I need a 12v priming pump for diesel

[MarioG]

Well I need a 12v priming pump for the engines. I have a pair of Flojets but they are for water being used for diesel (PO!). Of course, they are starting to leak and the starboard is starting to loose prime. what would be a good replacement? the local auto parts store sells 12v transfer pumps for diesel fuel for around $80 bucks. Is there a problem with usuing a transfer pump? I could also go for a chemical pump that is approved for fuel for a little more. I just don't see the difference is useage of these pumps verses the expensive Orberdorfers (sp) pumps.

whats wrong with my logic?

 

[Will]

Here are pumps approved for marine use.
http://www.go2marine.com/product.do?no=160837F
Will

 

[MikeP]

I really liked the Walbro 6000 series and that's what I used for my priming pumps but they have been discontinued. Much as I hate to say it, it's probably because the current ones are cheaper to make - at least they appear to be.

But Walbro has a good reputation so...

OTOH, any positive displacement fuel pump suitable for diesel would work fine. I don't remember if ignition-protected is a "requirement" for marine diesel engine rooms but it would be worth checking if you are concerned that everything be IAW USCG requirements.

 

[No Hurry]

I'm gonna show my ignorance here, but do most diesel engine's need priming pumps? On my 6BTA's. I've always filled my filters with fuel when changing filters and has always fired off. Am I just lucky? Do you guys lose prime frequently?

 

[doc g]

Mario, This is what I just replaced one of my old Walbro's with. The fittings are the same the bracket will mount up to the old Walbro mount. Cheap too!!! ,here's the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CART...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Pat

 

[buzzk]

If you have Racor Filters they make a pump that attaches to their filter. Not sure of the price but I have seen the installation and it is nice. Buzz

 

[MikeP]

I never needed priming pumps...until once I lost prime after changing filters at anchor on one engine. We didn't lose prime until after we had left the anchorage and were enroute. Then one engine quit. Water was a bit rough so spent a miserable time in the engine room with a small hand pump trying to get the engine primed. This included having the fitting pop off the end of the hand pump and spray me and the engine room with diesel. As the diesel blew in to my eyes/mouth/clothes/engine room I realized that I needed priming pumps - even if it never happened again.

IMHO It's also a better/easier way to do filter changes because you never need to fool with pouring fuel into a filter and possibly contaminating the filter with impurities that are not going to get filtered. You just change the filter(s) and turn a couple of valves and turn on the pump. No mess, faster, cleaner, and IMHO, worth every penny of the cost of the pumps and a few valves.