Dana 24 - Fuel Pump

[ngatewd]

I have a 1990 Dana with a 2GM20F Yanmar, and I'm wondering if the fuel pump is necessary? I'm getting conflicting opinions. Some say the engine's own pump is all that's needed. Others say it is needed. The boat was manufactured with a Walbro pump. Someone at PSC just told me the pump isn't needed, yet the boat came with one??? Does anyone have an understanding the need for this pump? Please advise.
Ned

[JohnRPollard]

The auxiliary electric fuel pump helps to lift the fuel from the fuel tank located down in the bilge. Perhaps when the mechanical pump is operating optimally, with a full tank of fuel, you could get away without it. But I would not eliminate it.

The electric pump on our previous Dana 24 never gave us any trouble, but when it failed on our current Crealock 31 (essentially the same engine/ fuel tank configuration) we had difficulty starting if the boat had sat for a while.

[Sapperwhite]

My Orion had the aux fuel pump disconnected when I had bought her. I never did get to ask the owners what was the problem. So now i am still puttering along on just the engines fuel pump. My tank is also in the bilge, and there is probably 3 feet of head between the engines pump and the bottom of the tank. I never thought it was an issue until now.... It does make a lot of sense to have the pump back on considering the 3 feet of head that the little Yanmar pump has to overcome, plus the resistance of the Racor and engines fuel filter. Great another project!

[richnren]

Also, the extra pump makes bleeding the engine a whole lot easier.

All I do is open one bleed screw, turn on the "Ignition" switch, and hold a paper towel to catch the fuel. When the pump pushes fuel into the paper towel, I'm done.

[Sapperwhite]

Originally Posted by richnren

Also, the extra pump makes bleeding the engine a whole lot easier.

All I do is open one bleed screw, turn on the "Ignition" switch, and hold a paper towel to catch the fuel. When the pump pushes fuel into the paper towel, I'm done.

I could imagine. The POs had bypassed the aux pump, probably becasue it had died and they didn't want to replace it, and fitted an in line priming bulb in its place for bleeding the engine. I've found that the priming bulb works well when I do any engine work that requires bleeding.

Still going to have to replace the pump though, I just might leave the bulb in line as second defense.

[dohenyboy]

By the way, Walbro has discontinued their line of diesel fuel pumps to make room for a next generation pump. You can still find the old pump but soon there will be no more of them--I bought four of them for backup

[ngatewd]

I posted a question regarding an auxiliary fuel pump on my PSC Dana 24 in which you responded and said Walbro was no longer making the diesel fuel pump that is used on the Yanmar 2GM. Can you tell me the model number , etc. of the right pump, and where can I now get one.
Thanks a lot!

Ned
CAMELOT 152