As a follow-up to my previous post regarding failure of the fuel pump, I am now more confused than ever. The diesel mechanic finally (after 2+ months) came and looked and said my problem was a cracked seal on my sea water pump. I haven't had the opportunity to ask him (he spoke with my wife), but I would like to know how this would affect the fuel pump, i.e. causing it to gum up and fail. Help!!!
Universal Diesel part 2
- Thread starter butchrobbins
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ThanksMore Information !
Butch, The more information you provide helps to insure better results. I was unable to determine what exact trouble you were having or what engine model you have. Your engine is most likely a Universal, but newer Catalina's are using Yanmar. On the newer Universals you may have a Orberdorfer raw water pump and an external electric fuel pump. There is no connection to each other. On a Yanmar the fuel pump is mechanical, on the side of the block and driven by the cam. Do you have your manual?? What model / year ??? What are your symptoms??
Butch, The more information you provide helps to insure better results. I was unable to determine what exact trouble you were having or what engine model you have. Your engine is most likely a Universal, but newer Catalina's are using Yanmar. On the newer Universals you may have a Orberdorfer raw water pump and an external electric fuel pump. There is no connection to each other. On a Yanmar the fuel pump is mechanical, on the side of the block and driven by the cam. Do you have your manual?? What model / year ??? What are your symptoms??
Better ask the mechanic
You better have a live conversation with the mechanic and have him explain his findings. Unless Universal has some sort of odd setup the water and fuel pumps are not related. Even if they're driven by the same shaft the water pump isn't going to impact the quality of the fuel. If your fuel pump is gummed up it's most likely due to contaminated fuel. Depending on how bad things are it could take a bit of work to clean up the tank.
You better have a live conversation with the mechanic and have him explain his findings. Unless Universal has some sort of odd setup the water and fuel pumps are not related. Even if they're driven by the same shaft the water pump isn't going to impact the quality of the fuel. If your fuel pump is gummed up it's most likely due to contaminated fuel. Depending on how bad things are it could take a bit of work to clean up the tank.
previous issue
I have a Universal 26hp on a 2001 Catalina 310. The previous owner had to have the fuel injectors cleaned (which he disclosed) and the fuel pump rebuilt (which he nor the mechanic disclosed prior to the sale). The survey found the fuel tank was fouled and this was taken care of (supposedly)prior to closing. On just my second time out-after about 6 or 7 hours of engine time-the fuel pump failed. I called the owner's mechanic and he came and had it rebuilt again (this is when I found out about the first time). He asked me to run the engine 8-12 hours and he would come out and look at it again. He did so and said that it appeared that water was getting in the fuel pump somehow and forming a paste with the fuel that was gumming up the fuel pump and causing it to fail. At that point he said he gave up and refered me to the second guy that says its the sea water pump causing the issue.
I have a Universal 26hp on a 2001 Catalina 310. The previous owner had to have the fuel injectors cleaned (which he disclosed) and the fuel pump rebuilt (which he nor the mechanic disclosed prior to the sale). The survey found the fuel tank was fouled and this was taken care of (supposedly)prior to closing. On just my second time out-after about 6 or 7 hours of engine time-the fuel pump failed. I called the owner's mechanic and he came and had it rebuilt again (this is when I found out about the first time). He asked me to run the engine 8-12 hours and he would come out and look at it again. He did so and said that it appeared that water was getting in the fuel pump somehow and forming a paste with the fuel that was gumming up the fuel pump and causing it to fail. At that point he said he gave up and refered me to the second guy that says its the sea water pump causing the issue.
Fuel pump or injector pump ?
Your mechanic should be able to tell you. The Fuel lift pump is electrical (12v) and is in no way connected to any water unless it is in the fuel tank. The injector pump is mechanical and has a camshaft that supplies the action to pump the fuel. It is internal to the engine. If you are getting water in the injector pump there is a seal that is leaking somewhere. Look at this link to Torreson marine to see what I am talking about. Go to the Universal section and then parts.
Your mechanic should be able to tell you. The Fuel lift pump is electrical (12v) and is in no way connected to any water unless it is in the fuel tank. The injector pump is mechanical and has a camshaft that supplies the action to pump the fuel. It is internal to the engine. If you are getting water in the injector pump there is a seal that is leaking somewhere. Look at this link to Torreson marine to see what I am talking about. Go to the Universal section and then parts.
Find another mechanic
Either have him show you exactly how it's happening or find another mechanic. The fuel system is closed loop and sealed. If you had any way for water to get into the fuel pump you would also see fuel leaking from that spot. The pressure from the fuel flowing would cause it to leak. Water and or gunk getting into the fuel pump is most likely coming from the fuel tank. You were told it was cleaned and it most likely was but depending on the degree of contamination it may not have been cleaned well enough. It's a pain but the best thing to do is to empty the fuel tank (disgard the fuel)and clean it like you were going to perform surgery in there. There should be an access port on top of the tank. Once the tank is spotless, then change out the primary and secondary filters, add fresh diesel fuel treated with a biocide and fire her up. You may have some residual gunk in the fuel lines but fresh filters should catch that. Worse case you may need to change filters a couple of more times. The fuel pump should be OK. If it appears like it's not pumping strongly enough (can't get full power) check the inlet side of the pump. Remove the fitting and there will likely be a small filter behind it. Most pump manufacturers install one on the intake side. The filter, if dirty, will either have to be cleaned or replaced. Sorry to say once diesel fuel systems are contaminated they are a royal pain to clean but that's about your only choice. Good luck.
Either have him show you exactly how it's happening or find another mechanic. The fuel system is closed loop and sealed. If you had any way for water to get into the fuel pump you would also see fuel leaking from that spot. The pressure from the fuel flowing would cause it to leak. Water and or gunk getting into the fuel pump is most likely coming from the fuel tank. You were told it was cleaned and it most likely was but depending on the degree of contamination it may not have been cleaned well enough. It's a pain but the best thing to do is to empty the fuel tank (disgard the fuel)and clean it like you were going to perform surgery in there. There should be an access port on top of the tank. Once the tank is spotless, then change out the primary and secondary filters, add fresh diesel fuel treated with a biocide and fire her up. You may have some residual gunk in the fuel lines but fresh filters should catch that. Worse case you may need to change filters a couple of more times. The fuel pump should be OK. If it appears like it's not pumping strongly enough (can't get full power) check the inlet side of the pump. Remove the fitting and there will likely be a small filter behind it. Most pump manufacturers install one on the intake side. The filter, if dirty, will either have to be cleaned or replaced. Sorry to say once diesel fuel systems are contaminated they are a royal pain to clean but that's about your only choice. Good luck.
Deck Fill
Don't forget to check / replace the O-ring on your deck fill. Rain and wash water get into the tank from there. When you re-fill the tank, use a water separator funnel. Get fresh fuel from busy truck stop. The notion of condensation is BS. There has been numerous posting on diesel. Keep checking.
Don't forget to check / replace the O-ring on your deck fill. Rain and wash water get into the tank from there. When you re-fill the tank, use a water separator funnel. Get fresh fuel from busy truck stop. The notion of condensation is BS. There has been numerous posting on diesel. Keep checking.
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