Replacing a mechanical diesel lift pump with an electric pump.

[NealB]

I'm just thinking about ways round the possibility that the fuel lift pump for the BMC 2.2 engine is no longer available.

Is there any reason why I couldn't simply remove the old pump, make up a blanking plate to cover the hole in the block, and fit an electric fuel pump?

 

[geem]

I'm just thinking about ways round the possibility that the fuel lift pump for the BMC 2.2 engine is no longer available.

Is there any reason why I couldn't simply remove the old pump, make up a blanking plate to cover the hole in the block, and fit an electric fuel pump?

No reason at all. I converted my diesel generator to electric pump as the mechanical pump was useless. I simply installed the electric pump before the mechanical pump. Been working perfectly for about four years

 

[lynallbel]

I'm just thinking about ways round the possibility that the fuel lift pump for the BMC 2.2 engine is no longer available.

Is there any reason why I couldn't simply remove the old pump, make up a blanking plate to cover the hole in the block, and fit an electric fuel pump?

Did this on my land rover years ago been faultless, used one of the cheap copy facet pumps off of ebay.
If your injection pump does not have its own internal pump I would suggest you carry a spare elec pump.

12V ELECTRIC UNIVERSAL PETROL DIESEL FUEL FUMP FACET POSIFLOW STYLE TRACTOR BOAT | eBay

 

[Stemar]

Putting it before the filters would make bleeding them a lot easier for those whose fuel has to be sucked out of the tank.

I was thinking of fitting a squeezy bulb, but that pump sounds like a good idea. Any idea if the lift pump on my Beta 20HP would suck fuel through that pump when it's switched off?

 

[Leighb]

Putting it before the filters would make bleeding them a lot easier for those whose fuel has to be sucked out of the tank.

I was thinking of fitting a squeezy bulb, but that pump sounds like a good idea. Any idea if the lift pump on my Beta 20HP would suck fuel through that pump when it's switched off?

I had an electric pump fitted to my Beta 20 before the mechanical pump. It was wired to be on when the engine was on and worked perfectly. The reason for fitting was that the bottom of the fuel tank was well below the specified maximum lift height of the Beta pump.

 

[donm]

Putting it before the filters would make bleeding them a lot easier for those whose fuel has to be sucked out of the tank.

I was thinking of fitting a squeezy bulb, but that pump sounds like a good idea. Any idea if the lift pump on my Beta 20HP would suck fuel through that pump when it's switched off?

I fitted an electric pump on my Beta 20 and left the mechanical pump in line on Beta’s advice. That was 5 years ago and it all works fine.

 

[lynallbel]

Putting it before the filters would make bleeding them a lot easier for those whose fuel has to be sucked out of the tank.

I was thinking of fitting a squeezy bulb, but that pump sounds like a good idea. Any idea if the lift pump on my Beta 20HP would suck fuel through that pump when it's switched off?

Not 100 percent sure, can tell you that the pump I fitted is on a switch, and when I forget to switch it on it is down on power a kantts cock, but that means the inj pump internal vane pump is happily pulling the fuel throught the facet pump.

Yes it does make bleeding a simple affair, I ran out of fuel in the land rover the other day, experience has taught me to always carry a spare gallon, so in the tank it goes ign on and listen to elec pump chattering away to itself, once chattering has slowed down to a nice steady tick turn key and start engine.

 

[donm]

LeighB and I both have Halmatic 30s with fuel tanks deep in the bilges below the engine!!

 

[NealB]

Thanks folks.

I'm beginning to sense what today's main project might be (I've got several electric pumps in the garage).

In fact, does anyone have any views on whether it's even worth trying to source a replacement mechanical pump? That would be a slightly simpler swap, but it sounds like the electric alternative might have other advantages.

 

[Plum]

I'm just thinking about ways round the possibility that the fuel lift pump for the BMC 2.2 engine is no longer available.

Is there any reason why I couldn't simply remove the old pump, make up a blanking plate to cover the hole in the block, and fit an electric fuel pump?

One of these? Fuel Lift Pump and Gasket for BMC 2.2 and BMC 2.52

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[NealB]

One of these? Fuel Lift Pump and Gasket for BMC 2.2 and BMC 2.52

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

That's the very one!

I felt a surge of confidence, yesterday, as they seem to be easily available, but I haven't, yet, found anyone who's actually got any.

At least ASAP are up front about their zero stock.

 

[Graham376]

Our replacement engine came with electric pump and original mechanical pump location has blanking plate. Fit after primary filter as many facit pumps have a small filter in base which blocks easily.

 

[Plum]

That's the very one!

I felt a surge of confidence, yesterday, as they seem to be easily available, but I haven't, yet, found anyone who's actually got any.

At least ASAP are up front about their zero stock.

It's always worth a phone call to ASAP. Also, those pumps are pretty universal with only the activation arm being different. Maybe you can swap arms? If you do go electric you could just bypass but leave the old pump in place rather than fit a blanking cover.

 

[NealB]

It's always worth a phone call to ASAP. Also, those pumps are pretty universal with only the activation arm being different. Maybe you can swap arms? If you do go electric you could just bypass but leave the old pump in place rather than fit a blanking cover.

Thanks for your thoughts, Plum.

I've emailed ASAP, and will ring them on Tuesday, if I've not heard from them: but I've always found them very responsive.

I like your idea of swapping the actuating arm, and will have a closer look at the pump tomorrow.