I replaced did have some of the parts from the fuel pick up in it at the bottom.

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chuckster57

· #8 · Aug 16, 2011

I have been sort of wondering..

baja-dean

Discussion Starter · #9 · Aug 16, 2011

oh to be clear...

so the electric one made a huge difference with an empty fuel filter even with the mechanical pump.

I doubt I could have started this truck by mechanical pump on a empty fuel filter before, In fact would not have even tried it.

chuckster57

· #10 · Aug 16, 2011

I'm wating for the results of the highway test.

baja-dean

Discussion Starter · #11 · Aug 21, 2011

thanks for the reminder...

truck runs just fine with electric pump off. My results are at level grade and doing 80 mph no fuel restriction. I have not done an uphill test with a loaded trailer, that will be in possibly 2-3 months.

Note I was able to blow air through this really low cost no-name electric fuel pump. so it had no significant restriction to airflow when turned off, and appears to have no significant restriction to fuel flow. I was at autozone and looked at one of the ones they had and could not blow through it. That was a Mr. Gasket, I ordered it as a back-up in case my cheapo was not good enough, it arrived last week and I just returned it to auto-zone because it was restricted to airflow.

If no-one can find one with no restriction, and wants a back up like this .... I can bring them to the USA and ship them. (I did not want to tell you guys how low cost these were, for fear of you thinking and possibly knowing how ? I am) these are about $20.00 down here and I will certainly have a second one for back-up. As I said I only turn it on when changing the fuel filter, or when a tank goes dry, it is also set when I put my foot on the brake pedal because when I do not use the truck for a few days it use to be difficult to start. so my use of this pump is very minimal.

my final test going up a mountain grade with a loaded trailer could be in about 2-3 months. I will do one with a unloaded big utility trailer sooner. My mountain grade starts about 5 miles from here. It is about the same grade as the grapvine in southern california.

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drinkypoo

· #12 · Aug 22, 2011

I'd like to have one of those pumps, how much do you want to charge for them? Maybe we should PM but I imagine others want to know. I don't want to use it where you used it but it might make a handy transfer pump.

chuckster57

· #13 · Aug 22, 2011

glad to hear your set-up is working :thumbsup: I hope it gives you years of trouble free operation.

baja-dean

Discussion Starter · #14 · Aug 22, 2011 (Edited)

drinkypoo said:
I'd like to have one of those pumps, how much do you want to charge for them? Maybe we should PM but I imagine others want to know. I don't want to use it where you used it but it might make a handy transfer pump.

What we can do is I will take a picture of it tomorrow. I am heading to the USA this weekend so I will be going to the town that has them this week (LaPaz). I will pick up as many as people want. I will do it at my cost, as long as the person has more than 50 posts.

You will paypal me the money and email me a US mail prepaid addressed mailing label before I leave so I can print the labels.

the label will be for the padded priority envelope. to keep the mailing cost about $5.00

drinkypoo

· #15 · Aug 22, 2011

Sounds great, put me down for one please! Perhaps you should start a new thread?

baja-dean

Discussion Starter · #16 · Aug 22, 2011

here is the part. excuse the bad flash. also note I put in two types of hose clamps in redundant, why... because I had them.... and that way I have spare parts if I ever need extra hose clamps while on the road. the baja road is 1000 miles of very little support and services. That is why I also had to do a fix on the fuel pick-ups there is one stretch that I would have had to intravenously feed the truck.

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