New Fuel Pump Failed Almost Immediately

[Jocko_51_B3B]

It's probably Chinese so no wonder. It worked for a couple of hours of run time, then stopped pumping. Anyway, I took it apart and compared it with a good old American fuel pump I had on the shelf. As best I can tell the inlet and outlet valves are working on both pumps. The difference I noticed is with a small ball bearing lodged in the fuel channel above the glass bowl. The good old American made pump has the bearing firmly seated in place. The new one had a smaller one but it was loose and finally disappeared as I was fooling with it. It seems to have either fallen out or it is lodged in the inlet channel somewhere. Apparently the bearings are put there from the manufacturer to make sure fuel flows from the fuel line into the glass bowl and out through the screen to the diaphragm area.  I'm wondering if that loose or missing bearing in the Chinese pump could cause the pump to stop working altogether. What if I plug up the bearing location with JB Weld? I hate to spend another $95 for pump.

 

Here's the good old American pump with the ball bearing...                                   The Chinese pump's bearing is missing...?

     

[Merle Coggins]

The ball is probably pressed in there to block a port. It's a common practice to seal off holes made from drilling out a passage. Apparently they used the wrong size ball and it didn't stay put. 

[Jocko_51_B3B]

I agree. Just wondering if it could cause the pump to fail. It seems unlikely but who knows?

[John-T-53]

What brand is the new pump and where did you get it? The box it came in should state where it was made....

 

That ball is just to direct incoming fuel through the sediment bowl, it wouldn't affect the pumping aspect. If the pump's not pumping, it's a valve or diaphragm issue most likely. Or blocked lines....

 

I've heard that a place called "Then and Now" rebuilds both old and new pumps and has a good reputation....

Edited September 26, 2023 by John-T-53

[Los_Control]

I'm going to guess the ball acts as a check ball ... so fuel can flow one direction as needed but not the opposite direction. So I'm sure there is a reason for it.

 

The old carter B&B carbs use two check balls and different sizes, for different sized passages. .... It is feasible that in order to create suction it needs the ball to close the passage. The carb as a example just pointing out it was a common thing at the time .... probably transmissions also.

 

Seems having the correct size ball is equally important. .... When I rebuilt my carb I accidentally put the small ball in the large hole. I knew it was wrong and try to get it back out. It actually lodged itself in the passage. I had to turn the carb upside down then heat it with a butane torch to get it out. .... Correct size is important.

 

I have heard from a youtube video that these ball bearings can be found at Ace hardware. Around here they have a really large selection of  "help me" stuff in the bolt section.

Seems like a possibility for a replacement, also tractor supply has a fair selection. .... possible you can bring your part & try several different sizes to find one that fits.

 

21 hours ago, Jocko_51_B3B said:

 I'm wondering if that loose or missing bearing in the Chinese pump could cause the pump to stop working altogether.

I'm going to guess yes. If it is to small it may not seal the passage ..... But where did it go? ..... Is it possible it is stuck in the passage?

If so I doubt the pump would work even with correct ball. .... Will the ball from your old fit in the new?

 

Something that I think is interesting. ..... I bought a pump from Napa in 2018 when I bought my truck. Think it was $35-$45 .... I never even tried to start my truck with the old pump I just replaced it. ..... Threw the old one in the box & put it on the shelf ..... I pulled it out to see where it was built. The box simply says engineered by Carter.

So we know they did not build it.

 

What I find interesting though, seems the pump itself was replaced and they used the original top. I have never heard of anyone doing this before .... no idea why they would.

Is it possible to combine your new pump with your old one and make it work? ..... Clearly the top & bottom do not match in age.