Electric Fuel Pump Problem

junkcarfann
junkcarfann Expert Adviser
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Just took the car out for a spin, after it was idle for a while. The 6v fuel pump would not stop pumping. It is the typical JC Whitney style pump that clicks. Also, sometimes the noise from the pump was much louder than normal, then it would return to the normal sound, but always running.



The needle valve in the carburetor was not sticking, so no gas went into the engine, and the car ran fine, but the pump would not stop running. It usually just blips on and off as needed.



The pump pushes into the original fuel pump, and the car is now 8volt. The pump came new in a box with the car, and I replaced one just like it that was old.



Any suggestions?

Comments

  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    First be sure there isn't an air leak developed between the tank and the pump. If it's the Walbro pump, more likely is a failed pump bellows diaphragm (Some of these are marked AC ... the 6v version is model EP-11). I've seen some of them where the bellows has turned to mush just sitting on the shelf, never having been on a car. An outfit in the Cleveland, OH, area sells repair kits for these pumps ... I've installed quite a few. V.E. Peterson Co., 1-800-537-6212. They'll take a credit card number and ship right away. The bellows repair kit is #300-714S, about $7; the check valve replacement kit is 300-665S, about $5 (The valves don't often go bad). Instructions are included.
  • junkcarfann wrote:
    Just took the car out for a spin, after it was idle for a while. The 6v fuel pump would not stop pumping. It is the typical JC Whitney style pump that clicks. Also, sometimes the noise from the pump was much louder than normal, then it would return to the normal sound, but always running.



    The needle valve in the carburetor was not sticking, so no gas went into the engine, and the car ran fine, but the pump would not stop running. It usually just blips on and off as needed.



    The pump pushes into the original fuel pump, and the car is now 8volt. The pump came new in a box with the car, and I replaced one just like it that was old.



    Any suggestions?
    Just an idea. You might want to use either a manual fuel pump by itself or an electrical fuel pump by itself. Sometimes using the two together compounds the problem of fuel delivery and nothing works quite right.
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    Check your oil. If it's over full, you have a problem.Perhaps the mechanical pump diaphram is leaking and diluting your oil.
  • junkcarfann
    junkcarfann Expert Adviser
    Thanks guys for all your help. The oil is fine, the pump diaphragm is mush.



    Question...the pump info sheet says not to use "gasohol", which I assume is basically the same as corn-o-hol mixed w/Gasoline. Therefore, will rebuilding the pump w/a new diaphragm result in early failure, because all the gas around here has ethanol in it.
  • Junk - The reason your pump keeps clicking is probably that the bellows is leaking. I have been through this problem with the Walbro bellows pumps and discussed this with a person at Walbro and also a man from Peterson. These pumps will not last with our modern fuels. Go to a modern electric pump. It's too bad because with these pumps , when they quit clicking you knew there was gas at the carb. Norm:mad:
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    Thanks for that input, Norm. I've been meaning to ask Peterson about the bellows survivability, but kept forgetting. The electric pump on my Hornet is one I got from JC Whitney, I think, and it's a really good replacement for the Walbro ... in-line design, looks like a small metal fuel filter; very compact. Has been in operation for about four years now, with no problems (sorry I don't have a Whitney catalog or I'd try to identify it there).
  • mars55
    mars55 Senior Contributor
    Here is a thread on Electric Fuel Pumps you might find helpful.



    http://www.classiccar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9203&highlight=electric+fuel+pump
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