BrettKS Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 I've been having an issue where I think I have a "dead spot" on my fuel pump. Occasionally my pump won't turn on and it'll take a few tries. An A&P cave the pilot side of the cowl a bump where the pump is and it started running, suspected there was a dead spot and recommended replacing. Is this a reason to replace? Any other options. If I need to replace, the quote I got was an appx $1050 CJ aviation overhaul of my pump vs $1300-something for an overhauled pump, $1500-something for a new pump. Aircraft spruce has plenty of cheaper fuel pumps but I'm having trouble finding exactly which pumps would be compatible with my '65 M20C. Any thoughts on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLCarter Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 I would eliminate the possibility of a bad electrical connection or faulty switch before jumping off the deep end 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrettKS Posted November 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 5 minutes ago, RLCarter said: I would eliminate the possibility of a bad electrical connection or faulty switch before jumping off the deep end Is this done by empirically replacing the switch? Or a multimeter to test for continuity? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLCarter Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 1 minute ago, BrettKS said: Is this done by empirically replacing the switch? Or a multimeter to test for continuity? The switch should also be the circuit breaker, I would check voltage and resistance at both the switch and pump 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadrach Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 (edited) Aeromotors (mentioned above) turned my pump in 3 days. I have not installed yet, so I have no feedback on the OH. $450 to OH the Dukes pump in my F model. Things to know going int an Aeromotors overhaul. Make sure to provide a return shipping label and check in the inbound package. I forgot to include a check and it slowed down my pump's return. If the pump turns out to be as good as they say, then it will be well worth dealing with the company's archaic methods for shipping, handling and payment. I asked the office manager if I could make any other form of payment (wire, venmo, PayPal or any major CC. She made it clear that all those methods were just too risky and they would only take an out of state personal check. Edited November 17, 2018 by Shadrach 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 Brett, got any details about the pump you can share? Which one is it? How many years old is it? How many hours on the airframe related to it? I believe It is a simple 12v motor with a vane type pump on the end... Oddly, Some fuel pumps are not approved for continuous running. This may give a hint to how they may wear... over time. Have your mechanic.... Supply the pump with a temporary wire for power... does it turn on? This would eliminate the switch, CB, wiring from the equation... If it behaves the same with temporary power... Consider cleaning the pump to see what falls out of it... Once it is out of the airframe.... If the pump is 50years old, you may be spending more on problem solving then it is worth... For comparison, some newer Mooneys use a fuel pump controller that can fail. A pump failure might actually be a controller that has gone bad... PP thoughts only, not a mechanic... Best regards, -a- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skydvrboy Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 3 hours ago, BrettKS said: Is this a reason to replace? Smart ass answer... "Nope, just get out and bump it when you need to use the fuel pump!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 On a similar topic.... has some additional thoughts and background.... going on currently... Best regards, -a- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrettKS Posted November 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 3 hours ago, Freemasm said: +1 for checking rocker breaker first. Probably an old Klixon. They get sloppy and finally die. Close then jiggle it, then maybe jumper across it before you spend any money on pumps/motors. Secondly, when those fragile pumps fail, they are done. They don't come back with a "bump". Commutators on those old (probably Dukes) motors go bad. Look at these guys for pump overhaul if required. http://www.aeromotorsllc.com/aeromotorsllc/default.aspx Best of luck https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/pbcircuitbrkr2.php?clickkey=44598 https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/pbrocktbrkr.php?clickkey=44598 Would either of these work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 One is not resettable after over load? The other isn’t the same form factor and won’t fit? What happened to the klixon recommendation? Involve your mechanic when guessing will cost extra... Find the exact part number/manufacturer. AircraftSpruce will have it... If you can’t find the part number buy through a reliable resource like Lasar... Get access to the bus bar. It is really easy when the avionics panels are removed... Get a pic using your smart phone, for planning purposes. Often part numbers get modernized, and ‘like-for-like’ parts are available... they do the same thing the same way, but are more modern materials or a different manufacturer.... Don’t accidently get something that fits, but doesn’t work the same... PP thoughts only... Best regards, -a- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N201MKTurbo Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 Do you have a Dukes pump or a Facet pump? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yetti Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 2 hours ago, skydvrboy said: Smart ass answer... "Nope, just get out and bump it when you need to use the fuel pump!" Meh too much work. Just apply heel of foot to the floor in a swift downward motion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrettKS Posted November 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 39 minutes ago, Yetti said: Meh too much work. Just apply heel of foot to the floor in a swift downward motion. That is exactly what my A&P joked about! Hilarious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 2 hours ago, N201MKTurbo said: Do you have a Dukes pump or a Facet pump? Dukes and Weldon are the typical pumps resident in a Mooney... Facet... more about them here... See Rich’s input below... Best regards, -a- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadrach Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 3 hours ago, skydvrboy said: Smart ass answer... "Nope, just get out and bump it when you need to use the fuel pump!" That doesn’t do very much for passenger confidence. I think it would be better to just stomp the floor really hard while complaining that your leg is asleep. No one would be the wiser... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N201MKTurbo Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 (edited) 47 minutes ago, carusoam said: Dukes and Weldon are the typical pumps resident in a Mooney... Facet... more about them here... https://www.facet-purolator.com/markets/ Best regards, -a- Some of the early C and D models had Facet pumps. You can buy a Facet pump for less than $100. The exact same pump with an FAA/PMA sticker costs $500. Edited November 16, 2018 by N201MKTurbo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 Thanks for the explanation, Rich. I adjusted my statement accordingly... Best regards, -a- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrettKS Posted December 18, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2018 Update: I started to experience the problem again and played around with the switch. Turns out if I apply pressure to the switch in a certain way the pump comes on! I think that confirms that the switch is at least part of the (hopefully the entire) issue. I'll replace it and go from there. Thanks for the suggestions and glad I didn't put out >$1k to overhaul a working pump! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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