Fuel pump gone?

Andybtsn · 25 Oct 2013 at 17:55

Hi guys,

I have a 99' Fiesta that I use for as a run around. The car had worked fine prior to going on holiday for three weeks, I got back yesterday and went to use the car, it started fine. I realised there was hardly any petrol in it so drove to the nearest station, about 10 miles away. I got near the station and went up a small hill to park as I needed something from a nearby shop. I went back to the car, the engine turns over but will not start, I thought it could be the fuel level so put some in with the tank I had in the boot and no joy. I left it for a while and it nearly started but just spluttered for around 10 seconds and died again.

Does it appear the pump has died?

Cheers

mejinks · 25 Oct 2013 at 18:31

its sucked up crud from the bottom of the tank. You should probably replace the fuel filter as well as clean the fuel pump/

ganesh · 25 Oct 2013 at 18:37

mejinks said:
its sucked up crud from the bottom of the tank. You should probably replace the fuel filter as well as clean the fuel pump/

What crud?

Scania · 25 Oct 2013 at 18:49

ganesh said:
What crud?

The crud that accumulates in the bottom of most vehicles fuel tanks over time, especially a 14 year old fiesta!

I've had a similar issue with far newer vehicles.....

Don't let the tank run too low imo.

ShakenNstirred · 25 Oct 2013 at 18:54

cant see it being crud
where is the car now?
get it on level ground and try it again

Boycey0211 · 25 Oct 2013 at 18:54

aren't most fuel tanks bottom feeding to prevent that?? I've got a car from 1966 and even thats a 'bottom feeder'

GravyMonster · 25 Oct 2013 at 18:54

Careful, last time anyone mentioned swarf being dragged through the engine when running low on fuel we had 10 frothing at the mouth posts of OMG THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN ON MODERN ENGINES!!!111eleventy.

Andybtsn · 25 Oct 2013 at 18:55

It's on level ground now and still the same.

I don't let it run low often, all seems a strange coincidence that I haven't used it for a while.

Howard · 25 Oct 2013 at 19:10

mejinks said:
its sucked up crud from the bottom of the tank. You should probably replace the fuel filter as well as clean the fuel pump/

Scania said:
The crud that accumulates in the bottom of most vehicles fuel tanks over time, especially a 14 year old fiesta!

I've had a similar issue with far newer vehicles.....

Don't let the tank run too low imo.

Where does all this "crud" come from? And how is it getting past the fuel filter?

mejinks · 25 Oct 2013 at 19:14

Howard said:
Where does all this "crud" come from? And how is it getting past the fuel filter?

From experience, it comes from Petrol tanks at filling stations being contaminated. I took the fuel pump out of my old e36 and was amazed at how much crud there was in there.

However, I bow to all the armchair mechanics out there who think they know better.

BigglesPiP · 25 Oct 2013 at 19:57

You can sometimes get those working again by smacking the bottom of the tank (and thus the pump). It also might not work at 12V (battery) but may work at 14V (alternator), so bumping it might yield success.

But you probably need a pump...

Edit:

I assume you have tried putting fuel in it...

You should also be able to hear the pump prime when you turn the ignition on if at least it's motor is turning.

ShakenNstirred · 25 Oct 2013 at 19:58

you may have damaged the in tank pump
they don't like running dry

Clarkson · 25 Oct 2013 at 22:45

Think I had the same problem on a 98 fiesta a few years ago. Sometimes lifting the back seat bench up and giving it a wack would work. I think in the end though it was replaced. Can't remember too well though.

andy_mk3 · 25 Oct 2013 at 22:50

How long have you tried cranking it? I've run out a few times and it's always taken a while to start again afterwards as it takes a while to get the fuel up again.

Crud in the tank? I've seen inside many tanks through changing fuel pumps or changing the tank, never seen anything bad in any of them, even on old high milers.

Andybtsn · 27 Oct 2013 at 19:08

It was the fuse! Doh.

ShakenNstirred · 27 Oct 2013 at 19:13

Andybtsn said:
It was the fuse! Doh.

lol
well at least it sorted cheaply

Janesy B · 27 Oct 2013 at 19:17

For god's sake, the in tank pump sits in a swirl pot and it has a filter over the intake and yet another filter on the fuel line. I dropped the tank out of my 1998 Fiesta when it was 10 years old and it was virtually spotless inside.

It feeds from the bottom anyway, if there's crap in the tank it'll suck it up regardless.

mejinks said:
From experience, it comes from Petrol tanks at filling stations being contaminated. I took the fuel pump out of my old e36 and was amazed at how much crud there was in there.

However, I bow to all the armchair mechanics out there who think they know better.

Andybtsn said:
It was the fuse! Doh.

Heh.

andy_mk3 · 27 Oct 2013 at 19:20

Janesy B said:
For god's sake, the in tank pump sits in a swirl pot and it has a filter over the intake and yet another filter on the fuel line. I dropped the tank out of my 1998 Fiesta when it was 10 years old and it was virtually spotless inside.

At least someone knows

mejinks · 27 Oct 2013 at 21:31

Janesy B said:
For god's sake, the in tank pump sits in a swirl pot and it has a filter over the intake and yet another filter on the fuel line. I dropped the tank out of my 1998 Fiesta when it was 10 years old and it was virtually spotless inside.

It feeds from the bottom anyway, if there's crap in the tank it'll suck it up regardless.

Heh.

and the crap it sucked up was all caked around and on the fuel pump filter?

oh wait, i must have made it up yeah :rolleyes:

Janesy B · 27 Oct 2013 at 22:10

Yeah probably.