Time to rebuild fuel pump ?

[MercGuy]

I have a 1998 Merc 115 2+2 that I purchased new. It now has 1,550 hours on it and it runs perfectly. The fuel pump has never been touched since I bought it.

I don't see much talk here about rebuilding fuel pumps but I'm wondering if I should do so to prevent being stranded on the water.

Any thoughts on that would be appreciated.

 

[racerone]

You can get a kit or maybe just a diaphragm.----Do you install a new water pump impeller every 5 years.----Both easy jobs and recommended.

 

[MercGuy]

Yes, I replace the impeller, in fact I'm getting ready to order an impeller and that's what started me wondering if I should replace the fuel pump diaphragm. I don't know what their lifespan is supposed to be.

 

[MercGuy]

To follow up on this I did rebuild my fuel pump. As stated above my engine is 26 years old and has over 1,500 hours. This was the first time I rebuilt the pump.

When I took the pump apart everything looked pretty good. I was especially worried that after all this time the diaphragm would be ready to break or tear and leave me stranded.

The old diaphragm was stiffer than the new replacement, but it didn't appear to have lost any strength or durability. In fact I pulled on it with pliers and poked it with a screw driver and it took quite a lot to eventually tear it.

So it would seem I was in no danger of being stranded. However, it could be my imagination but I really think that I'm getting better fuel flow now. My outboard starts easier, I don't have to open the throttle and rev it to get it stable when starting.