Lift pump update-Dmax van setup and beyond!

[turbovanman]

Well, a little over a year ago, I installed the Dmax van setup, it worked awesome, nice compact setup-the first container held the pump and a 10 micron prefilter, the 2nd was the regular Dmax filter, 2 micron. My only beef was it was a bitch to prime after filter changes, I also didn't get chance to hook up my fuel pressure gauge full time but initial testing had me around 15 psi at idle.
A week or so ago, my van was loosing power, surging and it kept dying. I could hear it making strange noises so I finally installed the fuel pressure gauge and yep, dead. I bought an Airtex rotary pump. My witch's brews killed it. Can't complain, the price was right. If I only ran diesel, it would still be alive."

AIRTEX E84070 Universal Rotary Vane Electric Fuel Pump 72 GPH 8 PSI " Bad luck to me, it was DOA. I searched my local CL and found a Carter rotary pump, rated at 18 psi and 100 gph. Overkill yes but I have 2 filter setups and in all the threads I found, no one ever got the rated 18 psi out of it. Worse case, I have to install a regulator. I redid the Dmax setup keeping the pump inside as the CP3 can pull the fuel thru it. I'll update after the Carter is installed.

 

[turbovanman]

So installed the Carter, worked for a bit then it too died. Thought maybe the Dmax fuel pump and filter setup is too hard to pull fuel thru so bought another prefilter setup, 25 micron, installed, no go. Took the Carter top off and found nothing, but it turns sooooooo slowly, WTF? Put it down on the counter and came back a few minutes later and oil was flowing out? I guess its leaking down into the motor, not sure if that's normal. So I grab the Airtex and retest as I drained it last night, sure enough, it works. Shut it off and tried again, yep, you guessed it, dead. Going to phone Carter tomorrow and see what's going on.

Also, rewired my setup, found a nice 2 relay junction box from a wrecked MKIV Jetta in my complex.

 

[6.5L]

Interesting

 

[turbovanman]

Called Carter, they use the fuel to cool the motor so either my fuel is too thick, which it can't be as its close to diesel, I measured it or the oil is conductive? I am going to retry with Jet A and see what happens. This also scares me as if I make a batch too thick, then it will cause me issues as the pump will die until I drain it. I have a BG220 pump here, might end up using that.

 

[Will L.]

Back when I was a tool guy and had my tool truck running 9 hrs a day, I went through 1 of these about every 3 months. After the 3rd one carter sent me a "spare" for free and a letter telling the parts store to keep warranting them for 2 yrs from purchase date instead of 1 since they burned out so quick and they didn't want to refund my $. At 2 1/2 years into it - no more warranty and I never went back to carter.

 

[Will L.]

Back when I was a tool guy and had my tool truck running 9 hrs a day, I went through 1 of these about every 3 months. After the 3rd one carter sent me a "spare" for free and a letter telling the parts store to keep warranting them for 2 yrs from purchase date instead of 1 since they burned out so quick and they didn't want to refund my $. At 2 1/2 years into it - no more warranty and I never went back to carter.

 

[turbovanman]

So what to use? I hear conflicting reports on the Walbro FRB-5 as well?

 

[Will L.]

Idk why double post...anyways- I haven't heard that many people say walbro dying. Eventually yeah, but 4-5 years is what I would expect.

 

[turbovanman]

I'd like to get more than 5 minutes out of it. Anyhow, probably going with an BG or Aeromotive pump.

 

[turbovanman]

Bought an Aeromotive pump #11209, its regulated to 7 psi and puts out 90 gph

 

[JayTheCPA]

I haven't heard that many people say walbro dying.

Only recall reading about one person whom abused the Walbro to an early death. IIRC, he admitted that it was probably not the pump's fault as it had to do extra duty due to a crimped fuel line.

 

[turbovanman]

Got the Am pump in, solid 5 psi at idle and cruising, dropped to 2.5 psi at WOT in 3rd gear, 13 psi of boost. The pump was effing loud, so I spent the day re-doing the stock shitty bracket. Ended up making an L brace and using rubber bushings to support it. That really helped, but still to much, so I tried the Dmax prefilter setup, that did the trick. Figured if a CP3 can pull fuel thru it, then a fuel pump should have no problems.

 

[Will L.]

2.5 at wot should keep her happy. What about an insulation wrap on the pump? idk if the electric motor would heat it up, or the cold fuel would keep temps down, but a wrap would help the noise more.

 

[turbovanman]

It gets warm but now, its totally liveable. Didn't get to drive it home but it was fine around the shop. 5 psi seems low to me but I can't complain I guess.

 

[turbovanman]

Ok, so after redoing and it adding the Dmax prefilter, idle pressure went up to 5.5 psi and WOT is up to 4.5 psi.

But its still too noisey for my liking,

 

[turbovanman]

Had some pressure issues again, I was only getting .5 psi, if that while driving, thinking WTF now. Traced it to a plugged up prefilter, I got some contaminated Jet fuel so it must have plugged it up.

 

[turbovanman]

Working great, 5.5 psi at idle and dipped to 4.5 psi at a 2nd gear WOT run. I also loosened off the pump bracket and its almost bearable now.