Posted for "Gerard O Connell" <goconnell@dodo.com.au>:

 There were a few posts about pump longevity recently.
 
 I have just had my first transfer pump failure. The fuel boost pump failed
about a month ago. Perhaps the life span is similar. Are these pumps the same
type?
 
 My aircraft has just over 1000 hours and to my knowledge the pumps have never
been replaced previously. I noticed a smell of fuel in the cockpit on a short
training flight which I had never experienced before. When back on the ground
I tried the right  hand pump and it is kaput. Has anyone else had a smell of
fuel or transfer pump failure?
 
 My action in flight upon smelling the fuel was to turn off the transfer pumps
as I thought perhaps I was venting fuel from the header tank (it is supposed
to have a cut off fitted to prevent over filling). After 5 mintues or so the
smell went away.
 
 Would failure of the pump be accompanied by a leak?
 
 Regards, Gerard