Pumping water with a generic fuel pump?

[TheSubaruJunkie]

I want to build a sprayer for my intercooler. I have everything I need except a pump. Im wondering if there would be issues with using a generic fuel pump to pump water??

[Legacy777]

I don't really think so. You may just want to try it out with a bucket of water and see how it works.

[All_talk]

Most fuel pumps are in some part lubed by the fuel, I suspect it might not last long pushing water. I think a windshield washer pump would be a better low buck option.

Gary

[TheSubaruJunkie]

Was curious as to prolonged use, if the water will corrode the internals or anything?

[vrg3]

Water is a much more powerful oxidizing agent than gasoline, so I'd worry about eventually corroding the inside of the pump. When people use fuel injectors for methanol injection they usually pickle the system with gasoline before parking the car.

A headlight washer pump might actually be able to provide you with enough pressure. But if you can afford to keep replacing the pump, I guess there's no reason not to try the fuel pump idea. Just be aware of how much pressure that pump can produce.

A hard part of finding off-the-shelf stuff for intercooler sprays is that you really need very fine atomization of the water in order for it to be effective. There aren't a lot of nozzles out there that are up to the task. What did you decide on?

[TheSubaruJunkie]

At work we have asphault rollers that spray water onto the drum's. I have some spare sprayers here i was planning on using. Not sure how well it will atomize the water, or if it will at all. Its pretty much just a 1/2" diameter copper rod with holes drilled into it.

Kinda the reason I was thinking of not using the winshield washer pump, cause i need to pressurize a 1/2" diameter hose that will lead from my water tank to the sprayers.

[Legacy777]

Brian,

That's way overkill for an IC spray system. I wouldn't use 1/2".

As Vikash mentioned, you need good atomization, which helps the water evaporate more quickly. That is what provides you with the cooling.

[TheSubaruJunkie]

Gotchya, i'll see what else I can scrounge up then

[All_talk]

If you can make the required pressure (I'd guess 40-60psi), those mister nozzles for outdoor sprinkler systems make a good cloud of very fine mist. And all the plumbing would be available at the local home and garden store.

Just a thought.
Gary

[skid542]

Keep us posted as you go down this road Brian. I am wanting to put a TMIC IC spray in my car as well.

This may be a silly suggestion, but what about nozzles for NOS? Not sure the pressure requirements they have but seems that they'd have good atomization.

[TheSubaruJunkie]

Gary I thought about the misters from the hardware store. My parents have a setup in their back yard that does a great job creating mist. Not sure what type of pressure they are under, i believe the entire setup runs right off the garden hose.

I was hoping to use this stuff cause its just laying around at work. If anything, i will use the water tank. Its a good sized tank that would be perfect, has the fittings needed and a large enough opening to fill with ice to keep water temps at a minimum.

-Brian

[dscoobydoo]

Try getting a headlight washer pump from an XT and using the misters.

The pump will provide the necessary pressure and the misters will provide the good atomization.

[BXSS]

+1 I think the fuel pump will die quickly if used to pump water.

A W-Washer pump should work & some W-Washer nozzles give a nice fine + wide spray pattern that will give good I/C coverage.

If you want something BIGGER use a shur-flo electric water pump like the ones used in alky injection systems (available from 60-150psi shut off levels).

[TheSubaruJunkie]

Sounds like I gotta hit the junkyard this weekend

[TheSubaruJunkie]

Well, i just bought what I think will work great for the sprayer:

eBay link

This should produce the mist spray Im after. I just need to play with water pressure's to see what works best... and find a pump that will work.

More idea's brewing

[vrg3]

Do let us know how that product works out. It'd be a great cheap source of nozzles.

The bilge pump I used to use for my air/water intercooler setup seemed to have flow characteristics similar to a garden hose... It was a Shurflo Piranha something-or-other.