Fischer Panda fuel pump

[three4one]

I noticed corrosion on the external fuel pump for the generator. The boat is a 2018 Marlin300 with the PMS5000 generator.
Previous posts have noted corrosion (and the loud clicking all these pumps seem to make).

Has anyone been advised to replace the pump or given any information on the corrosion issue?

Photos attached.

 

[HMBJack]

Yes agreed - they do get corroded! Remember they are "general use" pumps and not specifically for marine use. After I installed mine, I gave it a nice coat of paint or two. I also try and keep my bilge area dry (with a short mop) and use a bilge air dryer (Davis Instruments 500) which seems to help keep the moisture level down.

In your case, it's not to late to hit it with some sand paper and slap some oil based paint on it. I like the oil based paints as they seem to last longer in a wet environment.

The clicking noise, while a bit annoying, is normal BTW. Hope this helps!

 

[three4one]

Yes agreed - they do get corroded! Remember they are "general use" pumps and not specifically for marine use. After I installed mine, I gave it a nice coat of paint or two. I also try and keep my bilge area dry (with a short mop) and use a bilge air dryer (Davis Instruments 500) which seems to help keep the moisture level down.

In your case, it's not to late to hit it with some sand paper and slap some oil based paint on it. I like the oil based paints as they seem to last longer in a wet environment.

The clicking noise, while a bit annoying, is normal BTW. Hope this helps!

I will see what FP comes back with. Otherwise, cleaning and painting sounds like a good idea.
Thanks....

 

[DennisG01]

As it's a 2018, you might want to check with your Grady dealer for a possible warranty on it.

If no warranty, what about replacing it with a marine, in-line fuel pump? There's plenty of them out there. I don't have a generator like yours, but what would be the reason that you can't do that? I mean, when you break it down, it's just a pump.

 

[three4one]

As it's a 2018, you might want to check with your Grady dealer for a possible warranty on it.

If no warranty, what about replacing it with a marine, in-line fuel pump? There's plenty of them out there. I don't have a generator like yours, but what would be the reason that you can't do that? I mean, when you break it down, it's just a pump.

Checking on the warranty now (probably a FP issue). If the defects are just surface it may be easier to paint than replumb. I didn't find any marine direct dropins.

 

[DennisG01]

Technically, that pump is a marine unit as it's ignition protected. But the lack of a proper paint job on it is disappointing. I wonder if coating it with epoxy (you could add a black - or any color - pigment) might be a better long-term solution than paint? After a good sanding, of course.

For the most part, a pump is a pump is a pump. As long as the flow rate and pressure are similar, you can pretty much use anything. Having that (basically) bare metal in close proximity to the bronze connectors isn't helping anything, either.

It sounds like you're checking with Fisher regarding the warranty, rather than Grady?

 

[three4one]

Technically, that pump is a marine unit as it's ignition protected. But the lack of a proper paint job on it is disappointing. I wonder if coating it with epoxy (you could add a black - or any color - pigment) might be a better long-term solution than paint? After a good sanding, of course.

For the most part, a pump is a pump is a pump. As long as the flow rate and pressure are similar, you can pretty much use anything. Having that (basically) bare metal in close proximity to the bronze connectors isn't helping anything, either.

It sounds like you're checking with Fisher regarding the warranty, rather than Grady?

I sent photos to Grady. They typically pass the info on to FP. I could have gone direct but I thought Grady might bring some weight to the discussion. Since the pump is not inside the generator it may be installed by Grady.
In any case, if I were Grady I would ask FP to use a better pump.

 

[Fishtales]

That isn't right. FP should replace with something that can stand up better to the elements. What will that look like in 5 seasons? Might not even be there....

 

[DennisG01]

I could have gone direct but I thought Grady might bring some weight to the discussion.

I agree. Honestly, what Grady does with this in regards to dealing with Fisher is not your concern. You bought the boat from Grady.. the warranty is from Grady. What Grady does on the back end doesn't really matter to you, the end user. Now, if Grady denies the warranty issue, THEN I would contact Fisher directly.

 

[Fishtales]

So what is the claim to Grady? An internal pump to my generator has rust on it? How about the other internals like bolts and the like?

 

[DennisG01]

The part that's a little bit of a "stretch" to warranty is there is nothing actually wrong with the pump. It has superficial corrosion - which, in reality, the warranty claim to Grady could easily be denied due to "lack of owner maintenance". But that's where going to Grady directly can also help since it's only a year old and Grady may cover it "just because". Regardless, it shouldn't be rusting that quickly - its a bad design.

 

[Fishtales]

I agree the finish isn't marine quality. I would hope FP would send one out for the donut.

 

[DennisG01]

And it would have costed, what, like 63 cents to have painted it at the factory?

 

[HMBJack]

Here's what my FP Fuel Pump looks like after a year and half in my bilge.
This replacement pump is a Facet brand one similar or identical to the original poster's.

Just looking at it I knew it would rust so I coated it first with a coat of oil based paint. It seems to be holding up okay down there but I will add more paint soon. I do keep a reasonably dry bilge with mops and the Davis Instruments Air Dryer. Both of these seem to help.

 

[Fishtales]

pays to be proactive....

 

[three4one]

FP sent a replacement pump today. GW was diligent in following up with them. FP was very responsive. Here is what FP told GW:

"Fischer Panda claims they have not been notified of any changes with the pumps and they have not had any calls regarding this issue. Hopefully this is isolated.
They say it shouldn’t affect the operation of the pump but since you have concerns they would send you a replacement pump at no cost."

If anyone has a recent issue with the FP pump I suggest you "contact them regarding this issue". They appear to not be aware of it.