fuel pump replacement - electrical or mechanical?

[kdierks]

Need assistance in settling a disagreement among experts. Fuel pump on Yanmar 2GM20F in an 86 H31 went out on last race of year. Appears that diaphram may be shot. Dockmate suggests replacing with electrical pump. Other seasoned veterans say bad idea in case you lose electrical power and have to start manually (would think you can you can still do that with priming lever).

Anyway, looking for opinions. Should fuel pump on engine be repaired/replaced or bypassed and replaced with electrical pump.

Ken D.

 

[Steve Dion]

Repair or replace the mechanical pump first. Then if you think you want an electric one, go for it.

Simple is usually better, and especially when it comes to your boat.

 

[petersea]

Here is the problem with you theory about the priming lever if the diaphragm is bad the lever won't pump fuel so you need to replace the mechanical fuel pump for that reason. In a perfect world both would be nice. The electric pump makes bleeding the system a breeze. All that said redundancy of systems is a plus in an emergency. If at any time either one would go bad the other will work or at least in theory ! !

 

[kloudie1]

How often have you manually started the engine? Now that electric pumps don't have points in 'em like my olde MGB had, they are very reliable .. and would simplify priming and bleeding. Many of the Westerbeke engines use electric pumps successfully.. But the mech pump is a proven thing for that Yanmar engine.. The one on my 3GMF is the same one that your engine uses, and it is the original '85 pump. I am wrestling now with the same delimma .. and will probably go back with a Yanmar replacement instead of electric..

 

[kdierks]

Fuel pump - mechanical or electrical

Allright gentlemen, this is very helpful. Wasn't really comfortable with leaving the engine with a bad diaphram so we will fix that and probably install the electrical pump (which I already bought) as a back-up.

Apprecaite the advise.

 

[Don12364]

Presumably the old pump had served you well for 24 years and a new diaphragm should only cost pennies. Hardly an unreliable component!

 

[Nereussailor]

Diaphragm pump

I hate to tell you this, but You really should replace the mechanical pump. The diaphragm isn't replaceable. Ive tried for months to find parts for that pump. They don't sell them. A new pump is about $80 . just bite the bullet and replace it. Mine was original on my boat from 1983 I got my money's worth out of the first one.

Dave

 

[Paul F]

Last year I replaced the fuel pump on my 1980 Hunter 33 with a Yanmar engine. I went the electric pump route with a small fuel pump from Auto Zone. Couldn't be happier. Yes the mechanical pump lasted many years, but the electric pump makes bleeding the lines a breeze and has been very reliable. I believe this addition improves the engine starting system by providing a good flow of fuel to the injector pump. The pump was wired to the ignition key which turns the pump on before starting the engine.