lift pump

[Don Crowther]

Good Day

Here's the problem while out this past weekend my mech. lift pump suffered a diapham failure. Not good as we were in the marina area adrift.
We were able to get the anchor out before we rammed into anyone. Since the docks were full of other boats we were able to get pulled into our slip.

So now I'm think that maybe I should put an electric pump in place of the mech. one that failed. And just bypass the old one. Maybe go so far as removing it and putting a blanking plate on the block. Could I plumb the pump straight into the engine fuel filter casing? Instead of cutting the fuel line after the mech. pump and splicing into it?

Or should I repair/replace the old pump ond forget the whole idea?

If I go ahead with the electric pump how do I wire it into the ignition switch?
Where exactly do I wire it?

I should mention that the engine is a Yanmar 2 gmf.


Maybe I should do both and have the electric pump on toggle switch for backup for the mech. one.

Thanks
Don

 

[tommays]

Thye seem to hold up well i cant see NOT just replacing it

 

[Steve Dion]

Don: I would not do that. If you loose electric power you will not be able to start your engine or even run it. Rebuild what you have or replace it.

If you want an electric pump in the system, just add it. You can tie it into your ignition switch line.

 

[RichH]

Best is to replace the lift pump AND put a 12vdc pump between the tank and your filter set, the 12vdc having its own switch. The 12vdc pump sitting there doing nothing until needed, in 'reserve' can be for emergencies (the 12vdc pump valves will allow fow to the lift pump when the 12vdc pump is off) AND will vastly make filer changeout and system bleeding sooooooooooo much easier - just energize the 12vdc to pressurize the system and then sequentially bleed the line, filters, all the way to the injection pump - quickly and WITH EASE. Then if the lift pump ever destroys a valve, etc., simply turn on the 12vdc .... and sort out the problem 'later'.

Make sure the 12vdc is compatible with the 'new' diesel fuels include 'bio-fuel' and fuel make from 'reclaim' (cooking oils) - get a written guarantee.

 

[zeehag]

i was told to replace mine-is leaky --with an electric pump...goood luck....

 

[larryw]

Many opinions here- mechanics like to replace OEM pumps with electric because it's quicker and easier for them, but may not be so great for you. As mentioned, electric pumps requires electricity to run. Liftpump diaphrams are comsumable maintenence items, keep one or two in your spare parts kit to replace as necessary.

 

[sailaway78]

Rich hit the nail on the head

Rich is right on the money. Install an electric pump, and replace/repair the mechanical pump. I can assure you it will be worth the money just to bleed the system after you replace the mechanical. If your boat is like most with the Yanmars in them, getting to the mechanical pump is a bitch at best, and a nightmare on the rest of them. Then trying to work that little lever to bleed the system, well try it one time and you will understand the value of an electric pump. One of the beauties of a diesel is the ability for it to run perfectly without any electrical power of any kind. If you do away with the mechanical lift pump, you have lost this advantage.

 

[Don Crowther]

Sounds like replacing the pump is the way to go And I'll put in an electric as well. Lets not forget thought we need electricty to start the yanmar as well !!
The dealer in Ont. does have and can't find a rebuild kit. Just a new pump.
So It will be here in 2 weeks
thanks
Don

 

[sailaway78]

In Theory

At least in theory, you can hand crank the Yanmar to get it running, if all power fails. Personally, I do not know of anyone who has succesfully accomplished this task. I have been tempted to give it a try sometime, just to see, but so far haven't gotten up that much energy.

 

[Steve Dion]

Don't think that the GM engine can be started by hand!

 

[Ol Dave]

Yes you can !

The "trick" to starting the Yanmars by hand is to shift to neutral, open all of the decompression levers and start cranking ... and cranking ... and cranking until you have some momentum on the flywheel ... then drop a lever. One cylinder should fire, then drop the next one.

 

[Steve Dion]

Do you know anyone that has done this on a 2/3gm engine? I have been on this site since the beginning and there has been a lot of discussion, but I do not remember anyone having success.

 

[Don Crowther]

I don't even have a handle to try. I did ask this very question on this site a couple of months ago and it seems that nobody knew of anyone who had tried it on a 2gm. Can't be any harder that trying to handbomb a c185 on floats in the middle of a river!!

 

[Steve Dion]

Don: I believe that the consensus was that the engine was not provided with the parts to do it and that there would be more broken body parts than engines that ever started.

 

[Don Crowther]

Thanks Steve

That what I thought but I was willing to give it a try. It would be just for emergencies. Could you still sail with a broken wrist?
So no sailing until the pump is changed.
It's such a short season anyway.
Thanks again everyone
Don

 

[Steve Dion]

Don: If you look on the Yanmar site, you should be able to find the distributor in your area. Many of the parts are interchangeable between models, so they should have what you need. The dealers probably do not carry anything that they don't sell several times a month.

Contact these guys and see if they service your area! If they don't they can point you to the distributor for your area. Typically you can only purchase parts within your own geographical area.


Distributor

Delta Land Sea Power Ltd. 7400 Wilson Ave.
V4G 1E5 Delta
British Columbia, Canada 604.946.5996
(604) 946-1538
info@landseapower.com
www.landseapower.com



http://www.yanmarmarine.com/

 

[Don Crowther]

Thanks Steve

I've got a pump coming from Land Sea Power I've used them before and they are great!! It's only 800 miles from here so hopfully it will be on the overnight courier. The web site needs to be up data for their address but the phone # is the same.
The dealer in Ont. didn't have any in stock and it would be 2 weeks before I would get one from them.

Thanks again I still think i will install an electric pump for priming.
Don

 

[Steve Dion]

PS: for those who think they can start their Yannie by hand, read this!

http://yanmarhelp.com/o_hndcrnk.htm

 

[Steve Dion]

Don: Just remember that if you add the electric pump in the line, their is just another point to get an air leak. I am NOT trying to change your opinion, because it makes priming the engine much easier but it becomes another place for a problem.

 

[Roger Long]

PS: for those who think they can start their Yannie by hand, read this!

That's why I just removed the hand crank gear from my 2QM20. I don't want to be tempted to get distracted and hurt trying to get it going. Much better access to the filter and other stuff with all those sprockets and chains home in the basement.

The drill for a dead battery is to sail (people have gone around the world without engines) to a harbor, anchor, go ashore in the dinghy, and hitch a ride to an auto store for a $40 battery. I also carry a portable emergency battery which will start the engine if the only problem is low main batteries. If there is some other starting issue, hand cranking is never going to get it going anyway.