Matt Michael Posted December 31, 2014 Report Posted December 31, 2014 Discovered my fuel pump was leaking significantly during my preflight prior to departure for home today. Been staying at the awesome Amelia's Landing hotel at Port Aransas (KRAS) TX. Probably not a great idea to fly with it leaking. Got the whole family and 1000 miles to go. Called Don Maxwell and left a message. Rough time due to the holidays. Better half needs to be at work on Monday. If anybody has any bright ideas I'm all ears and big thanks in advance. I've got a Weldon A8163A
BigTex Posted December 31, 2014 Report Posted December 31, 2014 Dugosh is just down the road in Kerrville. Might give those guys a call.
Matt Michael Posted December 31, 2014 Author Report Posted December 31, 2014 Not answering the phone today :-(
Mcstealth Posted December 31, 2014 Report Posted December 31, 2014 Call me. If you can maybe find one, I will drive it down to you. Call Jimmy Garrison maybe.
Piloto Posted December 31, 2014 Report Posted December 31, 2014 Try starting the engine even if you do not get pressure from the Weldon. Run the engine for 5 minutes at 1000rpm. Shut it down and check for leaks. José 1
Mcstealth Posted December 31, 2014 Report Posted December 31, 2014 Called All American. They do not have one. Called the FBO in Kerrville and no one is in the maintenance hanger. Sorry. No help yet.
N201MKTurbo Posted December 31, 2014 Report Posted December 31, 2014 What fuel pump are you looking for. I have a mechanical that is used but I think it is serviceable.
Matt Michael Posted December 31, 2014 Author Report Posted December 31, 2014 Mcstealth where are you located? My number is 515-451-1068, cell/text I've got pressure just fine. But not real keen on taking off into marginal conditions leaking fuel. Don Maxwell said it would probably be fine but could suck air on climb out. You can imagine how fun that would be!
Matt Michael Posted December 31, 2014 Author Report Posted December 31, 2014 Electric boost pump. Weldon
bonal Posted January 1, 2015 Report Posted January 1, 2015 Can you tell where it's leaking perhaps it's just a gasket that's failed and could be field repaired with some gasket material cut to size. Otherwise you might have to get a car rental get your family home safe then back down with your new fuel pump to get your bird home. Good luck to you. Always remember it's better to be on the ground wishing you were flying than in the air wishing you were on the ground. 1
Matt Michael Posted January 1, 2015 Author Report Posted January 1, 2015 Leaking out of the blue AN threaded fitting (flare or compression) on the bottom of the pump that I believe is there specifically as a drain. There is a 1 cm hole in the skin directly under the fitting obviously to allow fuel to exit. So, clearly it's designed as a drain. But, now it is dripping a drop approximately once per second which to me seems like a lot. In 18 hours my full tanks were down several gallons! Now that I've shut the fuel valve off its diminished significantly.
Marauder Posted January 1, 2015 Report Posted January 1, 2015 Leaking out of the blue AN threaded fitting (flare or compression) on the bottom of the pump that I believe is there specifically as a drain. There is a 1 cm hole in the skin directly under the fitting obviously to allow fuel to exit. So, clearly it's designed as a drain. But, now it is dripping a drop approximately once per second which to me seems like a lot. In 18 hours my full tanks were down several gallons! Now that I've shut the fuel valve off its diminished significantly.Is it about a half inch round? If so, it is a sump drain. Have you ever drained fuel out of it? If not, go ahead and use the sump fuel tester with your fuel sump tester. It is spring loaded just like the fuel sumps. Maybe a piece of junk got caught in it. If you are talking about the threaded valve, then I think you have an issue to deal with.
Matt Michael Posted January 1, 2015 Author Report Posted January 1, 2015 I don't think it's a sump drain although I really really wish that it was. Is there supposed to be a sump drain on the electric fuel pump?
N601RX Posted January 1, 2015 Report Posted January 1, 2015 The blue AN fitting is the fuel pump. It is there so when the seal between the pump and motor starts leaking the fuel runs out the fitting instead of filling up the motor side of the pump with fuel. Hopefully someone will be open Friday and can overnight it to you with Saturday delivery.
N601RX Posted January 1, 2015 Report Posted January 1, 2015 Dr Bill just sold one. Not sure where it went, one of the persons asking a question about is located in Tx. I think Scott (KCMooniac) has an extra one also, you might send him a PM. http://mooneyspace.com/topic/13021-weldon-electric-fuel-pump-8163a/
Mcstealth Posted January 1, 2015 Report Posted January 1, 2015 Matt, I have nothing to report. All I have called are a dry well. David
Yetti Posted January 1, 2015 Report Posted January 1, 2015 One option would be to bypass the boost pump and just fly on the engine driven pump which is how you fly all the time. http://www.mooney.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/sbm20-227b.pdf You would need to remove the fuel lines from the pump. The fuel lines are a JIC fitting http://www.amazon.com/Weatherhead-C5515X8-Flare-Twin-Fitting-Straight/dp/B00BKFQP6M You would need this JIC fitting and some fuel line and clamps https://www.fastenal.com/web/products/details/441500-131280 NAPA Auto Parts Address: 1354 West Wheeler Avenue, Aransas Pass, TX 78336 Napa would probably have the fittings and fuel line IF not there is an aeroquip dealer over across in Corpus http://amigosequipment.com/oilfield.htm As always you are the owner/PIC
jrwilson Posted January 1, 2015 Report Posted January 1, 2015 One option would be to bypass the boost pump and just fly on the engine driven pump which is how you fly all the time. http://www.mooney.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/sbm20-227b.pdf You would need to remove the fuel lines from the pump. The fuel lines are a JIC fitting http://www.amazon.com/Weatherhead-C5515X8-Flare-Twin-Fitting-Straight/dp/B00BKFQP6M You would need this JIC fitting and some fuel line and clamps https://www.fastenal.com/web/products/details/441500-131280 NAPA Auto Parts Address: 1354 West Wheeler Avenue, Aransas Pass, TX 78336 Napa would probably have the fittings and fuel line IF not there is an aeroquip dealer over across in Corpus http://amigosequipment.com/oilfield.htm As always you are the owner/PIC Except then on that 1000 mile flight home he has no backup system should his engine driven pump fail. While maybe a reasonable work around (maybe) for a short hop to mx, I think in general it is a bad idea. The Weldon boost pump is super easy to field replace, once one arrived. The smart choice here is good ol' Southwest Airlines and pick the plane up later. I always try to remember "time to spare, go by air." Don't fall victim to get thereitis. 3
mooneyflyfast Posted January 1, 2015 Report Posted January 1, 2015 You have a hole in your pump diaphragm. You will need a new or rebuilt one. I went through this a few years ago on my J model. I would try to get one Fed X for delivery Sat. and try to find someone to install it Sat. or Sun.
Yetti Posted January 1, 2015 Report Posted January 1, 2015 Corpus is one of the centers of getting oilfield stuff rebuilt. Best option. Pull the pump SWA the family home and get a rebuild. come down and reinstall the pump and fly it home. Or order one next day and replace it. Fly it home. Sometimes when pumps fail stuff goes downstream. Back flushing the system is a good idea. 1
carusoam Posted January 1, 2015 Report Posted January 1, 2015 when you have time... Update some details like what Mooney you have. A casual observer might have the part you are looking for but doesn't know what you need. my experience with the electric boost pump... The seals leak with age (15 years for mine). My pump got removed, sent out, installed new parts, sent back, and got reinstalled. the R&R was pretty easy. shipping around the country took time... The other thing I noticed was my boost pump had been leaking for years without me really knowing it. It happens under the plane while you are inside. the part that made me uneasy... can air be sucked into the fuel system with the leak I had...? When I saw a drip fall out of the pump drain, while I was pre-flighting, I knew it was time to get it fixed... good luck! Help us Help you, Which Mooney do you have? -a-
Matt Michael Posted January 1, 2015 Author Report Posted January 1, 2015 66 E, Weldon pump A8163-A Thanks to everyone. The outpouring of attention here, phone, and email has been very encouraging.
FlyDave Posted January 1, 2015 Report Posted January 1, 2015 I have a Dukes 1499-00-19 that I can send. I'm not sure if you can use it on your plane.
tony Posted January 1, 2015 Report Posted January 1, 2015 Its listed (A8163-A) in the aircraft spruce catalog $943.0 without a core.
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