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I am replacing an old 912 ULS with a brand new one. On the old engine, low fuel pressure was a continual problem with several electric and mechanical fuel pumps changed. Never was completely solved.
Installed the new engine with everything new except the electric fuel pump. For the first 1/2 hour the fuel pressure was 6#, and then it gradueally declined (mechanical pump). Now the electric pump has declined until I get about 2.5# out of both. The check valve is currently in line with the electric pump, but I noticed in the fuel schematic that Rotax shows the check valve in parallel. Which is correct? Could this be the problem with the low fuel pressure?
Ernie
  • Re: Fuel Pressure Problems

    by » 6 years ago


    Make it a parallel setup. The check valve must be installed so it allows the fuel to bypass the electric pump in case of a failure. Orientation of that valve is key! Assume that the mechanical pumps pulls the fuel from the tank while the electric pump is all chokablock. In that case the fuel flow must go through the check valve which is in parallel to the electric pump.
    If the electric pump works all fine the check valve remains closed and hinders the fuel to go crazy in a circle electric pump, valve, electric pump,....
    I cannot see any benefit of a serial setup.

  • Re: Fuel Pressure Problems

    by » 6 years ago


    If you have a vapour return line to the tank then you may not have the correct size restrictor hence the low pressure.

  • Re: Fuel Pressure Problems

    by » 6 years ago


    This is the current setup. https://www.screencast.com/t/mweCPRAR2bm


    Ernie


  • Re: Fuel Pressure Problems

    by » 6 years ago


    Check valves, fittings and the hose diameter will affect the flow and pressure. You will have friction loss because of the hose and fittings which is a reduced flow at the end.You may also need to increase the electric fuel pump size. I just fixed a Sting with low fuel pressure by going to the next size Facet pump. It had a 3 - 4.5 psi 30 gph and I went to a 4 - 7 psi at 32 gph. His pump setup was in series and max pressure went from 1.5 psi on a hot day to 5.7 psi with both pumps on. Just food for thought.
    Take a look at the Installation Manual 74-00-00 page 4 on the diagram.

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


  • Re: Fuel Pressure Problems

    by » 4 years ago


    Roger, I know this is an old post, but I have a question related to it.  My 912ULS does not have either an electric pump nor the pressure relief "return" line to the header fuel tank.  I'm preparing to add these to my RANS S-6ES, and trying to figure out the simplest way to do so...  It looks like the Facet 40106 pump (32 GPH, 4.0–7.0 PSI, no check valve, no positive shutoff) would be the right pump to use.  My questions are:

    1) What "restrictor" size should I use for the return line?

    2) Given that the Facet 40106 is of a "flow-through" design that does NOT inhibit the free flow of fuel thorugh the pump when it is turned off, would it be acceptable to simply plumb it in-line between the gascolator and the existing engine-driven mechanical fuel pump?  Or would the mechanical pump inhibit fuel flow to the engine if it were to fail?

    3) Are the fuel lines for the 912 ULS 1/4" internal diameter?  

    Also, as an aside, for a high-wing airplane with wing tanks, if the mechanical pump fails, would the engine continue to run as long as there is positive head pressure from the fuel tanks to the carburetors?  (I know this isn't the "best practice", just curious.)

    Thanks!


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