I've got an MDS 1.48 with a Perry pump that up to today has run perfectly. No dead sticks ever. Today after 7/8 of the first tank she went dead. Subsequent runs all ended prematurely for some reason. The engine felt hot too, something that I haven't noticed before. I believe it's going lean and just dieing for lack of fuel.
Do Perry pumps just stop working? Is there a test I can perform to check it? I did check my fuel system for leaks and it's drum tight. I almost got a whole tank through it with the cowl off which makes me wonder if the cowl is rubbing on the pump and causing foaming. The engine and mount does vibrate but not excessively in my opinion.
It is on an 1/4 scale Extra 330L using 10% fuel and the temp. was around 75. Like I said, I've got about 3 gallons through it and it has always run perfectly.
Thanks for your help!

Chris:

Anyone who picks a cat boat over a nice Marconi rigged sloop, well... Haw.

Bet you aren't using a filter between the tank and the pump. The Perry pump uses simple flapper valves, similar to the ones in a Walbro carb. A small bit of trash and they stop.

Flush the pump by using your normal fuelling pump, forcing a high flow through it. Then use a filter.

This should get you running again.

There are rare times when the pump will fail. If flushing doesn't take care of your problem send it to Conley Precision, let than check it. Conley is good people, if they don't replace it free they'll probably give you a good price for a replacement.

But most probably it's just a bit of trash. Flush it, install a filter, and keep going.

Bill.

Bill, A Marconi sloop would look funny in a class IV rapid, still, I'll photo it if you'll sail it.
Anyway,,,,I do have a Sullivan Crap trap between the tank and the pump. I flushed the carb at the field but not the pump. I'll try that next.
I lost my pitts muffler last week but replaced it with the exact same model. Could the muffler be different somehow? I doubt it, but you never know.

Hi

It happed to me - it would stop pumping at high rpms (ok at low revs).
I took mine apart and found a piece of flashing on the back plate had pieced the diagram.
You can just make it out in the pics at the arrow.

Two others of mine started leaking at the drain hole - they were replaced without question - apparently the quality controll has been improved.

I had one set up over the winter and it wouldn't work, I understand castor can congeal and plug up the valves. It ran fine after circulating fuel through it in a continuous loop for a couple of minutes.

Thanks for the tips boys! The pictures are interesting Tim. Thanks!
I called Conley and was told it probably had picked up some crud somehow. He told me to try and flush it with fuel but if that didn't work, send it in for replacement at n/c.
I ordered a spare from Tower today anyway. Can't stand having a bird that isn't airworthy!