Vans Electric Fuel Primer...

[s10sakota]

I'm looking for pics and info on how you installed the Vans electric primer kit. I'm installing it on a Carburated O-360.

I'd like to see how/where you mounted the the electronic valve and how you routed the small brass fuel tube.

When I ordered the kit, I thought it consisted of a small electric fuel pump that pumped the fuel to the cylinders. But it is not a pump, it is a valve. So I'm thinking that to prime the engine, I would need to turn on the aux electric fuel pump to actually move the fuel, and then open the primer valve for a second or two to prime the engine. There are no instructions with the Vans kit.

Thanks for any info/pics!!

Mark

 

[RV-9erA]

With a carbureted Lycoming engine, you don't really need a primer--I don't have one. Best method is to switch-ON your electric fuel pump to get a fuel pressure rise. Then start cranking your engine with the mixture full-rich, while pumping the throttle a few times. After pumping the throttle several times while cranking the engine, then return your throttle to idle until the engine starts (acks like a choke). But, don't stop cranking until the engine starts, especially if you experience any backfire. As long as the engine remains cranking, there's little danger of an intake fire.

 

[bifft]

Don't have any decent pictures of it, but ran a line off the top port on the gascolator (standard Vans) to the valve. Then ran the line to the primer lines that were already installed on my used engine with a spiral section to handle the vibration. Both valve and gascolator mounted on the firewall.

To use, turn on the aux fuel pump then switch the valve on. I find a cold day starts well after about 3 seconds worth and a hot day 2 seconds.

 

[Cth6]

I'm looking for pics and info on how you installed the Vans electric primer kit. I'm installing it on a Carburated O-360.

I'd like to see how/where you mounted the the electronic valve and how you routed the small brass fuel tube.

When I ordered the kit, I thought it consisted of a small electric fuel pump that pumped the fuel to the cylinders. But it is not a pump, it is a valve. So I'm thinking that to prime the engine, I would need to turn on the aux electric fuel pump to actually move the fuel, and then open the primer valve for a second or two to prime the engine. There are no instructions with the Vans kit.

Thanks for any info/pics!!

Mark

I dont have a picture in front of me, but....

Out of the top of the gascolator there is a fuel tap that goes into the valve, which is mounted 6" above the gascolator. The other side of the valve has a tee with a line that runs to Cyl 2&4 and a line to cylinder 1. Each line is routed similarly to the spark plug wires using adel clamps to keep them separated. There is a 3" loop in the line between the adel clamp on the engine mount and adel clamp on the bottom of the valve cover. Cylinder 3 has the MAP line.

You are correct, you need to pressurize the fuel system before taping the primer with the electronic fuel pump.

As others will probably say. I have never used it beyond testing at each CI. The engine starts nicely with a single quick pump while cranking.

 

[Kyle Boatright]

Don't have any decent pictures of it, but ran a line off the top port on the gascolator (standard Vans) to the valve. Then ran the line to the primer lines that were already installed on my used engine with a spiral section to handle the vibration. Both valve and gascolator mounted on the firewall.

To use, turn on the aux fuel pump then switch the valve on. I find a cold day starts well after about 3 seconds worth and a hot day 2 seconds.

This is how I did mine. But I removed it after a few years. I start the engine with one pump of the throttle (pushing fuel through the accelerator pump) as the engine spins. I live in a warm climate, which may help.

 

[RV7 To Go]

Yep, as others have said. A quick pump or two of the throttle while starting is all it needs. I had one but took it off...one less maintenance thing to deal with. Just takes one pump when the weather is warm and 2 or 3 when colder. Never been an issue for the past 15 years.

 

[fixnflyguy]

I have one on my -4 and love it. Yes, you turn boost pump on, hold the primer button about 3-5 seconds and fire it up. Those who prime their carb using the accelerator pump and throttle lever are just a misfire away from burning up their plane (no offense folks). As 45 year AP/IA, I have repaired my share of burnt up airboxes, cowlings and engines. No Bueno. On my -4, the solenoid is mounted on the firewall, and I ran a copper tube (with and expansion loop) to a T fitting and used the usual plumbing to 3 of the 4 cylinders. The 4th has manifold pressure tap. I've attached a couple pics. The primer button is on the panel just forward of the throttle. hard to see in the pic, but the solenoid is a small canister shape and I have it held in place with 2 large grey adel clamps just behind the rear cylinder on the firewall. The feed comes from the top of the gascolator. I have more detailed pics, but not handy.

 

[Planecrazy232]

I have this exact primer on my 0360 and never use it. I don't prime with the accelerator pump before starting. I run the fuel pump first to fill the bowl, turn the pump off, crank the engine, and while cranking give it a quick pump of throttle and it fires on the third blade every time.

 

[Dan 57]

as stated by many, it is of little to no use. And was just dead weight on my previous motor, reason it was recently ditched. Consisted of one of my 2 Facet pumps, a T off the top of the gascolator, the electromagnetic valve, a T in the line with each side going to its respective cylinder. The line was of small diameter copper material.

If the aircraft is flown regularly, not very 6 months but 1-2 a week, there's not even a need for pumping the throttle. Normal start checklist lists e-pump on, crack the throttle half an inch, starter, and there she fires happily. Only sub-freezing Ts could mandate throttle pumping (whilst cranking only), or using the primer if so equipped.

If you insist I could dig out some pictures of the previous install when back home...

 

[noelf]

If you use the electric primer kit, be sure to identify the input and output ports on the solenoid. IIRC, they are not labeled, but one port is higher than the other. If hooked up backwards, it is possible for fuel to get sucked through the valve by the vacuum of the intake strokes of the engine.

 

[s10sakota]

Thanks for the replies. Before I install it I'm going to try using the pump-the-throttle method others have mentioned!

 

[elev666]

I can reaffirm the primer isn’t necessary on carbureted engine even though I did install one that came off the top feed on my fuel strainer, at one of the annuals I opened up the primer line to test the flow of the electric primer and gotten zero fuel from it is still attached to the Fuel system, but to no use !