Any tips on installing fittings on a new fuel pump?

[Wheel-N-It 2,971]

I just purchased a new fuel pump for a K-301. It is of course plastic, the inlet and outlet fittings press in and use an O-ring.

I have never installed these kinds of fittings before. Do you guys have any tips on installing them so they go on easy and will not leak??? Thank you,

Van

BTW, I bought it at NAPA $38.50

[rmaynard 15,931]

I followed the instructions that came with the pump and had no problems. What kind of problem are you having?

[Wheel-N-It 2,971]

No problem yet Bob. It's still in the box, waiting on this weekend to be installed. I just thought I would ask if anyone had some good tips they could offer. I'm always open for good advice.

:)

[Duff 206]

Like Bob says, the directions that came with it are pretty good. I changed the pump on one of my M-12's which also came as plastic with the newfangled fittings you describe. They look worse to deal with than they are!

Duff :thumbs:

[Kevbo 80]

I'm awaiting my "plastic" fuel pump for my C-101 as well! I'm hoping it works just as well as the metal kind.

[tunahead72 2,518]

Be patient, take your time. It is just plastic, so don't force it. Like Bob and Duff have already said, the instructions are pretty good -- if you didn't get them with your new pump, say something here and I'll send you a copy of mine.

The only problem I had with mine was that I cut one of my fuel lines a little too long, and eventually it stressed the outlet fitting enough that fuel started leaking there. It was easy enough to fix, and it's been working well for over two years since then.

That all being said, I still don't trust the plastic pumps. :)

[Wheel-N-It 2,971]

I do need to read the directions, but one thing I noticed was there is a big C-clip in the bag with the O-ring gasket. I think it is to be used with the installation of the fittings. How the heck would you use that C-clip for anything?

Maybe I should have read the instructions first before I said anything here, but I'm too deep in this thread now. Thanks for understanding. I'm really not as dumb as it seems by what I am writing. But I saw that big C-clip and I thought; "What the Heck???"

:eusa-think:

[tunahead72 2,518]

The C-clip is referred to as a retaining ring in the instructions, and it's used to depress a couple of tabs in the pump housing when you're installing or removing the fittings. It'll make more sense when you have the instructions and the pump in front of you.

Let's see, this metal retaining ring is used to depress plastic tabs in a plastic housing, so you can install or remove plastic fittings. I'm amazed these things don't leak right from the very start. :disgust:

[Wheel-N-It 2,971]

OK, I think I can install the fittings now without destroying something in the process . Thank you everyody for the help! What I don't understand is why someone would ever design fuel fittings like this. Talk about re-inventing the wheel!!! What was so wrong with standard old threaded fittings??? With the old design, you hold the fuel pump in one hand, and thread the fitting in the fuel pump with the other hand.

I swear, sometimes the more I know, the less I understand............................................................... :scratchead:

[tunahead72 2,518]

What I don't understand is why someone would ever design fuel fittings like this. Talk about re-inventing the wheel!!! What was so wrong with standard old threaded fittings??? With the old design, you hold the fuel pump in one hand, and thread the fitting in the fuel pump with the other hand.

I swear, sometimes the more I know, the less I understand...............................................................

I hear you loud and clear.

Hope your installation goes well this weekend, you'll probably be fine. :handgestures-thumbup:

[squonk 42,584]

Be patient, take your time. It is just plastic, so don't force it. Like Bob and Duff have already said, the instructions are pretty good -- if you didn't get them with your new pump, say something here and I'll send you a copy of mine.

The only problem I had with mine was that I cut one of my fuel lines a little too long, and eventually it stressed the outlet fitting enough that fuel started leaking there. It was easy enough to fix, and it's been working well for over two years since then.

That all being said, I still don't trust the plastic pumps.

Me either. A nice plastic thingy holding /pumping flammable liquid right next to a hot muffler! :jaw:

[Anglo Traction 761]

Just a thought on these Plastic Pumps, is there likely to be any issue with Ethanol levels in Fuel to affect them?. I'm still on All Metal ones in UK and our Ethanol levels are only 5% currently.

[Kevbo 80]

Got my new "plastic" fuel pump in the mail today and just got it in my C-101. The fittings were a little difficult at first to figure out how to get them, but once I put a drop of oil on the O-rings and applied steady pressure with my hand, they snapped in nicely. Just make sure the plastic teeth are aligned correclty and you have it turned to the direction that you like.

Here is mine:

[Wheel-N-It 2,971]

OK, thank you everybody. I got the fittings in just fine. I did not have to use the C-clip to engage the fuel fitting retainers. I have a nice pair of large needle nose type pliers that have an inward curve at the end of the jaws that are designed for pulling spark plug boots. The tips of the plier jaws fit perfectly in the retainer tabs and allowed me to easily install the fuel fittings without any difficulty.

After installing the pump and trying to start the engine than another problem developed. (This is in the C-125 Blackhood I bought back before Christmas). When engaging the starter, fuel would run out of the front of the carb. So I thought the needle was stuck open, and I removed the carb to check. When I removed the float bowl, I discovered the needle was missing between the float and the needle seat. I guess the old fuel pump was delivering so little fuel, the carb was taking in whatever the pump delivered.

Anyway, I grabbed a needle from a spare Walbro 12hp carb I have and put it in. Tomorrow I will cut a new mounting gasket, install the carb and see what happens. I don't forsee any further problems but................. :dunno:

Edited January 27, 2013 by Wheel-N-It