Lift pump gone?

dantips · Jun 3, 2012

For the last couple of days my 300tdi defender has been really low on power and won't rev very high. Today I decided to check the fuel filter, that's ok but when I try to purge the air using the lever on the lift pump nothing happens.
I removed the pump, attached a pipe to the inlet and put the other end in some diesel and tried the purge lever again and it doesn't pump, also tried the main lever.
Am I missing something or is the pump dead?

jamesmartin · Jun 3, 2012

if piped up the right way yes ,new one isnt expensive google err5057

dantips · Jun 3, 2012

Cheers, I thought it would be, just didn't think it would run at all if it had gone.

jamesmartin · Jun 3, 2012

they will run if pump dont work properly ,if no air gets pump not working is often not noticed till filter change etc

dantips · Jun 6, 2012

Quick update, new lift pump fitted today and all is well, back to full power.
Thanks for the help

discomania · Jun 6, 2012

dantips said:
For the last couple of days my 300tdi defender has been really low on power and won't rev very high. Today I decided to check the fuel filter, that's ok but when I try to purge the air using the lever on the lift pump nothing happens.
I removed the pump, attached a pipe to the inlet and put the other end in some diesel and tried the purge lever again and it doesn't pump, also tried the main lever.
Am I missing something or is the pump dead?

One note, this worked out for you. But for other readers, before you spend money check that the lift pump isn't on cam. If it was sitting on cam then the lever will do nothing. Turn engine a little on starter to get it off cam.

Worth checking as it may not always be the lift pump.

COA · Jun 6, 2012

Sorry for hijack...I think that my lift pump may have gone as well. When I undo the small bolt ontop of the fule filter and pump the manual lever on the fuel pump for a few mins I am unable to get any diesel out the top of the fuel filter. How long does it make manual pumping to get the diesel out the top of the fuel filter??

I am also getting sudden cut out of power whihch feels like an air bubble going into the engine does that sound like a buggered fuel pump? I have a 200 tdi

discomania · Jun 6, 2012

It should come out immediatly, the system should always be full of diesel, so one pump and it should spill diesel.

See my above post, check it is off cam first.

Sudden loss of power could be air, dodgy fuel solenoid etc etc...

COA · Jun 6, 2012

discomania said:
It should come out immediatly, the system should always be full of diesel, so one pump and it should spill diesel.

See my above post, check it is off cam first.

Sudden loss of power could be air, dodgy fuel solenoid etc etc...

To check if its off cam, I assume I can just move the landy forward whilst in gear a small distance as that will turn the cam??

Sean · Jun 6, 2012

COA said:
To check if its off cam, I assume I can just move the landy forward whilst in gear a small distance as that will turn the cam??

turn it over on the key

discomania · Jun 6, 2012

No comment...

COA · Jun 6, 2012

So how can I tell what position the cam is in without borrowing my sons X-ray specs??? Sorry, but its not something I can easily tell???

discomania · Jun 7, 2012

Try the lift pump lever, if it feels like there is no resistance in it 1 of 3 things has happened, it's A. On cam B. It's a cheap pump and the lever has been sliced by the actuator so the pump does actualy still work but the lever is just goosed, or C the pump is knackered.

So, if you feel no resistance turn the engine over one blimp on the starter, try the pump again, still the same? In that case the lever is knackered or the pump is knackered.

Next thing would be to undo the bleed screw on top of the filter housing and pull the wire off the injection pump and turn the engine over with the starter, if diesel comes out now then your pump works but the lever is goosed - I would live with this and just keep a spare in the toolchest.

If nothing happens, then the pump is goosed.

pos · Jun 7, 2012

The simplest and easiest way to test your lift pump is like so:

1) Remove the left hand pipe (out union) between the lift pump and the fuel filter housing.
2) Remove the wire to the stop solenoid on your injection pump (this will stop the engine from starting but is not necessary)
3) Have a friend turn the key so that the engine spins on the starter and observe the union on the lift pump. It should belt fuel up at your bonnet and all over your engine bay. If it doesn't spray fuel everywhere or if it only produces a weak spray, you can assume the pump is jiggered or not far from failing. Don't worry about cleaning the diesel up, it will clean your engine and naturally dissipate over time.

Lift pump's are notoriously unreliable these days. I have been through ~8 in two years, most of which were OEM Delphi units, and a few of which were other brands such as Bearmach and AllMakes4x4. In most cases the priming arm that rides on the cam lobe had sheared away from the diaphragm pin inside the pump. In a couple of cases the diaphragm had simply failed to seal and there was no pressure created. In two cases, fuel was pumped directly into the cylinder block which diluted my oil

I now have a facet electric fuel pump mounted beneath the seat box just above the fuel tank and it is performing flawlessly.

-Tom

Lift pump gone?

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