16 replies to this topic

[neil gale]

So i am now onto my 3rd fuel pump!!!!

Have a 2.0 EFI pinto (1988)

Original fuel pump gave up before build completed. New Cosworth pump has just packed in this weekend.

I had hoped cossie pump would be able to cope with any fuel needs, but it now has next to zero suction and cant pump any fuel!

Is my fuel pipe routing to blame?? or am i just unlucky??

[MikeD318]

Does the pump have to be primed before it will work properly?

[neil gale]

I primed it initially, and its worked for the last 3 months, but has given up now

[MikeD318]

Ahhhh, sorry I thought you meant you couldn't get a new one to work. Have these all been new pumps, or out of the scrappy? If they're out of the scrappy you might have just been unlucky. Maybe you've got a blockage somewhere that's overworking them? What about installing a pond pump to do the job?  

[neil gale]

the first one was from the donor

cossie pump was brand new!!!!!

have a pond pump, may be needed as a last resort

[Ant]

The pumps on the EFi setup need to be "gravity fed" - ie they will not suck fuel into them.  The fuel must either fall into the pump by placing it underneath the tank, or have a seperate lift pump which feeds a smaller reservior which in turn feeds the main pump by gravity.  They may suck slightly, but they're not designed to.

The main reason for these pumps failing is dirt.  Have you fitted a filter between the tank and the pump?  The tiniest piece of dirt will block the pump which renders it useless as they are sealed units.  Common practice is to fit a small inline fuel filter (of the type found on carb engines under the bonnet) between the tank and the pump.  This should sort the problem out.

Ant

[Ant]

The pumps on the EFi setup need to be "gravity fed" - ie they will not suck fuel into them.  The fuel must either fall into the pump by placing it underneath the tank, or have a seperate lift pump which feeds a smaller reservior which in turn feeds the main pump by gravity.  They may suck slightly, but they're not designed to.

The main reason for these pumps failing is dirt.  Have you fitted a filter between the tank and the pump?  The tiniest piece of dirt will block the pump which renders it useless as they are sealed units.  Common practice is to fit a small inline fuel filter (of the type found on carb engines under the bonnet) between the tank and the pump.  This should sort the problem out.

Ant

[Ant]

Oops - only meant to send that once.

[neil gale]

Cheers Ant

My pump is located above the tank - could be a problem! and does not have an in line filter.
Gravity feed could be difficult - would i be better off getting a Facet Solid State Pump that can be fitted above the height of the tank

[Ant]

Given that you need to buy a new pump anyway, then yes, that would be a good idea.  Vehicle wiring products do one for injection engines, ref: 070003 and it's 73.30 squid + vat.  You may get one cheaper than this elsewhere, but make sure it will lift and will pump up to about 4 or 5 bar outlet pressure.  The Bosch ones like the Sierra original are rated to 5 bar normally (at least mine is).  The pressure relief valve on the end of the fuel rail determines the actual pressure used - so long as the pump is capable of say 4 bar, and isn't a stupid amount more than that, you should be ok.

I'd fit a filter too - they're only about a quid each - again vehicle wiring products do them - ref AFF105 at £1.15 + vat each is the one I've fitted.

Ant

[Ant]

One more thought - is your current fuel pump actually broken, or is it simply not sucking fuel up from the tank?  If it still works then a filter and a mounting bracket under the tank will probably save you 70 odd quid.

Ant

[Battery Bill]

Ant
I saw the setup on your car when we visited, we have got an inline filter to fit straight out of the tank. My question is what on earth is the Big metalic cylinder thing that sits in the engine bay of the donor? Is that another filter and do you have to fit it or what?
Cheers

[Ant]

Yup - you need that too.

The big cylinder is a "micron filter" - ie a very fine filter.  It protects the injectors.  A tiny piece of crap in the fuel can block an injecftor really easily.  Trouble is that this is between the pump and the injectors.  You really ought to protect the pump too, though it will cope with things which the injectors won't.  I guess you could fit the micron filter before the pump and it would do both jobs, but it's big and is difficult to mount under the tank ... hence my setup with a cheapy carb filter before the pump and the micron one under the bonnet.

Ant

[neil gale]

Ant

Thanks a lot for the help.
I bought the facet pump and it seems to be working ok, with plenty of pressure at the injector rail.

However, she refuses to start now! It seems she is just starting to fire when something stops it, but i dont know if its a sensor or what?

Put new plugs on, checked the timing, fuel, rpm and idle sensors, fuel pressure regulator, and still no joy.

Should keep me busy for a few days!

[Fred2b]

I have a 2 lire injection setup in my car. While I was building I tested the pump on the bench. I put the pump on top about 900 mm high and a can of petrol on the floor. The pump lifted the petrol all the way no problem. It is now installed above the tank in the 2B. Do you think it will last or can I expect problems?
Fred