To recap last year's post: The fuel pump on my 2001 Universal M26 had to be rebuilt last August and after running the engine for about 12 hrs, the mechanic rechecked it and said it was still getting "gummed-up" and that he didn't have a clue and referred me to mechanic #2. #2 said it was a raw water pump leak and replaced the pump. I asked him to recheck the fuel pump, but he was too busy to do so. Since then I have replaced both fuel filters and am monitoring for contaminants in the fuel. There has been NO WATER in the fuel. After running the engine at the dock a few times, we decided to go out. We started the engine and it was in runaway mode. We got it shut down and called Mechanic #3 (#2 is just in too high demand and takes far too long to get to us). He "fixed" the problem by taking off the plate and manually working the levers until he felt confident it would work. He cranked it several times with no problem. He recommended replacing the breather, so I agreed and asked him to pull the fuel pump and see how it looks when he replaced the breather. He was nice, but really didn't want to do it for some reason-he felt all was right with the engine. When he replaced the breather, he cranked the engine and guess what--runaway mode again. So, he goes through the same routine as the first time, figures its ok and attempts to crank it again, but this time no fuel is getting to the injectors--the pump has failed again. So, here we are, in the same exact spot as last August...a fuel pump that will be rebuilt, but no one can say why. Can anyone shed any light on this. Do you know someone versed enough with Universal Engines to determine the problem? Please, HELP!
Back to square one with Universal M26
- Thread starter butchrobbins
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In my experience
It has been my experience over the years that when something like this is going on, the cure is usually something very simple, and right in front of you eyes. You didn't state whether your having a problem with the lift pump or the injector pump, although I think you are talking injector pump. There should be no way a fuel pump would fail that quickly. And I don't see any way the raw water pump could have anything to do with it. Sorry I can't be of more help, but I would do my research and find someone who knows what their doing. Not a lot of them around who are able to do the fuel pumps.
It has been my experience over the years that when something like this is going on, the cure is usually something very simple, and right in front of you eyes. You didn't state whether your having a problem with the lift pump or the injector pump, although I think you are talking injector pump. There should be no way a fuel pump would fail that quickly. And I don't see any way the raw water pump could have anything to do with it. Sorry I can't be of more help, but I would do my research and find someone who knows what their doing. Not a lot of them around who are able to do the fuel pumps.
I'm not familiar with that particular engine but a plugged fuel line or
blocked filter sometimes acts that way. I'm not talking about water in the filter. You may have two filters for the engine. One after-market in line filter, and one that is part of, and is on the engine just forward of the fuel (lift) pump. If either filter is plugged the pump pulls a vacuum on the fuel line which overworks the fuel pump, then if the blockage releases fuel, the engine can overspeed. I have known people to add an electric fuel pump between the tank and the first filter (which is not recommended by the engine manufacturers), just so they can force fuel through a plugged filter in an emergency. Anyway check both filters again. First drain your filter bowl and check the consistency of the fuel. Hope its not like jelly. Next try to bypass your fuel line with some clean fresh fuel from a day tank. It can gravity feed to the engine OK without the pump working. Also take your fuel return line and let that return to a bucket or fuel can, so you can see the condition of the fuel being returned to the tank. If your existing fuel is gummy you will have to have it polished. If you are lucky that will be the problem. If not lucky you will not have spent much because this is all something you can do yourself. That is the only thing I can think of off the top of my head that could cause the three conditions you described, the burned out pump, the lack of furl, and the overspeed startup. It's my shot in the dark. Good Luck Joe S
blocked filter sometimes acts that way. I'm not talking about water in the filter. You may have two filters for the engine. One after-market in line filter, and one that is part of, and is on the engine just forward of the fuel (lift) pump. If either filter is plugged the pump pulls a vacuum on the fuel line which overworks the fuel pump, then if the blockage releases fuel, the engine can overspeed. I have known people to add an electric fuel pump between the tank and the first filter (which is not recommended by the engine manufacturers), just so they can force fuel through a plugged filter in an emergency. Anyway check both filters again. First drain your filter bowl and check the consistency of the fuel. Hope its not like jelly. Next try to bypass your fuel line with some clean fresh fuel from a day tank. It can gravity feed to the engine OK without the pump working. Also take your fuel return line and let that return to a bucket or fuel can, so you can see the condition of the fuel being returned to the tank. If your existing fuel is gummy you will have to have it polished. If you are lucky that will be the problem. If not lucky you will not have spent much because this is all something you can do yourself. That is the only thing I can think of off the top of my head that could cause the three conditions you described, the burned out pump, the lack of furl, and the overspeed startup. It's my shot in the dark. Good Luck Joe S
Well something is doing the gumming up right
The problem is not the pump. The pump is the symptom. Either your fuel filter is not working/installed correctly or you have really dirty fuel. There is not much in a rubber hose and metal fuel system that can cause "gumming up" so it pretty much has to be something added to the fuel or the fuel itself. Take a sample of fuel in a mason jar and visually inspect it against known good fuel, also smell and feel it. Also check the secondary filter after the lift pump. My bet is the fuel is bad and the filter element is missing a gasket or washer or is torn and the fuel is not getting filtered. How long has the fuel been in the tank and when was the last time you changed the filter element?
The problem is not the pump. The pump is the symptom. Either your fuel filter is not working/installed correctly or you have really dirty fuel. There is not much in a rubber hose and metal fuel system that can cause "gumming up" so it pretty much has to be something added to the fuel or the fuel itself. Take a sample of fuel in a mason jar and visually inspect it against known good fuel, also smell and feel it. Also check the secondary filter after the lift pump. My bet is the fuel is bad and the filter element is missing a gasket or washer or is torn and the fuel is not getting filtered. How long has the fuel been in the tank and when was the last time you changed the filter element?
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