Fuel Transfer Pump Problem

[Aug]

I have a Tuthill/Fillrite knockoff fuel transfer pump I bought new a month ago. Have only ran maybe 150 gal of diesel through it and now you have to loosen the filter from housing to make it prime. Not a big deal but is really a pain and makes a mess. This thing is SUPPOSED to be new. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 

[retired farmer]

Take it back where you got it. Should have a warranty doesn't it?
 

[Aug]

Unfortunately I made the mistake of buying it at a whole sale type tool store while on vacation. I paid $199+tax for pump, hose, and auto nozzle which I thought was a good deal at the time...
 

[Jon Hagen]

Pull it off the takn and check that the dip tube has an air tight seal to the pump. An air leak in that tube will make it lose it's prime.
 

[JDseller]

You are finding out why it was half the price of a true Fillrite pump. My brother just loves the great "deals" at HF and Northern Tool. Whenever he does anything it takes twice as long because he is using JUNK. He has two of those Fillrite knock offs. Neither of them work right either. On the one you can hold the hose down by the ground and it will usually prime.
 

[jon f mn]

AH!! the old "thought it was a good deal at the time" gag. LOL I've fallen for that one myself.
 

[Dalet]

Why is the filter on the suction side of the pump? My fillrite is on the outlet of the pump, no problem priming when its that way.
 

[Aug]

The filter is on the outlet side. When you start
it nothing comes out but as soon as you loosen the
filter from the housing it will start pumping
immediately. I'm assuming doing this removes the
air??
 

[Dalet]

[Aug]

Filter is brand new
 

[retired farmer]

If you still have the paperwork that came with the pump, isn't there a phone number in it for service? Call it and tell them what it is doing.
 

[Dave in Tx]

As Jon said, tighten the suction pipe. Just went thru this yesterday after putting new gears and all in it. Had to loosen the filter to get it to prime. Resealed the suction pipe and works like a new one.
 

[El Toro]

We removed a transfer pump from an old B29 airplane at work and you didn't need to prime it. I was 24 volt, but it would work off 12 volts. I used it to pump out my fuel oil tank when I painted it after it was sandblasted. I think it had 1-1/4 pipe threads. We used 3/4 hose along with 3/4 to 1-1/4 pipe bushings. Still would pump a lot of fuel quickly. That plane had nice pressure gauges on it. I still have one. Hal