IO-540 fuel system question

[JDanno]

I have a question about the fuel system on an IO-540
1. Is the mechanical fuel pump a self priming diaphragm type?
2. The electrical fuel pump I was looking at this afternoon was NOT self priming. Is that normal? It was the one supplied by Vans back about five years ago for the RV10 (we think). I was trying to help my friend check the fuel system for leaks and discovered that it wouldn't self prime. This normal? Don't sound correct to me. Thanks!

[Geico266]

Both of the pumps on my Rv 10 are self priming. It is the standard Vans set up.

[Kahuna]

all pumps on aircraft should be self priming. Running a tank dry should not result in anything more than a brief annoyance.

[JDanno]

Well, that's what I thought. The original installer said it wouldn't prime itself since it's a turbine vane. That sounded a bit dicey to me. thanks guys, Dan

[mahlon_r]

There are two types of engine driven fuel pumps available to the 540 depending on the model. There is a dual diaphragm pump and a rotary vane pump. Both are positive misplacement pumps but the rotary ones can be a little iffy for self priming, if they have some wear, without the boost pump to get them wet first.
Good luck,
Mahlon
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