P38 D Fuel Supply-Advice.

[TAKdriver]

Hi Folks
P 38 1997 2.5 D
Cruising happily on the motorway yesterday when engine cut out and died on me : quickly ID fuel as problem. Many bucks and the back of a recovery truck later I am going round the system.
Looks like tank out job.....BUT she started this morning enabling me to get her into the garage from the middle of the yard where she was dropped.

ADVICE : have removed fuel filter : got spouse to switch on ignition. No fuel comes out. I assume that when the ignition is switched on that fuel should pour out bigtime ?( unless there is any form of safety islation which would prevent flow if filter was off ?)
As will be obvious I am simply working back hoping I don't have to drop tank but not optimistic.
I have printed off masses of stuff from other threads where similar problems encountered and as always am grateful for the advice they contain.
Any additional advice or comments appreciated.

 

[TAKdriver]

Sorry : a second question : is there anything within the filter head/heater which could be capable of restricting fuel flow ?

 

[gtland]

Sorry no bright ideas here..... Tank out...? But check you`re getting power to pump first maybe? Maybe hot wire pump to check it`s running?

 

[gemsdad]

Sorry : a second question : is there anything within the filter head/heater which could be capable of restricting fuel flow ?

no it is just a fuel heater as far as i know.

 

[p38on22s]

had a similar thing happen to me it turned out the air filter was totally blocked and engine tried to suck it out of the housing causing it to die coasted to side of road looked at fuel filter as that was my thoughts that was ok tried to start it got it going after half hour (good by rr standards) but when i drove it was right down on power it wasnt till i got home my old man said check air filter and that was the problem been ok ever since... good luck

 

[TAKdriver]

Sorry no bright ideas here..... Tank out...? But check you`re getting power to pump first maybe? Maybe hot wire pump to check it`s running?

Worth a thought. I've checked the relay by swapping with a known working relay : I have established that fuel is not getting to filter not only on Ignition pos.2 but also on turnover therefore tank pump unit not operating.

Does anybody know if tank unit is serviceable ?
I suppose it might be gunged up : don't remember seeing the power source to tank when I was under but wasn't looking for that.
Worth trying a hot wire.

 

[TAKdriver]

no it is just a fuel heater as far as i know.

Superficial check suggests you're right. Ta

 

[gavbriggs]

ive heard of the pickup tubes coming adrift and not enabling fuel to be picked up.

you would prolly hear it straining tho if it were.

 

[gemsdad]

ive heard of the pickup tubes coming adrift and not enabling fuel to be picked up.

you would prolly hear it straining tho if it were.

oi gav,stick to yer petrol engines and leave the best ones to us will ya.

 

[SpudH]

Hi Folks
P 38 1997 2.5 D


ADVICE : have removed fuel filter : got spouse to switch on ignition. No fuel comes out. I assume that when the ignition is switched on that fuel should pour out bigtime ?( unless there is any form of safety islation which would prevent flow if filter was off ?)
Any additional advice or comments appreciated.

Yeah you should get a serious flow of fuel. Mine threw 80litres of diesel out on the road in 15 minutes when the seal on the filter blew. i only copped it when the fuel light came on having filled it twenty minutes earlier.

There is a fuel isolator in case of crash, its beside the accelerator pedal behind the kick panel on the drivers side. Check the drivers manual, its shown in it.

If you've no fuel at the filter its got to be one or the other. The fuel pump is a bit of a bitch but I did it by the book on my front drive in half a day. Others do it a lot quicker by cutting a hole in the floor.

 

[TAKdriver]

Yeah you should get a serious flow of fuel. Mine threw 80litres of diesel out on the road in 15 minutes when the seal on the filter blew. i only copped it when the fuel light came on having filled it twenty minutes earlier.

There is a fuel isolator in case of crash, its beside the accelerator pedal behind the kick panel on the drivers side. Check the drivers manual, its shown in it.

If you've no fuel at the filter its got to be one or the other. The fuel pump is a bit of a bitch but I did it by the book on my front drive in half a day. Others do it a lot quicker by cutting a hole in the floor.

Anybody know anybody whose tried the hole in the floor route ? It has certain attractions !

 

[gtland]

Can certainly see the attraction... How about trying to syphon some fuel out and look at it? If mucky you know its a definate tank out job...if clean...? Well just 5 minutes and a bad taste in the mouth!

 

[gemsdad]

Can certainly see the attraction... How about trying to syphon some fuel out and look at it? If mucky you know its a definate tank out job...if clean...? Well just 5 minutes and a bad taste in the mouth!

thats what i tell the wife.

 

[TAKdriver]

Can certainly see the attraction... How about trying to syphon some fuel out and look at it? If mucky you know its a definate tank out job...if clean...? Well just 5 minutes and a bad taste in the mouth!

I'm still working on that one : we have don't need to drink that stuff up here in Scotlandshire.
(Just pull the out line and open the fuel cap.)

 

[the hooded claw]

I'm still working on that one

Just tell her its good fer wrinkles & it tastes like Actimel !!!!

 

[TAKdriver]

Went in through the floor today thanks to your suggestion Spud.
A million times easier than by the book. Looks like there might be a crack in the motro unit in the pump. I had it out and ran it in a bucket : it's temporarily returned awaiting arrival of new pump.

 

[TAKdriver]

no it is just a fuel heater as far as i know.

Thanks for your help Gemsdad. I'm ready for the replacement.