Auxiliary Fuel Pump Mystery

[Ernie Martin]

Thanks to both. I think you're right.

Ernie

[hharney]

Ernie
Just out of curiosity did you move the fuel selectors at anytime during this incident? I think someone asked that above but you didn't mention anything about the selectors.

[Ernie Martin]

Yes. No one asked, but I mentioned it in my report, that I had cross-fed, but it still didn't pump.

Ernie

[Roger]

I vote for vapor/air lock. Keep in mind that the pumps will sound different if they have liqiud running through them, vs just air, which may be what sounded confusing to the mechanic.

[hharney]

Originally Posted by Ernie Martin

Yes. No one asked, but I mentioned it in my report, that I had cross-fed, but it still didn't pump.

Ernie

If you look at Skymaster O2 post he was asking if you happened to turn them off. When the selectors are off or in AUX the pump is not fed. Of course your vintage doesn't have AUX, right?

[Ernie Martin]

Sorry, I missed that question. But, no, the selectors were not turned to OFF after the previous flight. I checked that, and I also checked that there was fuel in the tank by cross-feeding the other engine and running that engine's aux pump until I saw fuel dripping from that engine.

Ernie