Fuel Pump, filter, both? How do I tell?

I can definitely hear the in tank pump running on mine, it charges the systemfor about 30 secs as the electrics come on but I do need to get my ear right up against the wheel arch to hear it.

It's really not difficult to take the pump out so definitley have a go at giving it a clean up before buying a replacement, you've nothing to lose.

I'm wondering if it can be as simple as a dirty connection on the multi point now, I went for a run about today after removing/replacing the pump to see if I could get the fault to re-occur but couldn't, in fact it ran very smoothly but still had the 3-4 sec start up and of course i've still got a fairly full tank. Going to change the under bonnet filter anyway and on Chaser's advice (thank you) will try to check the pressure at the same time. Going to check all the connections along the fuel system as well just in case.

Also,Chaser, thanks for the fuse info, I was a bit concerned about the general maintenance (which was reportedly good) if the previous owner hadn't bothered to replace a fuse. I seem to have some missing relays too, will post photo of my fuse box tomorrow when I get to work, but i,m guessing that's probably a similar thing now,especially as everything else seems to work fine.

Dann apologies, I wasn't ignoring your post.

I agree the fuel level seems to be significant. Do you know how the fuel level sensor works? I'm thinking maybe a full tank gives a nice signal to (or from) the sensor but as the level drops so does the voltage to (or from) the sensor and it throws up the management light? This is why I'm thinking of checking all the electrical connections.

thats very interesting, i didnt really think about trying to fix the pump that i already have.

i will give it a go at the weekend but not a sound from the pump, i'm hoping this is just a faulty connection

Chaser's link is superb, i've noticed that the pump is the same as the 306/406 pug, and i'm sure it would be easier to source a cheap one of those!!

i shall update you Fritz with my findings, cheers

The other thing to consider is if the fuel pickup gauze is clogged with sludge. There are posts on here discussing this problem. Basically muck accumulates in the bottom of the tank over the years and you end up with a tarry sludge. If this gets into the pickup then it can partly, or completely, block it. Just a thought.

darmain, that's interesting.

how would i test for this?! would i take the pump out from the underneath of the seat then take a dip of the fuel?!

twistedjackass said:

thats very interesting, i didnt really think about trying to fix the pump that i already have.

i will give it a go at the weekend but not a sound from the pump, i'm hoping this is just a faulty connection

Chaser's link is superb, i've noticed that the pump is the same as the 306/406 pug, and i'm sure it would be easier to source a cheap one of those!!

i shall update you Fritz with my findings, cheers

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Worth posting further info on this if you do find them to be the same. Could help a lot of guys find cheaper pumps if it pans out. Mine's the later underarch single pump & I picked up a brand new LR original off ebay one quiet day for around £50 as a spare just in case. Just realised though, I can't remember where I've put it.................

twistedjackass said:

darmain, that's interesting.

how would i test for this?! would i take the pump out from the underneath of the seat then take a dip of the fuel?!

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Basically, Yes. You have to open the top of the tank and go in and inspect and clean. If the tank is pretty full, and it sounds like it is then you would be wise to drain it down first. Access to the pick up is then possible allowing you to service it. If there is sludge down there then the best thing is to clean it out as best you can. There is no getting round this, it isn't a nice job but if its contributing to your problem then its worth it.

chromiumuk said:

Worth posting further info on this if you do find them to be the same. Could help a lot of guys find cheaper pumps if it pans out. Mine's the later underarch single pump & I picked up a brand new LR original off ebay one quiet day for around £50 as a spare just in case. Just realised though, I can't remember where I've put it.................

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tis easy chromium they,r hiding with mine in the twilight zone ,,,,dave

thanks darmain, even if there was sludge, i still cant hear the pump engage so could be a bit of both.

I will know more when i take a look at the faulty pump then try and locate a cheap alternative - like i said before, i'm sure the Pug 406/306 pumps are the same.

cheers,

Darmain said:

The other thing to consider is if the fuel pickup gauze is clogged with sludge. There are posts on here discussing this problem. Basically muck accumulates in the bottom of the tank over the years and you end up with a tarry sludge. If this gets into the pickup then it can partly, or completely, block it. Just a thought.

Click to expand...

Darmain is the pick up gauze part of the pump. I had a small plastic filter/ grille in the side of the pump body & then a wire filter section internal to the pump body, it was sort of diamond shaped. Both were spotless.

Have I missed something else in the tank that I should have checked? Certainly when I looked down into the tank it all looked very clean, no obvious sludge about.

Fritz said:

Darmain is the pick up gauze part of the pump. I had a small plastic filter/ grille in the side of the pump body & then a wire filter section internal to the pump body, it was sort of diamond shaped. Both were spotless.

Have I missed something else in the tank that I should have checked? Certainly when I looked down into the tank it all looked very clean, no obvious sludge about.

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Sounds to me like sludge is not your problem in that case. I am not familiar with the in-tank pump but I would not be surprised if the gauze in part of the pump assembly. Would be silly if it was not.