Not bike related, diesel question

[Polarbear]

My 1500 BMC diesel engine on my boat has a mechanical lift pump that sucks the diesel from the tank, through the first fuel filter, then the lift pump, up to the 2nd fuel filter and then to the CAV injector pump.

It is a right bitch to prime if I lose suction and I suspect the lift pump is faulty so peopose to buy a new one to replace the old.
https://www.asap-supplies.com/marine/fuel-lift-pumps/fuel-lift-pump-bmc-1500-and-bmc-1800-131040

However I was thinking about fitting one of these electric pumps as I'm a lazy cunt and it would make priming so much easier.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12v-Universal-Electric-Fuel-Pump-Suitable-for-Diesel-Petrol-Engines-12-Volt-/221746787792?hash=item33a12375d0:g:iyEAAOSwrklVMKJh

If I just disconnect the fuel lines from the mechanical lift pump and connect in the electric pump, can anyone see a reason it would not perform perfectly adequately. I can't see any reason why not, and they are a damn sight cheaper than the lift pump.

The old fuel pump I would just leave in place so no worries about blanking the crank case.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[uberkron]

No problem doing what you have suggested, but remove the drive of that fuel pump and refit it to block the hole and no worry of it disintegrating and the pieces ruining your motor.
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i ride a zip 50 2smoke. It overtakes a hundred times a day.

[jimspeed]

I would fit the electric one and maybe just pipe the old one in a loop from out to in with a little bit of fuel in the pipe to keep the diagram from drying out and breaking up into the crankcase.
It will make filter changes and bleeding so much easier abd faster to to too.
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Hyosung cruise 125(passed test on, sold) Kawasaki el 252 (better than expected but sold on) Kawasaki GPZ500S first "big"bike.(sold) ZZR600 E5..Z750 2007,ER5, currently on a 2008 Enfield bullet electra x and loving it..
,"Alpha-9: Is there any correlation between dyno rod and dyno kits?"

[stinkwheel]

I think I'd trust a manual one more. Especially in a boat.

https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31pQrZb44xL._SY300_.jpg
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Polarbear]

[stinkwheel]

[Polarbear]

It is a mechanical one operating off the engine with a mechanical lever. I need to have gorilla arms to operate it hence wanting an electric pump.

Any particular reason why should that electric pump be unreliable in a narrow boat?
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[jimspeed]

I've always used "facet" made pumps on rally cars and find them well built and give no problems if fitted correctly. I would prob spend a bit more and know it will last. They usually have a decent filter in the base of them too.
edit.. I can't access ebay via the hospital wifi so try searching for facet pump. They do a solid state one which is square and and a contactor type which is round. either is good but the roubd one has a large pre filter built in.
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Hyosung cruise 125(passed test on, sold) Kawasaki el 252 (better than expected but sold on) Kawasaki GPZ500S first "big"bike.(sold) ZZR600 E5..Z750 2007,ER5, currently on a 2008 Enfield bullet electra x and loving it..
,"Alpha-9: Is there any correlation between dyno rod and dyno kits?"

[Stalk]

Iveco daily vans use an electric fuel pump, scrapyard? Some a series engined cars (Austin 1100 ect ) used an electric fuel pump and the mechanical pump hole had a blank plate, perhaps the same size as your pump mount, as the blocks are all vaguely the same

[WD Forte]

An electric pump would be more convenient
but
Those old lift pumps lasted for years until the diaphragm or non return valves wore out which sounds like what happened on yours, pity you can't get a rebuild kit.
I do wonder on the function and how long an £8.99 pump will last though.
it looks like 'a no serviceable parts inside' type to me.
You gets what you pays for and all that

Are you prepared to risk finding yourself adrift in the South China sea with no drinking water and nothing but pirates and sharks for company?
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bikers smell of wee

[Polarbear]

[MCN]

I've seen those electric pumps doodahs on remote engines for tower-lights and bore-hole, air compressor, water pump engines and etc.. They seem to do the job BUT..... I would buy two as when they fuck up they are fishing weights. You cannot open them to repair.

They are somewhat reliable but I wouldn't go to sea relying on one.
I suppose on a Canal you can aye just phone a taxi though.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[WD Forte]

Haven't played with them things for years but had a feeling you
could refurb them
so some googling got this

https://www.asap-supplies.com/marine/bmc-1500-pumps-and-pump-spares/repair-kit-for-fuel-lift-pump-as-8g8845-199042
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bikers smell of wee

[MCN]

Those pumps don't move a lot of fuel for 'the effort exerted'. Perkins use them and they were always a cnut to have to rely on for priming an empty system. They only move about 1-2cc of fuel. The problem is that the design is an attempt at making a dual purpose pump. As a lift/transfer pump and and as a priming pump.
I would keep the original arrangement (as fitted) but as suggested, overhaul the original unit using the kit (above).
The kits work and help increase the pump efficiency, if it's an ancient unit.

Nothing to stop you fitting the leccy pump and tee it in as a priming pump to save your wee fingers when servicing the fuel system.

Priming with those cam driven lift pumps is/are a cnut even when they are brand new.

Not sure if you have read it but priming needs to follow a sequence.

1) Prime until fuel issues from Tank to Outlet side of lift pump.
2) Prime until fuel issues from Outlet of lift pump to main filter housing.
3) Prime until fuel issues from Outlet of main filter. (Normally there is a plug or cock on top of the filter housing for that.)
4) Prime until fuel issues from the small (bastart size) bolt/plug in the side of the injection pump housing. The thread has a groove milled into the first few threads to let air and fuel weep out when slacked off a few turns. (But you normally end up removing the plug completely in one's frustration.)
5) Slacken the nuts of the injector lines at the injectors and prime until fuel issues from the lines. They recommend only one line needs to be opened but again in frustration all line will end up being opened.

If there is an electric ignition (Fuel Shut Off) control make sure this is on when you get to step 3. There is a solenoid valve in the pump housing to control fuel flow to the injection pump. Switching off the key/off switch will kill the engine. Some pumps use a cable shut-off or another solenoid to do the same as a cable will do.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Polarbear]

I know perfectly well how to prime a diesel system, especially this system thanks.

I am just thinking about making my life easier. How many diesels now use a mechanical lift pump? I doubt any, they all use electric so logically, fitting an electric pump should be an upgrade.

It might even make my engine go faster like fitting a pink powerband to a stroker.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[WD Forte]

I bet these modern electrical lift pumps cost a sight more than £8.99
I'd refurb the mech one and possibly have the cheap leccy one as a spare/just in case which you'll probably never need.
You could also use it as an impromptu transfer pump.
If you must go electirc I'd suggest something like this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YANMAR-DIESEL-ENGINE-REPLACEMENT-12V-ELECTRIC-FUEL-LIFT-PUMP-C-W-8MM-TAILS/271270112275?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D33959%26meid%3Dd0679fdf028d41ae9fa663a1f05e430a%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D2%26sd%3D270964416418

It;s rated at 6000 hours which our narrow boat technical team reckons is about the time it takes to get from MK to London and back on the Grand Union
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bikers smell of wee

[MCN]

[Polarbear]