Humbug
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| posted on 4/6/10 at 08:22 AM |
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Can a b*ggered fuel pump cause fuses to blow?
I was doing an autotest yesterday evening - on a bit of a bumpy grass field. While queuing for one test I noticed that the fuel pump seemed a bit
noisy but it drove OK.
I finished one set of cones and drove over to the start of the next one and the engine coughed and spluttered, then stalled. Wouldn't restart.
Checked the fuel level and there was some, but not very much, left. Got a lift to a petrol station, got 10 litres and came back and filled up - still
nothing. Then I checked the fuses and found that one of three marked Ignition had blown. No problem, I had some spares. New fuse, engine started OK on
idle but as soon as I tried to move off it conked out. Another new fuse, started it and left to idle for a minute; moved off and it stalled. Another
new fuse (a higher rating because I had run out of the others), left it idling for several minutes, revved with the throttle cable - everything OK. I
started off on a short drive round the field before the next test... this time got about 50 metres before it died again. At that point I gave up,
rolled down the hill to the main road and called the recovery service.
Any thoughts as to the cause? My first was that running low on fuel allowed the fuel pump to go dry and seize up then when trying to restart it blew
the circuit. However, I would have thought that a fuel pump runs at a constant speed (regardless of throttle position) so it is unclear why the fuse
should blow only when moving off.
Also, the fuel pump seems to be running OK before moving off, as the engine runs OK, so must be getting enough fuel.
Other thoughts: loose wire somewhere which earths when moving off because of movement/jolting of the car?
Obviously I haven't had time to investigate in detail yet, but tomorrow's first task will be to check all wires on the blown circuit to
see if there is any physical problem.
If that doesn't solve it, is there a way of testing the fuel pump? Take off the outlet and see if fuel comes out [while smoking a fag  ... no,
not really!]?
Any (sensible) suggestions gratefully received.
Cheers.
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turbodisplay
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| posted on 4/6/10 at 08:32 AM |
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Have you checked that the contacts are clean for the fuse, i have had fuses melt due to this.
I had a pump sieze, take out the fuse, melt case and leak fuel so could be the pump.
Darren
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NOTE:This user is registered as a LocostBuilders trader and may offer commercial services to other users
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Ben_Copeland
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| posted on 4/6/10 at 08:34 AM |
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My initial thoughts are that the fuel pump is knackered, it could be that it's supplying enough fuel to idle but as soon as your need that
little bit extra it can't cope and the engine stalls.
It sounds about right in my head lol
Ben
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mad4x4
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| posted on 4/6/10 at 09:41 AM |
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Crap or air in the Fuel ?
Also high pressure fuel pumps have a relief valve in them if this has lifted then it may not be re-seated letting the fuel pass back to the LP side of
the pump..... With car or idle the car is getting jsut enough fuel but because of a failing or faulty pump then the car can get the pressure of the
flow to run.....
DOes this car have carbs or injection >?
[Edited on 4/606/10 by mad4x4]
Scot's do it better in Kilts.
MK INDY's Don't Self Centre Regardless of MK Setting !
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Humbug
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| posted on 4/6/10 at 11:47 AM |
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Injection (1.4 K series) on standard ECU, manifold etc. The pump I've got on there at the moment is a Bosch something or other - whatever Mark
Fisher was recommending for K-series Furys at the time (2005).
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pewe
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| posted on 4/6/10 at 11:52 AM |
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Strangely enough I've similar problems with mine.
Do you know if the pump is designed to run in-tank or externally?
I've used an internal one externally (don't ask) with a one-way valve just up-stream of the pump to stop it draining back. It's
mounted just above the tank and worked fine for a year but on Wed. in the hot weather it started buzzing something rotten - presumably prior to
seizing. Maybe yours is suffering partial seizure?
My theory is that you can get away with that set-up providing the pump doesn't overheat.
I've now ordered up an external pump which will hopefully cure the problem.
HTH.
Cheers, Pewe 
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Humbug
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| posted on 4/6/10 at 12:34 PM |
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It's external (and designed to be), mounted just in front/below the bottom of the tank, so it shouldn't be running dry.
As I said, it was making a bit of a noise - more than normal - before I lost power completely, so maybe the pump has just had it
[Edited on 04.06.2010 by Humbug]
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