burned out my fuel pump?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
burned out my fuel pump? Among other things, I think I burnt out my fuel pump. I am a carb guy so here comes a stupid question: If I run the tank out of gas will it burn up my 250.00 walbro pump? I was trying to troubleshoot my cooling problem with the litte fuel I had left, next thing I know the engine dies. I assume it is just out of fuel. I put more fuel in it and nothing... I ran 12V to the pump and still nothing... Is it possible that it is just overheated? Or is she dead?
Semper Fi,
Clay
Semper Fi,
Clay
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 274
Likes: 4
From: Kansas City, MO
Originally Posted by 77vetteLS1
If I run the tank out of gas will it burn up my 250.00 walbro pump? I was trying to troubleshoot my cooling problem with the litte fuel I had left, next thing I know the engine dies. I assume it is just out of fuel. I put more fuel in it and nothing... I ran 12V to the pump and still nothing... Is it possible that it is just overheated? Or is she dead?
Semper Fi,
Clay
Semper Fi,
Clay
Check the simple stuff first like the fuse. Then check the wiring to the pump making sure there is power and a ground. Clean the ground. Use a test light to check power because a broken wire can have voltage pressent but not connect enough to allow current to a load. If you have to drop the tank and pull the pump power it up directly and see if it works, it just might be just the wiring connection.
The last item is it just went bad, stuff happens.
I hope this helps
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Thanks for the help, the good thing is it is an inline pump so if I need to replace it, it would not be a problem. I have put 12 volts to it and nothing happened, but that was 15 minutes after it stopped running. Does anyone know if there is a chance she could work if I left it alone over night. Give it a chance to cool down.?????
TECH Regular
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
As mentioned the inline pumps will burn out quickly without gas and jam up if any dirt gets in them. You may try back flushing it or giving it a rap with peice of wood to bring it back to life but for such a vital part I would spend a $100 on a new walbro or airtex pump. Are you using an intank pump before the walbro? If not I would recommend using a "puller" pump to supply the high pressure "pusher" pump.
Originally Posted by 77vetteLS1
.....it is an inline pump....
inline pumps suck.. lol.
seriously though, take it out, backflush it, and see if you can get it to work on the bench...
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A co-worker here who formerly was an engineer w/ one of the big auto mfgs described their failure mode effect analysis testing on in-tank fuel pumps a while back. The "no gas" failure mode killed the pump within <20sec every time. Consistent pattern was the plastic turbine overheated and melted, fusing it to the pump housing...the electric motor itself was fine in every test.
He admitted that it wasn't a truly accurate test, given that in real-world conditions the engine would have shutoff and the pump circuit would have opened rather than allowing the pump to continue running dry, but they did conclude that the plastic impeller would have incurred damage to some extent in the few seconds of dry running. (they requested funding to repeat the FMEA test in real-world conditions but got shot down)
He admitted that it wasn't a truly accurate test, given that in real-world conditions the engine would have shutoff and the pump circuit would have opened rather than allowing the pump to continue running dry, but they did conclude that the plastic impeller would have incurred damage to some extent in the few seconds of dry running. (they requested funding to repeat the FMEA test in real-world conditions but got shot down)
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Originally Posted by crainholio
A co-worker here who formerly was an engineer w/ one of the big auto mfgs described their failure mode effect analysis testing on in-tank fuel pumps a while back. The "no gas" failure mode killed the pump within <20sec every time. Consistent pattern was the plastic turbine overheated and melted, fusing it to the pump housing...the electric motor itself was fine in every test.
He admitted that it wasn't a truly accurate test, given that in real-world conditions the engine would have shutoff and the pump circuit would have opened rather than allowing the pump to continue running dry, but they did conclude that the plastic impeller would have incurred damage to some extent in the few seconds of dry running. (they requested funding to repeat the FMEA test in real-world conditions but got shot down)
He admitted that it wasn't a truly accurate test, given that in real-world conditions the engine would have shutoff and the pump circuit would have opened rather than allowing the pump to continue running dry, but they did conclude that the plastic impeller would have incurred damage to some extent in the few seconds of dry running. (they requested funding to repeat the FMEA test in real-world conditions but got shot down)
heh, i can double confirm that..
almost everyone ive seen fail has had the impeller melted...
if you take it apart and get it "fixed" you can make a intresting backpack squirtgun.... lol. deadhead it to a blowgun.. with the melted and now slightly smaller impeller, they work fine without a regulator.
Originally Posted by jdperk-86elco
It is possible that is just went bad on its own. Keep in mind the fuel pump in the tank is using the fuel to keep it cool. However the fuel pump will not be surrounded by fuel when the tank is low and the pump should still work and not overheat. However if it runs for a long time without fuel it could burn up but I don't think so.
Check the simple stuff first like the fuse. Then check the wiring to the pump making sure there is power and a ground. Clean the ground. Use a test light to check power because a broken wire can have voltage pressent but not connect enough to allow current to a load. If you have to drop the tank and pull the pump power it up directly and see if it works, it just might be just the wiring connection.
The last item is it just went bad, stuff happens.
I hope this helps
Check the simple stuff first like the fuse. Then check the wiring to the pump making sure there is power and a ground. Clean the ground. Use a test light to check power because a broken wire can have voltage pressent but not connect enough to allow current to a load. If you have to drop the tank and pull the pump power it up directly and see if it works, it just might be just the wiring connection.
The last item is it just went bad, stuff happens.
I hope this helps
How much current does it take to light a test light? If you really want to check the wiring, Take a old sealed beam headlight and use it for your testlight, atleast you are drawing a few amps. Thats what our shop has done for years.
