Is there a way to get past the problem with the weak fuel pump on Beta engines?
I am looking to change my old MD11 with something else and is quite fond of the Beta engines. I am, however, not interested in adding another component as an electric pump wich might or might not work in the environment aboard.
My boat is an Allegro 33 with a deep keel wich the fuel tank is housed.
Bottom of tank is about 4 feet below the engine bed.
As I look at the Mitsubishi-based engines they all seem to have pumps that can handle this.
The fact of the matter is that the lift pump will do the job but we tend to be conservative in our claims. I would rather do this than make claims that are exagerated. The lift pumps on small Japanese diesels, Kubota, Mitsubishi, Shibaru, Isuzu and Yanmar are all made by one of two different manufacturers and you are likely to have the same issue with all of the engine manufacturers, immaterial of the claims made by a salesman or sales brochure. The old Volvo diesels had excellent lift pumps as did the Farymann diesels. The same can't be said for the latest offerings.
All of these small lift pumps push much better than they suck but are fitted directly to the engine. This is because most of these small diesels get used on equipment that has the fuel tank fitted to the particular machine. These are generating sets, light towers, Bobcats, tractors, welding machines, etc. In these machines the lift pump just has to move the fuel a foot or two. If you dont want to add an electric pump which will work best when installed as close to the tank as possible (remember that these also push much better than they suck), I suggest carrying a spare mechanical lift pump to make sure that you dont have any issues.
If you look at the Westerbeke offerings, (they marinise both Kubota and Mitsubishi), they dont use the engine manufacturers lift pump at all. All of their engines have a blanking plate where the lift pump is usually fitted and their engines are fitted with an electric fuel pump.
I hope that this helps to clarify the issue. Stanley
