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Broke down!
Slater - 26/11/25 at 11:03 AM

My car conked out when driving along country lane back in October, I thought I'd run out of fuel, but then realised I couldn't hear the fuel pump running! Called Autoaid, and got car towed 8 miles home, I had to pay an extra £25 as the car is over 10 yrs old, but was happy with the service and they came out within 1 hr.

So the bike fuel pump I'd got from Bogg Bros 18 yrs ago with their re-conditioned bike carbs had failed, it had done 20,000 miles, so can't complain really. After contacting Bogg Bros, they said original replacement pumps are about £450 now! so they offered a Facet Posi-Flo fuel pump along with some 8mm hose barbs, & bobbins for £92 delivered. I also got a new a new filter and made a bracket from some ali angle/plate and used the old mounting holes. Fitted it all yesterday and now back up and running.


[img] break down Oct 25
break down Oct 25
[/img]


[img] fuel pump removed Oct 25
fuel pump removed Oct 25
[/img]


[img] new fuel pump Nov 25
new fuel pump Nov 25
[/img]


Mr Whippy - 26/11/25 at 11:57 AM

Why £25 extra? are cars less than 10 years old easier to work on or lighter... sounds like a rip off. especially just 8 miles from home!

Did you have a pre-pump filter fitted as they tend to protect the pump. 20k miles, na that's not very much really, would you be happy your tin top failed at that?

With old car, I actually carry a spare pump, carb, coil and dizzy but it is an easy car to fix at the side of the road. On old cars like that they often have a sealed compartment in the engine bay to keep half a spare engine in, very handy.


nick205 - 26/11/25 at 12:52 PM

£25 charge for a +10 yr car seems a little harsh.
Charge you that in the sign-up fee and be done with it.

I know some break down policies refuse cars 20+ yrs old (or charge a significant premium).

End of the day, they got you and your car home with what sounds like minimal fuss.


Slater - 26/11/25 at 02:08 PM

Hi, the autoaid was £75/yr to cover me and wife in any vehicle, but there is £25 fee per call out if car is over 10 yrs. I've only used them this once in last 10 yrs, so value is fine by me.

and yep I did have a filter fitted before the pump, I'm going to dismantle the old one to see if I can find root cause of the failure.


nick205 - 26/11/25 at 03:10 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Slater
Hi, the autoaid was £75/yr to cover me and wife in any vehicle, but there is £25 fee per call out if car is over 10 yrs. I've only used them this once in last 10 yrs, so value is fine by me.

and yep I did have a filter fitted before the pump, I'm going to dismantle the old one to see if I can find root cause of the failure.



Similar annual cost for Rescue My Car for me, SWMBO & eldest son in any vehicle.
Eldest son added to policy when he started driving.
SWMBOs car has no spare wheel so recovery seemed a safer option.


Slater - 27/11/25 at 09:44 AM

Update: after taking the old pump apart, it seems like there is a set of contact points at the "dry" end to operate the solenoid and they needed a clean, so it's back together and working again now, wrapped up in plastic bag, so I'll keep it in the car as a spare.....


nick205 - 27/11/25 at 11:55 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Slater
Update: after taking the old pump apart, it seems like there is a set of contact points at the "dry" end to operate the solenoid and they needed a clean, so it's back together and working again now, wrapped up in plastic bag, so I'll keep it in the car as a spare.....



Nice work, worth looking and fixing to have a spare/backup.

So many folks these days just bin stuff.

My washing machine rattles along with perseverance and spares


gremlin1234 - 27/11/25 at 12:20 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Slater
Update: after taking the old pump apart, it seems like there is a set of contact points at the "dry" end to operate the solenoid and they needed a clean, so it's back together and working again now, wrapped up in plastic bag, so I'll keep it in the car as a spare.....

the old low pressure SU pumps were like this, and often a little percussive maintenance would attain an interim fix.


jacko - 27/11/25 at 05:45 PM

Or a hit with a hammer


gremlin1234 - 27/11/25 at 06:29 PM

quote:
Originally posted by jacko
Or a hit with a hammer
yes that is percussive maintenance, and anything is a hammer.