Fuel pump stuff

[frankerooney]

Hi all,
I'm new :D
I've checked the forums as much as I could and couldn't find the answer to a couple of things so thought I'd post a new thread ; apologies if I'm going over old stuff.

Got a '90 scala 1.8 with suspected fuel pump problems. There is currently no fuel getting to the front end fuel filter. The car has been sitting a while, and after cracking the lift pump, the tank itself looks clean inside, slightly discoloured, but no lumps of jelly or anything so that's ok, was worried about the petrol going off as it's been sitting for 6+ yrs. Since topped up with new fuel and it was quite low, so hopefully that'll keep it ok for a bit.

The main fuel pump took a good few goes to fire up last time I started the car so it definitely was sticky then, but all injectors sprayed ok.
It worked a few days back after a few goes but yesterday. all I get is a click from the pump and no noise. Definitely getting current as the whole pump got warm.

First question is : can someone confirm / deny that the tank lift pump is driven from the same relay as the main pump? when I took the pump out, there was a tiny bit of petrol in the lines but not as much as I'd expect. I wonder whether I needed to hotwire the lift pump and the main pump a few days back and I've starved the main one of fuel, killing it altogether..

Also, what's the best way to remove the underbody pump? I've taken the M8 bolt off the body bracket that goes up over the top of the pump cage, which came off ok (ish), and I've also removed the clip off the end of the feed to the pump. The 10mm bolt on the rubber mount won't undo - I don't want to overdo it as it seems the rubber thing is glued in place and will rip off if I do, but there's no slot in the threaded bit to hold it still. Dremel?
Also, is it best to undo the pipe that goes between pump and accumulator at the pump end or the accumulator end where there's more space? Planning on doing the rest later tonight.

Any ideas on sources for a new pump? I guess due to the pressure, taking the old one apart and fixing isn't an option..

Thanks
Andy

[si1856]

I had a very similar issue with my car although it hadn't run for years. I started by bridging the 2 large connectors on the fuse box where the pump relay would sit to make sure it wasn't a relay fault. I checked for fuel flow out of the lift pump and then at the fuel delivery pipe going to the filter. If there is no fuel coming out of the lift pump then you know it's that. I also had metering head issues on mine but that's specific to an older car sitting for many a year I guess. Goodluck matey.

[frankerooney]

Cool, thanks. Sounds like the lift pump is linked to the main pump in the front fuse box then. Looking on ebay there are all sorts of pumps ranging from 35 quid to over £100. Some are 4 bar, some 6, who knows..!
Cheers
Andy

[frankerooney]

Arrg, who designed this flippin thing? Everything is that darn rusted up.
I've ground (with extinguisher at hand) rusted nuts off the cage successfully but now can't get the banjo fitting off the end of the pump. Whoever designed it didn't give anything much to grab on to. There's a 19mm banjo end nut, and 17mm thin nut tucked in between the electical connectors which you just can't get a grab onto.
..So cracked, after a lot of hassle, the accumulator pipe to pump off the accumulator end and found it's been rubbing on the cage mount for ages, almost right through. Anyone have any spares they'd be happy to sell me?
Left it peeing petrol into a bucket and run away to sulk for a bit.

There certainly ain't a lot of room in there, no idea how I'll get it all back together!
Anyone got any ideas on how I can do it better?

[dozzum]

crazyquiffs do replacement pipes.