Cat 259D fuel transfer pump

[Duke279]

Would like to know if Cat's electric fuel transfer pumps are on a timer? The pump always ran for about 45 seconds with key to on position then stops but now running at various times during operation gets real loud. Machine has about 1400 hours and just put new transfer pump on 2 months ago. CAT259D serial FTL04742

 

[Arny L]

The fuel transfer pump is controlled by the ECM through a relay.

 

[Duke279]

I expected the EMC to control the electric pump but do you know the protocol as when the pump should be running? Should it be running all the time?

 

[Nige]

just put new transfer pump on 2 months ago.

Can I ask what prompted you to install a new transfer pump.?
Was the bowl under the filter constantly running empty.?

 

[Duke279]

The original pump would not power up when turning the key on. Had system voltage at the connector.
Machine would still run and operate but changed pump in order to prime filter at service.
Clear prefilter on pump usually runs about 40% full.

 

[Nige]

Clear prefilter on pump usually runs about 40% full.

Do you mean the bowl that screws to the bottom of the filter element or the little doohickey in the fuel feed line from the tank (circled).

 

[Duke279]

Yes the little prefilter that screws directly on the bottom of the pump. The one in the red circle.

 

[Nige]

Yes the little prefilter that screws directly on the bottom of the pump. The one in the red circle.

Have you ever changed the element inside it.? They are known for plugging.

If you did, or if the replacement transfer pump came with a new one, move to the head of the fuel filter assembly. Remove the three fittings in the illustration below plus any blank plugs that are in the other ports. Make sure the check valve #3 is working correctly, then blow through each port with compressed air to make sure that none of the passages in the filter head are blocked up with dirt.



Lastly if the fuel tank has not had water & sediment drained from it recently it might be an idea to do that. The drain plug will either be behind a rectangular plate in the centre of the belly guard or on the left rear corner.

 

[Duke279]

The new pump #552-5534 came with new prefilter. I keep some of them on stock as well. never pulled tank drain plug on this machine yet. My full storage tanks all have filters.

 

[Nige]

The new pump #552-5534 came with new prefilter. I keep some of them on stock as well. never pulled tank drain plug on this machine yet. My full storage tanks all have filters.

Have you had the machine from new.? If not maybe any debris that might be in the filter head could be from prior to your ownership.

 

[Duke279]

Yes I purchased this machine new from Cat dealer

 

[Nige]

So not much likelihood of contamination having accumulatedin the passages in the head, but I don't think you have anything to lose by checking and ticking the box. While you're at it you could confirm the operation of the check valve and also the relief valve shown as #2 in the fuel lines.

 

[Duke279]

problem fixed. Took line off fuel pump and blew air back toward tank. Must have been a restriction. Wish I would have thought of that earlier. I’ve done that before on John Deere tractors with success.

 

[Nige]

Glad you got it sorted. You’d be amazed at the number of fuel problems on machines such as yours that pop up on this forum and are the result of a problem in either the tank or lines. Now all that you have to do is pull that tank drain plug, just to check what’s in there……

 

[Altitude]

The fuel transfer pump is controlled by the ECM through a relay.

Which relay?