Will glow fuel destroy a gasoline fuel pump?

Will glow fuel destroy a gasoline fuel pump? (Full Version)

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Capt Jim -> Will glow fuel destroy a gasoline fuel pump? (3/23/2003 2:34:00 AM)
My idea is to use an inexpensive 12 volt auto type of gasoline fuel pump for my glow fuel. The repeated failure of the cheap 12 volt glow fuel pumps leads me to this quest. I am aware of gasoline degrading glow pump mechanisms, but can I safely use a gasoline pump for glow fuel without ruining the pump? Thanks for the advise.

Bax -> Will glow fuel destroy a gasoline fuel pump? (3/27/2003 3:32:22 AM)
Jim, The seals in gasoline pumps tend to be damaged by the alcohol in model fuels, so a pump designed for gasoline will fail after a bit. That's why you don't find much more than 10% ethanol in automotive gasoline. Any more and the seals in your car's fuel system will deteriorate. bax

Steve Guinn -> Will glow fuel destroy a gasoline fuel pump? (3/27/2003 5:00:05 AM)
All those cars you see broken down along the road in the spring......alcohol based fuel line antifreeze = busted fuel pump.;)

Steve Guinn -> Will glow fuel destroy a gasoline fuel pump? (3/27/2003 5:03:58 AM)
Oh...you're in FL. Guess you wouldn't see them. :D

Capt Jim -> Thanks for the tips... (3/27/2003 5:05:49 AM)
Having discovered that the hobby variety of 12 volt glow fuel pumps are cheap, short lived, poor quality toys...where can I find a real pump that is small, efficient, long lasting, and will handle our glow fuels without failing in the process.

causeitflies -> Will glow fuel destroy a gasoline fuel pump? (4/9/2003 5:31:37 AM)
Try a windshield washer pump from an automotive store.

Steve Guinn -> Will glow fuel destroy a gasoline fuel pump? (4/9/2003 5:33:18 AM)
Now that is a darn good idea!

Capt Jim -> re: windshield washer pump (4/9/2003 6:00:02 AM)
Is that just a guess, or have you tried it successfully? I thought that the nitro, etc in glow fuel may eat away the seals and cause it to fail prematurely. If it works, and lasts, it'll be the way to go for all of us. Thanks

causeitflies -> Will glow fuel destroy a gasoline fuel pump? (4/9/2003 12:24:38 PM)
My first electric fuel pump was a Sonic-Tronics, Super X I believe, that lasted a year or two and then caused much trouble. After a lot of glue and silicon I finally gave up on it. Someone suggested the washer pump and I bought one. I tryed it out and it worked fine. While I was working out how to mount it to my field box, someone broke into my truck and stole my planes and field box. To make a long story short, I was in the LHS buying the replacement box, panel, starter,etc., and saw the Sonic-Tronics Mark X pump and said "what the heck" and bought it with the rest of the stuff. It was only about $14.00 at the time I think. I planned on using the washer pump as a bakup if/when the Mark X gave up the ghost. Anyway, that was at least ten years ago and the Mark X is still going strong with no problems. Its seen a lot of time but half my flying has been gasoline so its not like I used it for all my flying. So as far as longevity I really can't answer your question but the washer pumps are pretty cheap and the ingredients in washer fluid are similar to that in our glo fuel. I still have that washer pump somewhere in my workshop. Now that's one more thing I'll have to try to find. :)

Capt Jim -> Thats a great story... (4/9/2003 4:48:16 PM)
It appears that Sonic-Tronix is the front runner for glow fuels. I do not know if their popularity is well deserved, or a result of simply no other alternative at most hobby shops. In any case, it has been the Sonic-Tronics pumps that have been failing for me, and others. Your suggestion to try an auto windshied washer pump sounds like a good one, and I suspect that they are inexpensive too. Thanks for the tip, I'll try one soon.

helicool -> This is second hand info but.... (4/10/2003 7:17:35 AM)
This is second hand info but.... :( I have heard that glow does eat up washer pumps also. Although Im not sure how accurate that is considering most washer fluids are alcohol based :confused: :confused: Thats way they dont freeze well in winter. Oh, except when your trying to get to work in a hurry and use the washer fluid to clear your window of ice when its -5F outside. I grew up in Chicago and dont miss the cold!

zusie -> Will glow fuel destroy a gasoline fuel pump? (4/23/2003 9:51:43 PM)
For what it is worth, I just purchased a GASOLINE pump to get started in that end of the engine business and the outfit that offers it claims it can be used for glow fuel as well. Company is Sonic Tronics. (sonictronics.evisionsite.com)

Capt Jim -> I have no faith in SonicTronics or its products (4/30/2003 9:02:54 PM)
SonicTronics is the maker of those pumps that have failed for me in the past. Weeks ago, I sent them a very nice email about the problem, requesting their comments, and they failed to respond. As far as I am concerned, SonicTronics is a supplier of poor quality, and their lack of performance in customer service speaks volumes of their weakness. I started this thread in order to try to locate a supplier of a HIGHER QUALITY pump, that will give good performance, but thanks anyway for your suggestion.

Sport_Pilot -> Pumps that last. (4/30/2003 9:24:57 PM)
My research indicated that the manual Six Shooter and electric Slimline pumps are the only ones that last. The Slimline is a bit pricy, I bought the Six Shooter and so far it lasts well. I considered the washer pump as well. Though winshield washer fluid is less then 50% alcohol I figure it should last a while, there was a Kavan pump that looked exactly like a winshield washer pump, don't know if it is still available.

causeitflies -> Kavan pump (5/1/2003 2:43:09 AM)
I bought the Kavan pump to use as a smoke fluid pump. It looks like a completely sealed pump and some guys use it for gasoline. It is a strong pumper but I have only used it a couple of times for smoke and one time to defuel gas from a snowblower that developed a leak in the tank. Anyway, I bought a Sullivan smoke pump at Toledo thinking maybe I could use the Kavan for gas. Bad news as the Kavan has started leaking, thankfully before I used it as my gas pump. A few days ago at the field, two buddies were discussing their Kavan glow fuel pumps. They said they started out great and now leak as well. By the way, Kavan pump states "not for use with gasoline" on the box.

Rudeboy -> Will glow fuel destroy a gasoline fuel pump? (6/24/2003 4:53:56 PM)
I have had a VDO gear pump in my field box for the last 15 years to pump glow fuel. It doesn't leak, still pumps strong, and it has pumped uncountable gallons of glow fuel. This pump is the type of pump BMW used years ago as a windscreen washer pump. Unfortunately, BMW doesn't use these pumps anymore, because they are too expensive (and very high quality). I don't know if they can still be had new somewhere, but you could try a person who scraps old cars... find a BMW that is at least 13-14 years of age, and see if it has a VDO pump... If I remember correctly, I bought this pump from KAVAN, and learned afterwards it was used in cars. If I had known this before, I would have gotten one from the car yard...

Rudeboy -> Will glow fuel destroy a gasoline fuel pump? (6/24/2003 5:08:05 PM)
Seems I was wrong... Apparently VDO still carries this old pump... Look here: [URL=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/tm.asp?m=765938]VDO windscreen washer pumps[/URL] This is from the German VDO site, but I'm sure they can also be found in the US... You need the gear pump, not centrifugal type....

gone. -> Glo Fuel Pumps (6/24/2003 5:15:36 PM)
IMHO and due to experience I have found Sonitronics to be of poor quality and not last long when it comes to glo fuel. Others (Hanger 9) requires priming (blowing through a piece of tube into your fuel bottle) to get it going so I've gone back to the Hand Pump (Hanger 9) and it works the best.

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