Fuel pump options

[Nereussailor]

I've got a Yanmar 2GM with a mechanical fuel lift pump. It is leaking at a rate of one drop per 2 seconds. It also seems like there is diesel fuel getting in the oil. From all of the research that I have found, the pump needs to be replaced or rebuilt. Is there a kit for rebuilding this pump? I found the whole pump, but no individual parts or a kit. anyone have a parts list for the 2GM?
or would I be better off replacing the mechanical pump with an electric pump?

Also, there is a lever that moves up and down on the side of the fuel pump, what is it for? the Yanmar shop manual doesn't say anything about it.

 

[Paul F]

Go with an electric fuel pump. It makes bleeding very easy. Many new engines have an electric pump installed. I retrofitted my much older 2QM with an electric pump from Auto Zone, a generic Airtex #E8012S, a year ago and wish it had been done sooner. Just by-pass the old mechanical pump and be on your way.

 

[sailaway78]

Total agreement

I am in total agreement with replacing the mechanical lift pump with an electric one. First off, is probably a bunch cheaper than the mechanical for the Yanmar. It also is a blessing if you ever need to bleed the fuel system. On most engine inatallations, the little lever to manually bleed the system, is nearly impossible to get to, and a real PITA should you ever have to pump it more than once or twice. Plus the added benefit of the ability to pump out the fuel tank should you ever need to do so. I have an electric pump on a Yanmar 3GM, previously had one on a 2QM, and will have one on anything in the future.

 

[Blitz]

Mechanical fuel pump beauty

The one thing that is nice though not mentioned; is that with the old Yanmar, a bone dead battery, and a mechanical full pump you could kick back the decompression levers and manually crank the engine by hand. Had to do this once over 20 years ago and it was a life saver. I guess your battery is never dead enough not to be able to run the pump but I guess if you have a short hand cranking would be your only option.

I think the mechanical fuel pump is still available through Yanmar, but $$$. I replaced mine only bout 5 years ago.

 

[Nereussailor]

pump

I found the Yanmar pump. It's about $82. I was hoping that there was a rebuild kit though. I looked at automotive fuel pumps, and they had a broad price range, from $45 to $667 most were over $140. What pump would you get if you bought an electric one, and what price are we looking at?
My pump looks like it's been on the boat for quite a while, it might even be original, why go electric if the pump has lasted this long? If I'm going to spend $140 or more for an electric one, why not just buy 2 mechanical ones and keep one as a spare, it would be a direct bolt up and no worries on the battery.


Dave

 

[Steve Dion]

Dave: I would agree with you. If someone wants an electric pump to augment the manual one that is fine. It is not a good idea to eliminate the manual pump. If you loose electrical power you are going to be dead in the water (no wind, no electricity).

 

[kloudie1]

low pressure and in-line is what you are looking for in an electric pump.. like this one..
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/low-...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

 

[Rick9671]

I prefer electric fuel pumps- most newer vehicles use them. Don'tt buy a cheap one. I went through 3 Autopulse brand before I bought a Bendix. It was no fun replacing a fuel pump alongside a deserted road at midnight in mid-winter.

The Bendix has an internal fuel filter which is easily accessible for removal and cleaning. (We got some dirty fuel once when we ran out on a trip) The Bendix was used on 3 vehicles sand is still functional.

 

[Sailorman ed]

Facet fule pumps

I purchased this one: http://www.yachtsupplydepot.com/mec...tate-electric-fuel-pump-40178/prod_23423.html

This is a good quality one, Facet has a good listing of all the different pumps they manufacture. You can find differnt pressure and lift in inches.

 

[Captstui]

Your Yamnar mechanical fuel pump leaks diesel into the engine when the diaphram fails. This isn't uincommon after 5 to 10 years. The part is available from Yanmar dealers and in a pinch, you can use a good condom to get you going. Not hard to replace.

The lever on the side of the pump is a priming lever and is used to pre-prime the pump or purge the air from the fuel system as needed. Not as convenient as electric, but works fine in most cases.

Westerbeke uses a mechanical fuel pump with good success. They are mechanically identical to the "universal" pumps available at most discount car places and cost under $40. There are, as the posts noted, advantages and disadvantages. The prime disadvantage of the electric pumps is they are electric. The Westerbeke has a push button on the start console to start the pump early and pre-pressureize the injection pump. Westerbekes also have an oil pressure sensor that shuts the pump off when the pressure is low or the engine is stopped.

Check the rules, you may have to have some automatic shut off for an electric pump so the engine isn't flooded with diesel fuel if it fails and catches fire? If you are required to do this and just put the pump on yor switch, you may place your insurance in doubt??? I'm not sure, but I'd check unless you self-insure or are otherwise immune to fire.

I can tell you from living with Westerbekes that the fuel pump is one of the most serious and frequent sources of breakdown. As another poser noted, the universal pumps aren't much good so if you use a high-end automotive pump, you might be better off.

/Stu