airtex fuel pump failure

dougrs · April 23, 2014, 07:08:57 AM

Hey,

Last year I replaced my stock fuel pump (it still worked) with the recommended airtex model when I was working on my carbs. As I was getting my bike ready this spring I discovered that the airtex pump had failed, which is pretty disappointing since it didn't even make a year. I am pretty sure it failed last fall as I was having running issues at highway speeds, but not around town, I now suspect this is from the bike operating without a functioning fuel pump. Anyway, I re-installed my stock pump and re-did all the fuel line routing...I'll be looking for a different replacement pump as a backup now.

andyb · April 23, 2014, 07:56:41 AM

OEM R6 pump from the early (carb'd) years will work, but the outlets are mildly different. IIRC that also holds true for 1st gen R1 pumps.

dougrs · April 23, 2014, 08:17:03 AM

Quote from: andyb on April 23, 2014, 07:56:41 AM
OEM R6 pump from the early (carb'd) years will work, but the outlets are mildly different. IIRC that also holds true for 1st gen R1 pumps.

Thanks. I have found good info on potential replacments searching the forum. Just need to find something in good shape for a decent price.

johnnyalpha · April 23, 2014, 08:58:20 AM

Will the bike run if the pump fails out on the road and you simply joined up the two ends of the fuel line with a connector ?
I carry one of these wee plastic hose connectors on the bike, for just this scenario, am I wasting my time ?
Johnny Edinburgh

racerrad8 · April 23, 2014, 09:01:58 AM

Yep, the bypass line is required item to carry on fuel pump FJ's.

Randy -RPM

movenon · April 23, 2014, 09:04:37 AM

Sorry about your fuel pump problem. Just for information I would avoid an Airtex pumps in general for the FJ. I don't think they have the appropriate check valves in them. I had a conversation with one of there tech reps a while back and was told that none of there solenoid pumps have a check valve to prevent fuel from flowing with the power off. Please let us know what you replace your pump with.
George,

Here is a copy of one of there e mails.

"Good morning. The E8016S & all of our solenoid style pumps do not contain a check valve & will allow fuel to flow thru the pump. We do however offer an in line check valve, CV8000, that could be used for this purpose.

If there is anything else I can help you with please feel free to call or email me.

Thanks Shane"

On the bypass, to get a short distance yes you can but if you have to go very far tap in before the fuel filter. The filter is restrictive and we don't have much head pressure. I carry a 3 foot section of coiled hose with 2 barb fittings. I might add a small shut off valve to the mix.

Arnie · April 23, 2014, 10:20:20 AM

Here's a 12V pump that should work. I have NOT tried it, and cannot vouch for its quality, but I have bought many other items from this seller and been satisfied with the purchases. Its cheap enough to get one as an emergency spare to carry after you test to make sure it works.

http://www.banggood.com/12V-Electric-Fuel-Pump-Diesel-Petrol-12-Volt-p-919121.html

ribbert · April 23, 2014, 10:29:24 AM

Quote from: Arnie on April 23, 2014, 10:20:20 AM
Here's a 12V pump that should work. I have NOT tried it, and cannot vouch for its quality, but I have bought many other items from this seller and been satisfied with the purchases. Its cheap enough to get one as an emergency spare to carry after you test to make sure it works.

http://www.banggood.com/12V-Electric-Fuel-Pump-Diesel-Petrol-12-Volt-p-919121.html

Yep, I do the same, carry a cheap pump.

On trips I also take a spare coil and ignition box. I figure these are the only two items you can't jury rig on the side of the road.
Noel

dougrs · April 23, 2014, 01:15:56 PM

Quote from: movenon on April 23, 2014, 09:04:37 AM
Sorry about your fuel pump problem. Just for information I would avoid an Airtex pumps in general for the FJ. I don't think they have the appropriate check valves in them. I had a conversation with one of there tech reps a while back and was told that none of there solenoid pumps have a check valve to prevent fuel from flowing with the power off. Please let us know what you replace your pump with.
George,

Here is a copy of one of there e mails.

"Good morning. The E8016S & all of our solenoid style pumps do not contain a check valve & will allow fuel to flow thru the pump. We do however offer an in line check valve, CV8000, that could be used for this purpose.

If there is anything else I can help you with please feel free to call or email me.

Thanks Shane"

On the bypass, to get a short distance yes you can but if you have to go very far tap in before the fuel filter. The filter is restrictive and we don't have much head pressure. I carry a 3 foot section of coiled hose with 2 barb fittings. I might add a small shut off valve to the mix.

It would seem that the airtex does not have a check valve as my bike would run with a failed pump. Thanks for the info.

movenon · April 23, 2014, 01:58:29 PM

Without a check valve the only thing stopping your tank from going empty on the ground was your needle and seats.. When shopping for a pump asking about a check valve be aware there are 2 types of check valves. One that prevents fuel flow if the fuel tank is above the pump and the other checks the fuel from draining back into the fuel tank (as in a car).

One pump that meets that spec. is a Facet 40171. http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/eppages/facetpumps.php

That is what I am running. I can't tell you the reliability yet. So far so good, other motorcycles have been using them. I figure for the cost I can have an extra one around. NAPA also get that pump but of coarse the price jumps up.

The mounting is different so be aware of that also.

Hope this helps.
George

Yamifj1200 · April 23, 2014, 03:05:58 PM

I had two of the Airtex pumps fail on me. I don't recommend them at all. I went back to a new stock pump for my 91 and have picked up a spare on Ebay to keep with me on the road. From what I can figure out its the points (switch) that wears out on the stock pump. Randy used to sell them IIRC. After replacing two of the Airtex pumps I'd never run another one. It's just not worth the effort for me.

Eric M

Mike Ramos · April 23, 2014, 03:57:32 PM

Howdy,

On the '91 I did replace the points and it ran well for many additional miles but the internals eventually failed. I then installed the fuel pump from RPM and when I acquired the '92 I switched over the same fuel pump from one bike to the other. Between the two FJ's there must be over 100,000 miles on the pump with no issues whatsoever.

Bolts in using the same mounting bracket and I think the same wiring as well.

Addressing safety concerns: most importantly, the fuel pressure is correct for the carburetors as are the internal valves to ensure positive fuel shut off.

Ride safe,

Midget.

Pat Conlon · April 23, 2014, 04:47:34 PM

Reliability?
The Facet pumps being recommended by the aircraft industry speaks volumes to me.

racerrad8 · April 23, 2014, 05:17:37 PM

George, I cannot count the amount of Airtex fuel pumps I have sold for both the race car and FJ applications and to my knowledge, I have only had one returned "defective" when I say that it means it was full of rust.

The other fact is the pump might not have check valve as you know it, but the plunger is spring loaded and when there is no power applied to the coil then it seals stopping fuel flow.

Eric sorry to hear of your troubles as well, did you get either of your pumps from me?

I do use, recommend and sell the Airtex pump based on my success as well as bunch of others success' with the pump. I will also stand behind any Airtex pump I sell.

Randy - RPM

Yamifj1200 · April 23, 2014, 06:36:05 PM

"Eric sorry to hear of your troubles as well, did you get either of your pumps from me?"

Randy, I bought the two Airtex pumps I used from a local Advance auto. They were the same model you sell and included the new filter. I installed them in the original location and powered them off of the factory wiring. I don't think either one of them lasted more than a year. When I removed each of them I tried to see what went wrong. I connected each to a 12 volt bike battery and not either one of them would pump at all.
The original stock fuel pump lasted 70,000 miles and the airtex pumps went south in less than 10,000 miles. That's why I went back to the stock pump, I think the last new one I picked up on Ebay for around 90.00 dollars delivered and the spare was 75.00 or so. Now I ride with a spare on board just in case.. HTH

Eric M

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