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Posted

Yep, sold the brand new Weldon one I had last month.  I still have the Dukes I removed which is rebuild able and has a very slight leak (maybe 5 drops an hour) but I decided to put the new Weldon in this past annual.  I have it listed for $100 on the sale pages.

BILL

Posted

Evidently, the swap from Weldon to Dukes is more involved than a simple swap. Or so says Mr Maxwell explained to Matt.

 

I believe they are different sizes.  

Posted

yes it is, they mount different and requires some plumbing changes.  

 

Evidently, the swap from Weldon to Dukes is more involved than a simple swap. Or so says Mr Maxwell explained to Matt.

Posted

From the Weldon HE has to the old style DUkes is a difference in the mounting bracket and spacing of the fittings.  The Dukes is smaller.  I could have purchased a "kit" from Mooney to convert to the Weldon Mat has for c2AMU. Ii includes a new  bracket and fuel lines.

I elected to go with the NEW Weldon model which is an exact fit for the Dukes.

BILL

Posted

I've got to jump in to this, as my fuel pump just started leaking.  If you have a Dukes pump, it sounds like there are a few options:  1) get it overhauled at Aeromotorsllc.com for $400.  2) get it overhauled at QAA for around $850.  or 3)  get a new Weldon 18020-A for around $800.

 

What are the thoughts on the Aeromotors overhaul vs the Weldon 18020-A? 

Posted

I don't know of this SB (which was turned into an AD) effects you but if it does, if you put the Weldon pump in, you can get ride of that filter the AD made you put in.  Reference SB 20-222b.  What the AD should of said was replace the pump with a Weldon, not put a filter in because the pump spews out crap.

Posted

Apparently, there is very little if any difference between a new versus a rebuilt Weldon pump. The pump internals are all new and the electric motors are simply replaced because that's cheaper than rebuilding them. This learned from a Weldon rebuilder who also sells new. The price difference is hardly worth mentioning.

I also learned that the shelf life of a new or remanufactured pump is considered to be 10 years by the manufacturer. I found a good deal on a new in box Weldon pump on eBay. But the manufacturing tag says it's 14 years old. Weldon says it might work fine or might start leaking the next day.

Through all of this research I also learned that it's extremely common for these types of pumps to leak. So common in fact that they are leaking on many aircraft without owners even being aware of it. I talked to at least a dozen different people ranging from senior aircraft inspectors with decades of experience to veteran Mooney ferry pilots and though all agree that any leaking fuel is not good and should be rectified there was ample evidence of Mooneys being safely flown many many hundreds of miles with leaking boost pumps. Additionally, I was assured by people intimately familiar with the internals of the pumps that they would not suck air into the fuel system or catch on fire. The worst I was told was that I might lose a pint or two of fuel on the long trip home.

So, I drove the rental car 17 1/2 hours back to Mustang Island (with one 18 minute fuel stop), got up the next morning and flew the plane home without incident.

While I could've flown the plane home with the family I'm glad that I didn't try because of the doubt I had at the time in combination with the marginal weather at departure. In the coming weeks I will install a rebuilt pump as time permits, in a heated shop.

Posted

So Matt, when do we get the rest of the story? New or rebuilt pump, how long to install, etc.

 

Yes, curious what happened. I've pulled my pump before. Probably not much more than 30-45 minutes R&R. Pretty straight forward for the electric. The mechanical pump is a bit tight to get to with the mags in but the electric is pretty easy.

 

-Robert

Posted

Good to know. Glad you and family got safey home and plane is back safe and sound. I am going weldon when pump fails...again.

+1

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