^^ lolz

 

*shurgs*

Pumps ...

 

/\ to pump or not to pump ...........

 

If you had asked, I apologize as I didn't see that. Don't forget you can always pick up the phone and call either myself or Ray without having to wait for someone to respond here online. You got the local hookup man, use it!

In other related news...

I wanted to offer some information to those who may experience a similar failure or at least overheating problems. I experienced this for the first time over the weekend after spending about 10+ minutes between 7,000 and 9,000 RPMs with the overheating occuring after a long stretch of high load driving.

The most obvious symptoms were a loss of power and a feeling of possible pre-ignition. I didn't hear any nasty noises, just some surging and power loss. The other aspects were an air/fuel ratio which went as high as 20:1 but it could have been higher. As far as I know I didn't cause any engine damage but I'll confirm that this week.

Finally, you'll notice your STFT's shoot to +24% right away as the PCM tries to call for more fuel. The problems only showed up when the pump would switch to high output as it was fine below 4,000 RPM's and during cruise.

Since getting back to Phoenix the car is getting much harder to start which I believe is because the pump isn't holding pressure as well. Also I'm starting to see leaner conditions across the board.

The one aspect I'm looking for is after the replacement to see how it effects my tune which I'm expecting it will in a big way. There's a few areas in my fuel mapping where I'm calling for A LOT of fuel (like 11:1) and seeing high 12's, low 13's. I'm thinking the pump could have been having issues for a while however MazdaManiac and I saw no pressure issues when we tested it out just a few days ago.

As Ray said, we'll be testing this pump theory on a variety of cars to see if it's truely something that would work for the RX8. Seeing as the fuel pump is critical and even more so when FI, the last thing we want is a pump that is going to fail on people.

I did take some data logs showing the pump failure...I'll post them up so people can see the net effects.

 

The "failing after long cruise" is one of the best-known failure modes.
I was getting that on my first OE pump last year.

It's the pump motor over-heating.

 

Bad thing is that when you have your first issue you know that it is not going to be a sporadic one. Apparently the fuel pump motors cook very fast when overheating

 

Ah... Makes sense. I noticed it has always happened when my fuel level was low. I wonder if the lack of fuel in the tank helps it cook itself.

Regardless, I'm happy I know what the problem is. It was driving me nuts trying to isolate the problem without any codes or anything.

Thanks guys, I look forward to seeing what the end result will be with the walbro mod.

 

fuel keeps the pump cool

 

Hurry up and test it !

 

Got a couple more days on the street with it to go and testing on the other BHR cars.
To be honest, I'd rather test it on the track before putting my "stamp of approval" on it, but I won't get the chance to do that until September at the earliest (unless a cooler-climate track day comes onto my schedule).

 

The pump I've ordered for my own RX8 will be here today. I'll at least be able to run it around with the daily driving I do. However, as Jeff mentioned it would be best to run the pump on the track before signing off on it.

 

What's the warranty on the walbro pumps?

 

Essentially none.
They charge $40 for the RMA and then proceed to cut it open, which destroys it.
They ALWAYS come back with the diagnosis that it failed because of contamination and void the warranty. I've never encountered someone that got a new one from Walbro.

Considering how cheap they are and the fact that the Mazda warranty is only 90 days on the OE replacement pump (and mine died in less than 10 months), warranty just isn't an issue.

 

mm, hows the car running in all this heat ?

thread isnt helping my confidence in the stock pump lol

 

There are pumps that come with a 10.000 or so warranty, this might be something to keep in mind!

 

The problem with a warranty on a fuel pump is the fact that it's assumed you're not going to have a second one laying around. If that's the case, you'll have to order another replacement otherwise the car is disabled while the RMA is processed.

In the end you'll have to install a replacement anyway. Might as well just not deal with the hassle.

 

how much do the pumps usually cost?

think i remember somewhere saying around 90? at 40$ for rma may just as well buy a second pump from the sound of it

 

The cost is going to vary where you buy it. I think I recall being told that the pump was being sold here locally in Arizona for around $130 but I know BHR can get the pump for less than that.

I can't say if this is going to be a product or service we offer cause it's really early in the game so I couldn't speculate on what BHR's prices would be.

 

CRH said BHR is a Walbro dealer.

might as well just sell the pump and let the brave souls out there (like me) to try it.

of course, at our own risk

 

+1 or just give up the part # in a pm.

 

Wait.... R&D before offering the product retail? That is totally BS - and you should know better.....

 

WTF?!
Since when do you have to test stuff around here? I thought all you had to do was say that it was "tested and proven" and then you could sell it like crazy????

 

Only if all PMs are replied!

That's how we roll.

 

good to see the BHR team having fun

 

All those "performance" chips got that "test and proven" mark on them ... :P