Any thoughts/ advice on a small electric diesel pump?

PaulRainbow said:
Those two statements don't exactly go hand in hand Neil. I'd be curious to know what could have got through the CAV filter that would block the pump.

I wonder if it's somehow failed internally, giving the appearance of being blocked.

But if it is genuinely blocked, take it apart carefully and you may be able to clean and salvage it.

I await your update :)
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When I say 'blocked', I mean it is not possible to pump oil from one side to the other, or to blow air through (and, as a pretty serious distance runner, I've got a fairly decent set of lungs!).

Whether it's a 'gunge' type blockage, or a mechanical failure, it's a 'blockage' in my eyes!
 
NealB said:
When I say 'blocked', I mean it is not possible to pump oil from one side to the other, or to blow air through (and, as a pretty serious distance runner, I've got a fairly decent set of lungs!).

Whether it's a 'gunge' type blockage, or a mechanical failure, it's a 'blockage' in my eyes!
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This is a typical mechanical lift pump

BLEED_YOUR_DIESEL_ENGINE_042910_PE-P3.jpg


It could be possible that one or both of the NRV are jammed closed thus blocking the flow.

Lots of pics of lift pumps so you may be able to identify yours.

https://www.google.co.za/search?q=m...XnIMAKHfamDbgQsAQIJQ&biw=1920&bih=900#imgrc=_

The lift pump on my engine needed servicing and I found a supplier of a new pump cheaper than the service kit.

Not the same engine as yours BTW
 
Parts4engines.com sell the mechanical unit for £26 plus delivery a real bargain. If your pump is blocked maybe your filters need attention also are you perhaps using the pump hand lever with the cam shaft engaged and preventing the full pump stroke this is not obvious and a needs say a quarter turn of the crankshaft to resolve.
 
Thanks for your thoughts, parbuckle.

I had a look at the parts4engines website. I can see mechanical lift pumps for other engines for around £26, but not one to fit my engine. In fact, their search tool doesn't find any reference to 'Beta' at all.

I'll give them a ring to check .... would be great if you're right.

I tried turning the engine many times.

I'm not at work tomorrow, so will pull the pump apart to see if the problem can be easily fixed.

Thanks again.
 
After a lot of dark mutterings, I've managed to get the lid off the offending mechanical pump.

It was absolutely clean and dry inside: no gungely nasty stuff.

The problem was that both valves (yes, both) had stuck closed.

They freed easily with a gentle prod from a small screwdriver, and now work perfectly on the bench, and the manual lever works effectively, giving an impressive squirt.

I'll try refitting it later today, or tomorrow morning.

I'm confident it'll start up and run fine.

If only there were a repairs kit with new valves: new pump £100.
 
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On my Beta 20 I had the mechanical fuel pump fail about 2 hours into the engines life. Just finished engine trials and setting off on engines maiden voyage. Engine just stopped, no fuel to engine filter bleed screw. Pump off, a valve (cannot remember which one) was stuck shut. Eased valve out, gently unstuck and refitted. That was 1600 hours and 16 years ago and has run perfectly every since. I fitted an electric pump as a back up a couple of years ago. I have never had to use it in anger but it makes bleeding after a filter change quick and easy. Price was under £40 including a bit of plumbing and a couple of ball valves. Mechanical pumps are indeed normally very reliable, but one of the things we take for granted that can, if they fail, incapacitate a diesel.
 
DickieT said:
On my Beta 20 I had the mechanical fuel pump fail about 2 hours into the engines life. Just finished engine trials and setting off on engines maiden voyage. Engine just stopped, no fuel to engine filter bleed screw. Pump off, a valve (cannot remember which one) was stuck shut. Eased valve out, gently unstuck and refitted. That was 1600 hours and 16 years ago and has run perfectly every since. I fitted an electric pump as a back up a couple of years ago. I have never had to use it in anger but it makes bleeding after a filter change quick and easy. Price was under £40 including a bit of plumbing and a couple of ball valves. Mechanical pumps are indeed normally very reliable, but one of the things we take for granted that can, if they fail, incapacitate a diesel.
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Thanks for that!
 
I've just spent a couple of hours refitting the pump, bleeding through, and then, joy of joys, the engine ran faultlessly for over half an hour.

Food for thought, if I were to install an electric pump as a back up, I would fit it in parallel to the mechanical one (in case the mechanical one became blocked or stuck closed.

Anyway, thanks to everyone for your thoughts .
 
NealB said:
I've just spent a couple of hours refitting the pump, bleeding through, and then, joy of joys, the engine ran faultlessly for over half an hour.

Food for thought, if I were to install an electric pump as a back up, I would fit it in parallel to the mechanical one (in case the mechanical one became blocked or stuck closed.

Anyway, thanks to everyone for your thoughts .
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Glad you got it fixed Neal. It would make sense to connect a backup in parallel, rater than series.
 
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