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Electric Fuel Pump problem

 
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jng62433(at)aol.com
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 1:13 pm    Post subject: Electric Fuel Pump problem Reply with quote

I need an opinion or best guess regarding my electric fuel pump.  After returning home from the open house in Shelbyville my Garmin 496 has had some issues. Up to now Garmin repair facility and I have been taking turns having it for a week at a time. Several days ago after the aircraft had been sitting for a few weeks, the engine wouldn't start and the battery had to be charged, then the engine still wouldn't start and I checked the fuel drain on the firewall and there was only a drop of fuel at which point I turned on the electric fuel pump and checked it again and the fuel started coming through and the engine started.  Now I am concerned that the electric fuel pump is weak. Has anyone else experienced this problem or know of a test to confirm if the electric fuel pump is okay ?

Happy Holidays

Jim Goad
Punta Gorda Florida
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Kayberg(at)aol.com
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 2:57 pm    Post subject: Electric Fuel Pump problem Reply with quote

In a message dated 12/26/2009 4:13:46 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, jng62433(at)aol.com writes:
Quote:
I need an opinion or best guess regarding my electric fuel pump.  After returning home from the open house in Shelbyville my Garmin 496 has had some issues. Up to now Garmin repair facility and I have been taking turns having it for a week at a time. Several days ago after the aircraft had been sitting for a few weeks, the engine wouldn't start and the battery had to be charged, then the engine still wouldn't start and I checked the fuel drain on the firewall and there was only a drop of fuel at which point I turned on the electric fuel pump and checked it again and the fuel started coming through and the engine started. Now I am concerned that the electric fuel pump is weak. Has anyone else experienced this problem or know of a test to confirm if the electric fuel pump is okay ?

Happy Holidays

Jim Goad
Punta Gorda Florida


Your post is a little confusing. Did you have the electric fuel pump on before you tried to start it?

Normally, one turns on the electric pump and lets it run until it starts making the "carb is full" noise. I like to turn it off at that point, but it is not a problem to leave it on. By starting the engine on the mechanical pump you verify that BOTH electric and mechanical are working because you could hear the electric change tone when it had filled the carb and fuel lines AND the mechanical took over from there.

You note that when you turned the electric ON, fuel flowed. Assuming the amount was acceptable, there is no problem with the electric.....judging on what you have said. They dont pump huge amounts; but there is a rating for your pump. You can always disconnect a hose and let it pump for a known time and see if it comes close to the standard.

OR you could spend $40 bucks and get a new one.

You also mentioned a low charge on the battery. If you didn't charge it to full voltage, the electric fuel pump will not get enough power. If the battery will not spin the engine at more than 300 rpm, it doesn't have enough power and niether will the electric fuel pump.

Again, there is some information missing, so I could likewise miss your real question.

Doug Koenigsberg
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lbmathias(at)verizon.net
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 5:42 pm    Post subject: Electric Fuel Pump problem Reply with quote

Jim,

I don't know anything about the electric fuel pump but I recommend that you check the gap on the electronic ignition. When I was having trouble starting the engine about a year ago, the gap at the magnets was too large. That may be your problem; you might also want to get a battery tender. I leave that plugged in all the time when the plane is in the hangar.

Happy New Year, Linda
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N1BZRich(at)aol.com
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 6:55 pm    Post subject: Electric Fuel Pump problem Reply with quote

Hi Jim,
Like Doug mentioned, my before start procedure (if I have not flown for a day or two) is to run the fuel pump until I hear that fuel has now filled the line all the way to the carb. You probably don't have to worry too much about cold starts in Florida, but Linda's mention of keeping the gap set properly will certainly help starting as well. One of the recent newsletters talked about that. If your battery is over two years old, the battery tender will help keep it topped off if you don't fly too often. I use one that only puts out about 3/4 amp.
As to the Garmin 496, if you have had it a while, I am guessing the internal battery has gone bad and thus it does not keep the proper local time between uses. Therefore when you turn it on, without the correct local time, it is looking for the satellites in the wrong place. Even if it is at the same location that your turned it off at, if the internal battery is bad the time will be wrong and thus the satellites will not be where it thinks they should be. Takes lots of extra time to find itself. I have that problem with my 296 and so far have not sent it in to have a new internal battery installed. I think they charge several hundred dollars to replace a 5 dollar battery - lots of labor???? Below is a auto locate procedure I use to speed up the process of finding the satellites.
Before you turn the Garmin on press and hold the zoom out button down and continue to hole it while you turn the unit on. Don't release the out button until the screen asks you to acknowledge - "I Agree". Hit enter to agree and then you can release the zoom out button.
Hope this helps - well if that is your Garmin's problem. Other wise order one of their new 500 series Aeras. That is what I did - Christmas gift to myself.
Blue skies,
Buz


In a message dated 12/26/2009 4:13:46 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, jng62433(at)aol.com writes:
Quote:
I need an opinion or best guess regarding my electric fuel pump.  After returning home from the open house in Shelbyville my Garmin 496 has had some issues. Up to now Garmin repair facility and I have been taking turns having it for a week at a time. Several days ago after the aircraft had been sitting for a few weeks, the engine wouldn't start and the battery had to be charged, then the engine still wouldn't start and I checked the fuel drain on the firewall and there was only a drop of fuel at which point I turned on the electric fuel pump and checked it again and the fuel started coming through and the engine started. Now I am concerned that the electric fuel pump is weak. Has anyone else experienced this problem or know of a test to confirm if the electric fuel pump is okay ?

Happy Holidays

Jim Goad
Punta Gorda Florida
Quote:


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