fuel pump

Freds · Jan 25, 2005

Not sure where to post this, but this looks like a good spot...

I have a 150g diesel fuel tank. The guy I got it from told me to go to NAPA to get the pump for it. The only one NAPA had was around $50 so that's the one I ended up with. It only pumps fuel on the downstroke, but I can live with that.
I position the handle when not in use like the directions say, but the second to last time I used it, it acted frozen. It made a cracking sound, but then pumped fine. Now it barely works at all. I might get a shotglass of fuel per stroke if that. There is anti gel in the tank and nothing looks wrong with the fuel, but the pump is either a piece of garbage, doesn't like cold temps or both.

Any recommendations on another hand pump? TSC has one for $150 that cranks, but it has the hose and things I don't need. I'm surprised Farmtek doesn't sell them /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif. I don't really care if I order it or find one locally and am curious as to what went wrong with the first one.

Thanks.

oliver28472 · Jan 25, 2005

I just use an old oil barrel pump. Has the T-handle you pull straight up. Slipped a piece of garden hose on the spout and use a spare 5 gallon bucket with lid to stick the hose in and catch the drips. Had the pump laying around so it was free. I am happy enough with it. Don't know what a new one would cost but it would probably be cheaper than $50.00.

Freds · Jan 25, 2005

Thanks for the reply, but being from NC I'm not sure you get the cold temps I experience. I'm not sure if yours would work any different.
It's actually quite warm today. It was 27F last time I heard. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Maybe I'll give mine another try and see if the warm spell helped it out.

oliver28472 · Jan 25, 2005

We were in the low 30s this morning but yesterday it was 15. Have not tried it when cold. The NAPA number for a pump that looks like mine is BK8073003 on their website. Mine is old and pretty loose. I think it would work fine at low temps especially for diesel. Per their specs, it pumps 1.75 pints per stroke which is fine for me. You have a bigger tractor and may want something faster.

MadDog · Jan 25, 2005

Freds: I have a "lever action hand pump" from TSC that cost about $32. Item #3957824. I use it on a 30Gal. poly tank w/a length of yellow poly hose. It gets pretty cold where I am. Most recently refueled a couple of weeks ago when it was around freezing. It has worked fine.

Hope this helps.

Freds · Jan 25, 2005

Here's the scoop and it ain't pretty.

I found a local petroleum products company close to where I live that sold pumps. I went in to buy one and some of the things he was showing me with water skirts and threading this into that, so I could use up my old parts (inlet tube, hose) wasn't ringing a bell. I described my current pump to him, he went in the back and brought one out just like it. Turns out NAPA had sold me a drum pump not intended for outdoor use. He said along with the pump having moisture in it and being frozen, that it probably allowed water to get into my diesel tank as well. Nice. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
NAPA's going to hear from me as soon as I dig up my receipt and put on the new pump.

It's supposed to warm up a little this weekend and hopefully any water in the tank will collect on the bottom so I can pump it out. With the correct pump.

MadDog · Jan 25, 2005

Good luck with it. Pending completion of my barn, I have been keeping my diesel tank in my woodworking shop (once was a garage, but cars have never lived in it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif ) and it doesn't get below about 50F in there.

But when I finish the barn, the fueling station goes in there and the pump better keep working.

oliver28472 · Jan 25, 2005

That hurts. My drum is a 30 gallon plastic that sits in the barn. Good luck at NAPA.

Freds · Jan 26, 2005

Thanks guys.
I don't really expect to have any luck with NAPA, but I intend to let them know their mistake and not sell a drum pump again for outside diesel tank use.