Ocean30

Still wasn’t lifting enough fuel to the filter, if any. Engine would run then die as it was being starved of fuel. It had been primed by hand when we had it going then as stated. Would die out.

Both pumps only had a two hole gasket? One had a pad the other not. I will need to get back on and investigate more closely.

Two photos. The old pump had a different face as you can see, the one with the two gaskets. The new one with the red gasket was fitted.

I stuck a screwdriver (lightly) against the lobe and turned over. Very small amount of movement. No extra shell fitted.

So it’s not my engine. We have tried two separate pumps and there doesn’t appear to be any contact with the lobe and the arm on the lift pump. Fitting it up isn’t an issue. I’ve done these before. We turned the engine over whilst holding the lift pump flush with the block by hand and there was absolutely no resistance, as if the lobe is making no contact at all. Stuck a camera in the hole last night and everything is good in terms of lobe. No extra shell. I believe the lobe has excessive wear thus no lift of fuel. I’ve checked the lift pump and it appears like the correct one. Although I’m assuming there was only 1 design? I think we are going to bypass and fit in an electric pump that is self priming. This poor chap hasn’t been able to use his boat for a year as he has not been able to get to the bottom of it all! And to top it off he’s wife has been diagnosed with cancer☹️.

Cheers Tony. I wondered if someone had the crank shaft out once and welded a shim to the original lobe that would have been cast. It’s really weird for sure. I’ll get hi to order an electric pump and blank off. Might stick a camera in the hole to see more. Will keep you posted.

Ok here we go! So a friends 1.8 BMC had a run away incident due to pump seal failure and subsequent diesel in the oil. A common story, however….we replaced with a re furb pump and got it up and running before it would just die again. So, checked for air and no air. Changed filters etc and came back to the lift pump which was also replaced. Now this is the interesting bit. It seems like the lift pump is not pushing through fuel. As if the lever is not being activated by the cam lobe on the cam shaft. It has been healed in correctly so I know this is not the issue: when I placed my finger on the lobe on the camshaft and felt about I could feel a piece of metal spinning freely on the cam lobe. We turned over the engine and found that there was little movement on the lobe. I then held the pump in place with my hand and got the engine turned over. No resistance or pressure pushing the pump towards my hand. my hypothesis is that during runaway the Cam lobe on the camshaft has somehow failed and has become in effective? Thoughts? My friend is now considering blanking off fuel pump and fitting a in line electric pump. anyone fine this and any recommendations? Thanks for your help as always. Simon

I feel I’ve gone full circle all the way back to the pump. I had a good discussion with a local diesel pump refurbisher who when overhauling the bmc pumps replaces the bushing in which the main drive shaft sits. He has such good knowledge of the pumps. We looked at the newly refurbished pump from Calcutt and agreed that the o ring had gone on the guide dog causing diesel to leak through the centre of the shaft. I thought I would have a look at what had happened out of curiosity to the refurbed pump, I had assumed that the o ring would have been replaced. Well I was wrong. Obviously got missed. Found a brittle perished o ring that I’ve now replaced. Probably missed on the overhaul. Chuffed that I found it. so I’m back to another pump being fitted and hoping that the case can now be closed. Now where have I said that before…..😳😂

It is a 1.8 Tony?

Thanks Tracy i think I’ll definitely need both the part that the pump mounts on to as well as the diesel timing cog. I’m guessing both parts will where out together? I’ll service behind there as well. Looks like I’ll be missing the enjoyment of boating for a while 😢

I know I keep going on but…… I stuck my finger in the master spline shaft hole and found considerable forward and aft movement where the tip of the diesel pump locates. Further more it looked like it wasn’t sitting central. As I rotated the engine it would become tighter before becoming slack again. My hunch is it’s so worn it’s been rattling the life out of the master spline shaft in the diesel pump causing the seals to go. Given that I’ve gone through a couple of pumps this can be the only part left that would be causing it having replaced the lift pump twice. I’m going to have the timing chain cover off for a proper inspection before I do anything else. Feeling a bit more confident that mil might be on the home straight.

It was a refurbished pump by Calcutt. I guess there’s no harm in sticking it in if I can get one? I’ve literally run out of reasons as to why this has happened. Keeps happening!

I was thinking that if the guide dog, part 45 was turning then the fuel could be leaking at this point any actually the seals?

So…….I know I’ve been on this for sometime but I think this could be the issue? when I removed the pump initially there was no torsion bar key. Thus I didn’t assume to refit one. Could this be the reason why I’m getting fuel in the sump? Exceed play in the shaft? Tony, thoughts.

Glad I’m diesel 😳

Now that is different! Such old engines though! I’m going to replace the timing chain and check for wear when she comes out for an overhaul at the end of the summer. I think the exhaust gasket is also blowing as she sounds a bit raspy and oil can be seen to be leaking. Tender loving care…..Or a new engine. Not quite sure yet. Keeps me occupied although so does working full time and raising a family 😂

No it doesn’t sound bad. I removed the lift pump a couple of days ago and replaced. Upon inspection of the old lift pump, which was new this year, I discovered one of the housing retaining screws had nearly totally undone itself. On the priming pump lever. I did do some serious priming when I refitted the new pump. Maybe worked it lose. I then checked the rest of the screws to find they were all quite slack. I wonder if this was allowing some diesel in? Chap from Calcutt boats suggested that if the tank is higher than the lift pump then the fuel can slowly drain in without you knowing much about it, even if the boat isn’t running. I’ve refilled with fresh oil tonight and taken her out for 30 minutes and oil level was unchanged. Gave her a bit of a work out. Oil pressure at 46 psi. So, I’m hoping and preying I fell foul of a poorly torqued fuel lift pump. Ive ensured the screws on the new pump are tight prior to fitting. I do hope I can finally close the chapter on this bloody saga! Please say a little prayer for me……😂🤦🏻🤯 Thanks for being patient. I hope what I’ve learnt can help others out.

I have a hypothesis. Could the Pump timing cog be worn causing excessive movement in the pump shaft when under load. Having seen the assembly stripped dow this seems a possible cause. Maybe I’m clutching at straws. Thoughts?

Me neither it is very strange. I shall endeavour to seek an answer.

I know Tony but I stuck I new one on so was ruling out it could’ve failed so soon? Replace it again? I suppose I could. Any experience of the lift pumps failing so soon? I certainly don’t want to be changing the pump for the 50th time😂. I was wondering if another interaction could cause the shaft seals to leak?

Feeling flummoxed. So new pump has been working beautifully. Did over 50 miles without issue. Went out yesterday and noted a slight drop of oil pressure to 30 psi on tick over. Checked the sump oil and guess what. It’s gone up a little. I’m a bit stumped now as to why this is happening time and time again. The fuel pump was changed for a new one. I noted it happened when I pushed the boat a bit harder. Not over working her though. Maybe I just have to periodically change the oil after 30 hours of cruising? If anyone else can enlighten me as to why this should be happening I would be most grateful! I’m going to take some oil out tonight and top it up with some fresh stuff. Then see what happens. depressing indeed 😳

Blimey that’s a lot! The bio fuels are hard on the rubbers. I remember making some and when my pump went on my Escort it spilled diesel on the wishbones. Turned it to jelly. I used to be able to make 100 litres at a time for around 15p a litre. They were happy times. Given it up now.

Thanks John checked seals and seemed good. Unlike the circlip to the back of the pump. After many visits to mechanical parts I sourced a couple of good clips. Re-fitted and stuck pump back on. fitted new seals and smeared with oil. Now I’m tolerant, but I can only tolerate so much… Now pissing diesel out of the back of the pump. I know the culprit. A rubber o ring that slots between the body and outer shell. Thought it would be fine but no. Maybe I nipped it up? pump off. I have another one coming by Friday. I’ll fit the re furb and fingers crossed. I’ll see to the old one and service as much of it as I can. spent hours sorting this. Although pump removal time is now 30 minutes. At least I have a some records to aim for 😤😢😂

My plan has recently unravelled slightly. Having switched out the pump shown on this thread for the reconditioned one from Calcutt I was plagued with poor starting, rough idle, loss of power and stalling. Try as I might I could not get her running well. I believe the problem to the governor housing and throttle shaft. If the throttle lever was just slightly pushed up it would rev higher and down would almost cut out. Not forward and aft. possibly the two o rings in the throttle assembly leaking air? Although no leaks. so I swapped out the pump to the old one that I’d done and bled her. She started on the key and run as smooth as you like…….then I saw the oil pressure had dropped off a little having fun the boat for 5 hours. Checked sump oil and notice a slight increase again. Most depressing. To note this had not been an issue with the refurb pump re oil increase. So I’m going to have to send the refurb back and whip off the old pump and investigate. Ordered some Delphi seals so will replace the ones I put in and check for any defects. could be the pump shaft retaining circlip causing too much movement? On a positive, although don’t want to be doing in that often, I can now remove the pump in 40 minutes. Fingers crossed I can repair before half term so we can have some nights on her. Bloody boats. 😉