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scandtours
10-01-2010, 04:56 AM
Last Sunday a Bensen with a 582 made a dead stick landing due to engine fuel “starvation...”
It was flying four hundred ft high, coming down for landing from a long distance trip. Few hundred meter away from the airfield the engine stopped and the pilot made a perfect landing in the field.
After closd inspections both carbs and fuel lines were dry (tank still had10 lts of fuel.)
The fuel pump was three years old, the diaphragms never been replaced since new and it has unknown op hours.
The pilot received a new pump long time ago, but I don’t know why, he did not replace it. He just waited to be happened maybe…
Replacing the diaphragms (fuel pump rebuild kit) the engine run like a watch again.
How often do you replace you fuel pump diaphragms? If I remember correct Rotax says once every year and/or before a certain amount of hours of op.
I am happy I must say that, I never let students to fly the circle solo unless they can control engine out landings. Sooner or later, dead stick landings will happen.

Earthboundmisft
10-01-2010, 05:03 AM
Back-up electric pump ??? :noidea:

scottessex
10-01-2010, 05:08 AM
It should be changed every year, but I would at least not let it go over 2 years without replacement, and yes a back up electric pump is a fine idea!
Remember, pumps PUSH fuel, they do not pull fuel uphill as well as they push it.

scandtours
10-02-2010, 12:12 AM
Does a Fuel Pressure Gauge hep?
From my exp. No. It does not warn if the Mikuni fuel pump is in good condition or not. It can show 5psi and seconds later the engine stops due to fuel.
Fully agree a back up electric pump is a fine idea.

Resasi
10-02-2010, 12:26 AM
Scott re the diaphragm replacement.

It sounds as though that might be an age deterioration rather than a usage or cycle/usage.

What material is it made from?

Rehan K.Janjua
10-02-2010, 09:08 AM
Specially if one uses E 10 ethnol fuel.

E 10 fuel will harden a new diaphram in 3 months time.

Older premix fuel 100 octane leaded was great for these pumps
and have seen and flow with 10 years old pumps.