The Murphy Builders Site

I have a Parker Electric Solenoid most of the VANs guys use. Its basically an on/off valve, and when activated allows fuel to flow through it. VANS aircraft all have fuel pumps, as they are low wing aircraft. Will I have enough head pressure to push fuel through the primer solenoid and to two of the cylinders?

Do I really need it? It will be a cold weather aircraft. Lycoming O-540 carbureted.

Thanks,
Jerry Folkerts

Jerry,

I doubt you will have enough head pressure alone to prime the cylinders for a cold start. I have three carbed RVs and I use manual primer pumps for all of them with no problems whatsoever. Also the Marvel carbs have an accelerator pump which gives a squirt of fuel up the barrel each time you push the throttle. I live in the Seattle area and when it is below 40 deg F I preheat the engine and use one or two shots of primer while cranking the engine over. If you could always preheat you might get by without the primer and just use the carb pump. This works for me most of the time.

Building a Moose with IO-540. About 80% done.

Randy Albritton

Hi Jerry,
I agree with Randy. I don't think there would be enough head pressure to work with your solenoid. Think about using the normal hand operated pump like Cessnas and others. It is light, simple and not too expensive. 818R has this, connected to 2 of its 4 cylinders and, with one electronic ignition, starts almost instantly in our weather. We don't get as cold as you but the hand operated pump must work for Cessnas over there I'm guessing?
My two cents worth, FWIW.
Cheers.
Mike.