Faulty Fuel Pump

[Rod]

Well one of my A5s has been sitting in the barn and not seeing much use lately since I have been so busy. I would crank it up every couple of weeks just to make sure it would start. Yesterday, I got it out and drove it up to the house so I could get it cleaned up since I was loaning it to the church to use in their Vacation Bible School static display. I let it run yesterday while I pressure washed it. I knew it was low on gas when I shut it down but figured I would load it up this morning and stop to fill it up on the way to the church.

Mules being Mules, it decided that it didn't want to crank this morning. I figured it was just too low to pickup gas. I rolled the mule up on the trailer and stopped by the gas station and filled it up. When I got to Church, the Mule still didn't want to start. I got the Starting Fluid and gave it a squirt to help it along while it pulled fuel from the tank to the carb. It would run on the starting fluid but not on the gas. I went to the back to loosen the return line off the top of the Tee. I had gas there but also noticed that I had oil running out. A quick look at the oil as well as smelling it told me that my original fuel pump was dumping gas in the crankcase. I have had this mule for 8 years or more and the original style fuel pump was on it when I got it. There is no telling how long it has been on there. I knew I was on borrowed time and knew the fuel pump would go out sooner or later.

I rolled the Mule off the trailer and into place for the display. I will replace the fuel pump when I get it back home.

[tbied2]

hey..!! i have had a mule engine problem for several years, and it just popped up again this weekend at memorial day parade. motor starts and runs good. no gas in oil. propper oil level. no mice in covers. so;;;...on hot days, sometimes it just starts smoking like crazy and stalls the motor. and when i check everything, there is oil in the bottom of air filter assembly and filter element is wet. i have disconnected the tube that runs from the engine block to the air filter can, and darn if oil still somehow gets back to filter. i have the line from engine cover to the carb tube almost turned off, ...!! what the heck is causing this oil to get in the air filter which is in front of that tube...??? been happening for about two years,, i have a spare new gen... engine, but been putting that off in case i can solve the problem... also;;; what exactly does that little valve type fitting do that is in the engine block coming from the air filter...?? any suggestions.........

[Dan S]

Rod,
I previously had the exact same problem with my mule. Gas in the oil and oil/gas mixture leaking out. I installed one of Bill Watson's new fuel pumps to correct the problem.

I'm wondering how long the new fuel pumps are good for. So far, the new gasoline / ethanol mixture hasn't ruined my new fuel pump and it has been 2 or 3 years.

Have fun installing the new fuel pump. I'm sure you are well versed on this task, but I'd rather go to the dentist than go through that repair again. The mules are not the easiest MV to work on. Guys see my mule and say they would like to have one. They look easy to work on they say. I quickly correct them.

I hope the Vacation Bible School enjoys your mule!

Dan S

[Chuck W.]

I know Rod does not agree with me, but when I change a fuel pump, I take a little extra time and remove the blower and the blower mount. This gives you much better access to the fuel lines and mounting bolts....but that's just me

[LANCE MILLER]

I agree with the Chuck on removing the blower to get access to the fuel pump.

Lance Miller