Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[chartz]

Hello,

I tried to open my fuel pump (2.5 TD) but I saw that the wires inside the pump are actually bathing in fuel.
Is this normal ?
I put everything back together, not knowing if I had done anything wrong. Still dirty then.
I kwow fuel and electricity don't like each other !

[mantahatch]

Yes it is normal. There have been cases of people using fuel injection pumps to drain fuel from petrol tanks by making up there own "drain kit" and these have exploded on occasions.
I have not heard of them exploding whilst fitted to the car.

HTH

Mike

[chartz]

Yes this helps ! Thanks !
Is it  alright if I take the thing out without emptying the tank ?
Is it only worth bothering ? I was contemplating a new assembly, but money being tight...
I do have the under-20-litres symptom.

[mantahatch]

Yes this helps ! Thanks !
Is it  alright if I take the thing out without emptying the tank ?
Is it only worth bothering ? I was contemplating a new assembly, but money being tight...
I do have the under-20-litres symptom.

Yes it is ok to remove without draining the tank, however be very careful about not causing any sparks with tools and electrical sparks.
At the very least I would consider disconnecting the battery.

HTH

Mike

[mantahatch]

Also just noticed yours is a diesel, diesel is not as volatile as petrol but I would certainly still be careful.

Mike

[chartz]

OK, I guess I'll leave it to the mechanic then. Too bad for my wallet.

[mantahatch]

Please don't get me wrong, the job just requires a bit of caution as you will have fuel exposed to the atmosphere and there is potential for fire. That said with a bit of caution you should be able to do it fine yourself.

HTH

Mike

[Seth]

You'll need to completely drain the tank - for the following reasons:
*  Safety - obviously ... !
*  The tank itself should be clinically, (literally), cleaned-out. Remember, any crud in the pump/swirl-chamber will also be in the tank bottom.
*  To release the complete pump/swirl-chamber assembly, you'll need to access the retaining clips at it's base. Platty has posted a first-rate guide in the 'Maintenance Guides' section of this forum. I followed it, and mine's now done. Dismantle and thoroghly clean the assembly on your work-bench - it's by far the easiest way!

Oh, to drain the tank - I let the in-tank pump do the work for me .....
Remove the left-hand fuel hose, and connect a similar diameter hose from the metal elbow into a suitable container. Turn on the ignition, and the pump will run for about 30 seconds at a time, gradually emptying the tank. Mop-up any residual fuel from the tank-base and all is revealed ... !

[chartz]

Oh, to drain the tank - I let the in-tank pump do the work for me .....
Remove the left-hand fuel hose, and connect a similar diameter hose from the metal elbow into a suitable container. Turn on the ignition, and the pump will run for about 30 seconds at a time, gradually emptying the tank. Mop-up any residual fuel from the tank-base and all is revealed ... !

Excellent idea ! I'll just do that. Did you see any differences after the spring cleaning of your tank and pump ? eg more power, fewer vibrations...