How to Prime a Transfer Pump

eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

Most transfer pumps — pumps that move liquid from one tank to another — are self-priming. However, there are some that require priming to get started. The reason pumps sometimes need priming is because they function using the principle that water escapes from high pressure areas to low pressure areas. If the pump isn't primed, then the pressure isn't high enough to pull the more-pressurized water through. This is why it is necessary to increase the pressure with outside air.

Advertisement

Step 1

Close the fuel line supply. There should be no connection between the transfer pump and its destination when you are putting the primer on.

Video of the Day

Step 2

Push the priming pump onto the closed fuel line.

Advertisement

Step 3

Bolt the pump on using the attached bolts and gaskets.

Step 4

Press the fuel pump down a few times to increase the pressure in the transfer pump.

Step 5

Close the fuel line and remove the pump. The transfer pump is now primed and ready to function on its own.

Advertisement

references

Report an Issue

screenshot of the current page

Screenshot loading...