Looking for A4 Mechanic in Everett WA (Seattle to Anacortes)

[SRuiter]

I have an A4 with a fuel pump that needs repair/rebuild in Everett WA. The project seems beyond my capabilities, but after talking to Ken at Moyer Marine, this is a very fixable engine.

The sediment bowl failed, see picture 4 (if I can figure out how to attach one). Perhaps just that needs replacing.

Thanks!

Steve

[TomG]

Steve,

I know you were asking about a mechanic, but if you found your way to this forum, I am pretty sure you could easily rebuild your fuel pump. Short of having a very serious internal problem (spun bearing, broken valve, cracked block) most repairs to an A-4 are doable by a handy person with normal tools. That's one of the beautiful characteristics of this engine.

Here's a sediment bowl from our sponsor.

Sediment bowl from MMI

Here's a rebuild kit as well.

Rebuild kit for mechanical fuel pump

There really isn't anything cosmic about the fuel pump. If you found your way to this forum, I'm sure you could rebuild it yourself if you were so inclined. As to your original post, I do not know of any mechanics in the Seattle area, but we have several members of this forum who might. Good luck!

[HalcyonS]

Agree with Tom, as most will here
you could also swap out for an electric pump.
A bit of fiddling with wires and hose clamps, no big deal.
Get an oil pressure switch tho.

[joe_db]

Moyer sells all the parts or an entire new pump. If it is old maybe just get a rebuild pump and call it a day.

[wristwister]

I'll 2nd (3rd? 4th?) what others are saying. It's been said that if these engines were any simpler, they couldn't possibly run. And in the words of Captain Ron "if it's going to break, it will break out there". Fix this fuel issue yourself, and when the next fuel issue occurs while your drifting toward the rocks in gale winds, you'll know your system and be able to fix it.

And I'll also 2nd the idea of going to an electric pump. Not too tough, but do it right with the oil pressure safety switch. I believe all the doodads for doing this are available here. Hey, while your fingernails are dirty, might as well throw electronic ignition under that distributor cap too!

I'm certainly no mechanic, but I've kept my old A4 running for a few years and I've learned a thing or two, and I'm in the Everett area. Once you decide how you want to tackle the fuel pump issue perhaps I could give you a hand. PM me.

[marthur]

And here's a thought, I have a fully functional, already rebuilt mechanical fuel pump in my spares kit and I am about to put it all up for sale. I would happily ship it to you for the cost of the rebuild kit--which is less than an hour of marine mechanic's time. Just PM me.

Then, you could tackle the rebuild at your leisure. That first repair is a huge confidence booster. It is also addictive, so beware.

[capnward]

I like my mechanical pump; it has been good for 2000 hours, since the rebuild by Gallery Marine in Seattle. I say get a rebuilt pump and put it on. Become a student of your engine and work on it and you will develop new capabilities. The Moyer manual is a must.
Use MMO in the fuel, especially if you can't get non-ethanol, and the diaphragm will not dry out and crack. In my opinion.

[HOTFLASH]

If I can do the rebuild successfully, anyone can. Good Luck!

[SRuiter2016]

thanks for the help

Wow guys, thanks for the encouragement. I think I will buy a new pump assembly and see if I can get it on myself.

[anian]

If all else fails call Pat @ Pat's Marine Engines in Seattle. He is arguably the A-4 go-to guy in the Puget Sound area and has been repairing/rebuilding A-4s for at least 25 and probably more years.

[sastanley]

SRuiter, anian's suggestion is a good one. We all love pimping Moyer Marine because sales help to keep the company and forum alive, however, sometimes a local supplier makes more economical sense for some things, especially "smalls" (smaller items), and also helps keep your local supplier in business too!

My local supplier is Zahniser's in Solomons, MD. They have a mechanic on the Moyer Good Guys list, Billy...he must be the equivalent to your Puget Sound guy. I buy impellers, gaskets and small stuff from them since they are a 5 minute drive. My "annual" list that I build up (rebuild kits, etc.) I pick up from Moyer when it all makes sense with shipping.

I am also a fan of the mechanical pump. I have rebuilt two now, and have one as a spare. I think I have at least two more in storage, I am hording them!

[Humboldtsailor]

i would recommend upgrading the upper housing as well the quality is top notch.

http://www.moyermarine.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=FPMP_12.1_356

[Marineee]

did you manage to solve this issue? any updates?