Service Bulletin: Fuel Pump Replacement

by Matt Wassam in General Tech Discussion 11 years ago

I have a 912 ULS that has a fuel pump effected by last weeks bulletin "recommending" the replacement of my mechanical fuel pump labeled s/n 892546.
I thought I would get some thoughts on where the best place is to buy the part and if "Recommended" means you would change it ASAP, before flying it again, etc.
My engine has 32 hours on it and is on a Powered Parachute.
Thank you for your advice.

Re: Service Bulletin: Fuel Pump Replacement

by Roger Lee » 11 years ago

Roger Lee

126 5.12k 4.53k

Hi Matt,

My personal thoughts only and others here and yours may differ.

This was a recommendation and not one of the mandatory SB's. Prices are fairly standard for the fuel pump. The main places here in the US is Lockwood, Leading Edge and California Power Systems. Pumps without hoses are around $175. Pumps with hoses are around $565. (those aren't exact prices)
I have done some research with our fuel pumps. Things like removing them completely and just joining the two hoses and running the engine (high verses low wing does make a difference), removing the pump off the engine, but leaving it inline to check flow through a dead pump. I have replaced a number of pumps over the years, but they tend to just weep out of the weep hole when they start to go bad. Personally I haven't seen one that has just fell apart and quit working all together. Maybe someone else here can chime in if they have seen a catastrophic failure. For me personally I'm not overly inclined to replace a good functioning fuel pump and just replace them on demand if they show signs of breaking down.
That's just me and I'm sure there are people here that will have a different opinion and that's okay. The SB says recommended so you will have to make up your own mind. No matter which way you go you should always take a quick look in the pump area when the cowl is off or a pre-flight.

Roger Lee
LSRM-A & Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
Tucson, AZ Ryan Airfield (KRYN)
520-349-7056 Cell

Thank you said by: Matt Wassam

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Re: Service Bulletin: Fuel Pump Replacement

by Matt Wassam » 11 years ago

Matt Wassam

3 5 0

Roger,
Thank you for this good information. I must admit that I was reluctant to suggest that I wasn't going to jump to replace a perfectly good pump with 31 total hrs on it for fear that the forum would crucify me!! I have no leakage and with a electric backup I think I'll just keep an eye on it. Thank you again for your valued opinion.

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Re: Service Bulletin: Fuel Pump Replacement

by bill martin » 11 years ago

bill martin

10 757 0

Matt,

All three of the companies Roger mentioned sell the pumps but, due to the service letter, none of them have any. L.E.A.F says they should have some in July and they already have 20 backorders.

I got my name on their list and intend to change mine. If your pump is working now with the proper pressures, chances are that it will continue to work. My old pump is right on the numbers and I have had no problems. (I do check the weep hole with every preflight)

It's kind of a gamble but the odds are in your favor. I'm just guessing but I think that Rotax probably traced the few failures they had back to certain lot numbers and determined those lots to be suspect.

Just my personal opinion, but I check the weep hole and fuel pressure and if everything is OK, I go flying.

Bill.

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Service Bulletin: Fuel Pump Replacement

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