Electric Fuel Pump addition for priming.....

NYSail

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Jan 6, 2006
3,136
Beneteau 423 Mt. Sinai, NY
Hello all,

New boat has a long run from tank to engine and was thinking about adding an electric fuel pump to assist priming system after filter changes. Engine is a Yanmar 4JH4E.

I am assuming the proper location for this would be between the fuel tank and primary filter with a switch to turn on and off. When off and engine is running using mechanical pump on engine, is fuel restricted going through electric pump? Also, any suggestions on specific pump to use?

Thanks!
 

Gunni

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Mar 16, 2010
5,937
Beneteau 411 Oceanis Annapolis
I have a very similar installation and the same engine. I think what you will find is that if you refill the filter canister after a filter change the engine will fire right up and run without the complication of a priming pump.
 

NYSail

.
Jan 6, 2006
3,136
Beneteau 423 Mt. Sinai, NY
I have a very similar installation and the same engine. I think what you will find is that if you refill the filter canister after a filter change the engine will fire right up and run without the complication of a priming pump.
Thanks great to know.... just making sure I understand all the techniques needed to prime and bleed a new engine. I am new to the Racor 110A which has a canister that screws up... verses the Racor 500 where you can top the canister off with new filter in place, priming the fuel lines then put the top on.....

Thanks as always for the input!!
 
Jan 11, 2014
12,712
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
Thanks great to know.... just making sure I understand all the techniques needed to prime and bleed a new engine. I am new to the Racor 110A which has a canister that screws up... verses the Racor 500 where you can top the canister off with new filter in place, priming the fuel lines then put the top on.....

Thanks as always for the input!!
Isn't there a little pump on the top of the Racor filter? Changing the filter on my Yanmar 3JH2E is on the list of spring chores, haven't tried it yet.
 

Gunni

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Mar 16, 2010
5,937
Beneteau 411 Oceanis Annapolis
There is not a pump on the Racor 110. But you don't need one for filter changes. There is plenty of fuel left in the fuel line to the engine allowing the Yanmar 4JH3E to start, pull fuel and purge itself.
 
Mar 11, 2015
357
Hunter 33.5 Tacoma, WA
I am assuming the proper location for this would be between the fuel tank and primary filter with a switch to turn on and off. When off and engine is running using mechanical pump on engine, is fuel restricted going through electric pump? Also, any suggestions on specific pump to use?
I did the exact same thing, and I used THIS pump:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JZKDGGG
It currently says unavailable but other similar units would work fine. It is inline, does not restrict flow, and is quite helpful during filter changes and engine priming. It also acts as a backup fuel pump.
 
Feb 26, 2004
22,985
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
I am assuming the proper location for this would be between the fuel tank and primary filter
Place it AFTER the primary. That way the primary filters the fuel before it reaches the pump, which has a tiny filter in the bottom of it.
what you will find is that if you refill the filter canister after a filter change the engine will fire right up
I use a small jar of injector cleaner. Less messy than diesel fuel.
 
Jan 25, 2011
2,435
S2 11.0A Anacortes, WA
Do you really want all the unfiltered tank junk to try and pass through a fuel pump that has a small tiny tiny filter that might be hard to access etc??
 
Mar 11, 2015
357
Hunter 33.5 Tacoma, WA
Do you really want all the unfiltered tank junk to try and pass through a fuel pump that has a small tiny tiny filter that might be hard to access etc??
Hmmm... I thought it was clear that I installed the primer pump between the tank and the primary filter. Since it is closest to the tank, it has a shorter distance to pick up the fuel, and once it does quickly pressurizes the entire system, including the primary filter. If you place the pump after the primary, it may have to suck a lot of air until it grabs the fuel.
 
May 20, 2016
3,015
Catalina 36 MK1 94 Everett, WA
Yes I believe your layout was clear. What is being explained is that racor recommends putting the pump AFTER the primary filter. This is done to make sure the filter internal to the pump doesn't get clogged with big chunks of goo if you get diesel bugs/alge. Or just plain dirt. The logic of using a very big filter before a tiny one makes sense. Also if you use a vacuum gauge to tell when your filter is dirty it won't work on your layout
 

NYSail

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Jan 6, 2006
3,136
Beneteau 423 Mt. Sinai, NY
What if you you just remove the screen from the pump? It is a little used pump in the first place and it's so inexpensive
 
May 20, 2016
3,015
Catalina 36 MK1 94 Everett, WA
Then you risk the crap getting in the check valves of the pump causing it to not pump
 

NYSail

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Jan 6, 2006
3,136
Beneteau 423 Mt. Sinai, NY
I would rather not have one if I can avoid as Gunni said. Less is more
 
Jan 27, 2008
3,086
ODay 35 Beaufort, NC
Racor filters clearly say they are to be installed on the "suction" side of the pump. The filters are designed to have the fuel sucked through them. If you choose to ignore the manufacturers' installation instructions you likely void any possible warranty claims and the filters may be designed with filter media support structures to resist forces in one direction. My OEM installation had the pump first in the series after the tank and I rerouted it when I installed a new Racor filter, so even the boat manufacturers ignore installation instructions. If you're in there messing around with it you might as well do it right the first time.
 

NYSail

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Jan 6, 2006
3,136
Beneteau 423 Mt. Sinai, NY
Well the racor 500 series gives you the ability to prime the fuel hoses. The 110 series has an upwards screwing canister with the fuel filter in/out lines above the canister. With the pump installed before this filter you can fill the filter and bleed the air. With the pump after, you suck air....as there is at least 1" height difference.
 
May 20, 2016
3,015
Catalina 36 MK1 94 Everett, WA
The pump should pull a vacuum - which will draw the fuel into the filter. You would only suck air if there is a leak in the system. mine can do >18"