Hello,
Thanks for the info / advice / sympathy.
Chuckles wrote:
My system (a westerbeke 30b) is self priming and self bleeding; it uses a solid state fuel pump that runs just like yours. I'm actually surprized you have to bleed at all, I never do. Assuming your pump comes on when you hit your preheater (glow plug) any air in the system caused by back flow should be pushed out and down the return line by on coming fuel - which comes back to what I think is the cause of your problems (both of you) - you have a air source in your system that is injecting air in while the pump is running.
The reason the fuel system needs to be bled is that
the pump is an 'on demand' type. When the pump is energized it pressurizes the fuel line to 5-6 psi (for the Facet pump I have) and then shuts down. When the injector pump runs it sucks fuel in, the pressure in the fuel lines drops, and the facet pump turns back on.
So when the engine is not running (or turning over) the fuel pump does not run and can't pump the air out. When you open the 'self bleed return valve' the fuel pump sends fuel back to the tank and the air gets bled.
I wonder what would happen if I left the return valve open a little?
Anway, my next course of action will be to change the fuel lines I messed with, and apply thread sealant to the hose to pump connections.
Barry