how to start without an electric fuel pump

[00-Negative]

6 hours ago, ArtVandelay said:

 

I added a blue light on the instrument panel to let me know the fuel pump is on.

 

I need this. I have an alert set on my Ipad for 60 sec after takeoff, but the pump still gets left on. Did you just come from the switch with a simple indicator light?

-David

[ArtVandelay]

I need this. I have an alert set on my Ipad for 60 sec after takeoff, but the pump still gets left on. Did you just come from the switch with a simple indicator light?
-David

Yes:

[EricJ]

I have a climbout checklist that includes the boost pump, gear up, flaps up, etc.   It's handier than one would hope. 

[Slick Nick]

9 hours ago, ArtVandelay said:

 

I added a blue light on the instrument panel to let me know the fuel pump is on.

 

Later models have a blue “BOOST PUMP” indication in the annunciatior panel. 

[Pinecone]

BTW, not all Mooneys use the fuel pump on take off.   It is not in the checklist for my M20K.

 

In fact there is a Takeoff checklist to confirm that the boost pump is Off/

[varlajo]

4 hours ago, EricJ said:

climbout checklist

This!! No need for hardware solutions for software problems...

[kortopates]

Although the early Mooney electric boost pumps burned out pretty quickly when left on, these days once overhauled they’re all rated for continuous duty. Thus it shouldn’t be the problem or concern it was years ago.


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[EricJ]

19 hours ago, Pinecone said:

BTW, not all Mooneys use the fuel pump on take off.   It is not in the checklist for my M20K.

 

In fact there is a Takeoff checklist to confirm that the boost pump is Off/

Yes, the Continental fuel injection system is fundamentally different from the Lycoming in theory of operation.

[Aaviationist]

its important to follow these steps upon learning you have a bad electric pump on the ground -
 

Step one remove key from switch

step 2 remove all occupants 

step 3 walk to car

step 4 drive wherever it was your going

[Matthew P]

On 9/9/2025 at 8:09 PM, N201MKTurbo said:

You will get fuel pressure just cranking it. I rarely use the boost pump to start my plane.

If you need to fly it somewhere for maintenance, you will need a ferry permit to do it legally.

Probably referring to priming it with the electric boost pump.

 

[N201MKTurbo]

25 minutes ago, Matthew P said:

Probably referring to priming it with the electric boost pump.

 

Huh?

[Hank]

48 minutes ago, Matthew P said:

Probably referring to priming it with the electric boost pump.

 

Yes. I run the electric pump until fuel pressure stabilizes, then turn it off and crank. Was taught this at a MAPA PPP just a few months after purchasing my Mooney. 

[midlifeflyer]

On 9/11/2025 at 5:37 PM, Pinecone said:

BTW, not all Mooneys use the fuel pump on take off.   It is not in the checklist for my M20K.

 

In fact there is a Takeoff checklist to confirm that the boost pump is Off/

Boost pump off except for priming and emergencies is common (although not universal)  the big Continentals. It's true for the Bonanzas as well. Not true for the SR22.

[Matthew P]

10 hours ago, N201MKTurbo said:

Huh?

For my 1965 M20E, start checklist, you turn on the electric fuel pump, push mixture in for 5-7 seconds to get fuel in the lines/cylinder, turn it off, pull out mixture and then start...

[Justin Schmidt]

On 9/9/2025 at 9:09 PM, N201MKTurbo said:

You will get fuel pressure just cranking it. I rarely use the boost pump to start my plane.

If you need to fly it somewhere for maintenance, you will need a ferry permit to do it legally.

At least the boston fsdo will not issue if anything in the tcds is not operational.  Know from experience. 

[N201MKTurbo]

1 hour ago, Justin Schmidt said:

At least the boston fsdo will not issue if anything in the tcds is not operational.  Know from experience. 

I’ve gotten a few around here. Moving it for maintenance is right there on the form. All they ever wanted was an A&P to sign the form saying it was airworthy for the flight. There is no guidance for what that is. I think it matters what your relationship with the FSDO is.

[N201MKTurbo]

3 hours ago, Matthew P said:

For my 1965 M20E, start checklist, you turn on the electric fuel pump, push mixture in for 5-7 seconds to get fuel in the lines/cylinder, turn it off, pull out mixture and then start...

But the OP said his electric pump didn’t work. He was asking about starting it without the pump.

[ArtVandelay]

Although the early Mooney electric boost pumps burned out pretty quickly when left on, these days once overhauled they’re all rated for continuous duty. Thus it shouldn’t be the problem or concern it was years ago.


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Is this actually documented anywhere or just scuttlebutt?

[kortopates]

Is this actually documented anywhere or just scuttlebutt?

The original Duke pumps were not rated for continuous duty and burned out pretty quickly. Overhauled though get better parts and rated for continuous duty.


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[Matthew P]

8 hours ago, N201MKTurbo said:

But the OP said his electric pump didn’t work. He was asking about starting it without the pump.

I understand that....he wanting to know how to start the aircraft as he has no means of priming it due to the electric fuel pump being inop.

[Matthew P]

On 9/11/2025 at 9:12 AM, 00-Negative said:

I need this. I have an alert set on my Ipad for 60 sec after takeoff, but the pump still gets left on. Did you just come from the switch with a simple indicator light?

-David

Following the checklist would rectify that

[00-Negative]

On 9/14/2025 at 1:46 PM, Matthew P said:

Following the checklist would rectify that

Thanks for this profound statement. I have checklists. Lots of checklists. Hard copies and digital checklists on my iPad and phone. If following the checklist is the end-all solution, why did a boost -pump indicator light become standard equipment on late models? Your statement contributes absolutely nothing to this conversation. 

-David

[N201MKTurbo]

On 9/13/2025 at 10:27 PM, ArtVandelay said:

Is this actually documented anywhere or just scuttlebutt?

The pumps originally had steel vanes in a steel hub riding on a steel chamber. The rebuilt pumps have nylatron vanes. They don’t wear out the chamber or the hub. They will actually run dry for quite a while.

[Matthew P]

8 hours ago, 00-Negative said:

Thanks for this profound statement. I have checklists. Lots of checklists. Hard copies and digital checklists on my iPad and phone. If following the checklist is the end-all solution, why did a boost -pump indicator light become standard equipment on late models? Your statement contributes absolutely nothing to this conversation. 

-David

 

8 hours ago, 00-Negative said:

Thanks for this profound statement. I have checklists. Lots of checklists. Hard copies and digital checklists on my iPad and phone. If following the checklist is the end-all solution, why did a boost -pump indicator light become standard equipment on late models? Your statement contributes absolutely nothing to this conversation. 

-David

It’s for those individuals that have checklists. Lots of checklists. Hard copies and digital checklists on their iPad and phone BUT still can’t seem to follow their fugging checklist. But it’ also for those who do follow their checklist to let them know that during those critical phases of flight, where the checklist calls out for turning on the fuel pump, that their electrical fuel pump is/isn’t working and therefore, if it isn’t then you have no backup in the event the mechanical pump fails…

Edited Tuesday at 12:05 PM by Matthew P