2.5 DSE, fuel pump maybe?

Hello peoples, hope you're all enjoying this very fine weather.
Not been on here for a week or so due to actually having some work .
Booked the P38 in for it's MOT on Wednesday so thought I would pop to the workshop for a couple of hours today to do some bits... She's not been started for a few weeks due to working away but fired straight up, champion! Left her running for a few minutes, jumped in to have a quick drive around the compound and spluttered and cut out, felt like fuel starvation..... Run the battery flat trying to start her so had to go and get the jumper, jumper connected and she eventually barked up. Left her to get to temp and all good, then ran her around the whole industrial estate (Closed secure compound off road) and drove brilliantly and accelerated with no issues, pulled up out side my workshop and again spluttered and died! Had a quick look and noticed air in the clear pipe after the filter, now I have just changed the filter and yes it was a Britpart one but I've never had issues with Britpart, lightly greased the rubber O ring so I'm fairly confident that that's not the problem. Researched on here and spill pipes seems to be the number 1 problem so will replace them tomorrow, however, most of the issues that people have had are fuel run back so air in the pipe and cold starting, mine is that it cut out while running both when cold and hot. Am I right to assume that there is a lift pump somewhere? And if I am right (unusual I know), could this be failing and causing the issue? Any word of wisdom?
As always, many thanks in advance...

Ay up, there is indeed a lift pump.
Look in the fuse box under the bonnet and there is a rely for the said pump. You can bridge it and you should here it running from the tank. If not it's pooped. If it's pooped don't buy the cheap one... Buy the VDO unit.!!

Not unusual at all. Known failure item. There's a guide to test them in the tech section.

9.9 times out of 10 it’s the spill pipes. Decent stuff that lasts is hard to come by these days. Either put small zip ties or some heat shrink over the ends helps. Only the ends tend to go. If you have plenty of length on them chop them down to see if it makes a difference.

Thank you guys, will get on to it tomorrow and report back.
Love this forum

Rallymantony said:

Thank you guys, will get on to it tomorrow and report back.
Love this forum

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We luv you too

If its the lift pump, go for the VDO unit with new pipes and olives, its the steel pipes on top that corrode. It's not a bad job to drop the tank if you drain enough fuel out. Worst part is getting the bolts undone for the tank strap, but copious amounts of plus gas will see them come loose. I did it on my drive in 2 hours, but would advise using a ramp where possible.

If its the spill pipes, treat yourself to a set of Bosch glow plugs whilst you've got the inlet off. If they're like mine they'll have gone all brittle on the ends and are a fiddle to get off. At least with the inlet off you've plenty of room to work.

Thank you guys.
Been looking at a few vids on Youface and it seems that most people suggest cutting through the floor under the rear seat?! Seems a bit barbaric to be honest, what's your thoughts?

Rallymantony said:

Thank you guys.
Been looking at a few vids on Youface and it seems that most people suggest cutting through the floor under the rear seat?! Seems a bit barbaric to be honest, what's your thoughts?

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not fond of the idea myself. Seems like a bodge way to do it when in reality it’s 5 nuts/bolts and a few hose connections to drop the tank. Not sure I’d want sparks anywhere near the pump on a diesel never mind a V8.

D2206 said:

not fond of the idea myself. Seems like a bodge way to do it when in reality it’s 5 nuts/bolts and a few hose connections to drop the tank. Not sure I’d want sparks anywhere near the pump on a diesel never mind a V8.

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Indeed, my thoughts too, think I'll opt for dropping the tank first and see how it goes.

Rallymantony said:

Thank you guys.
Been looking at a few vids on Youface and it seems that most people suggest cutting through the floor under the rear seat?! Seems a bit barbaric to be honest, what's your thoughts?

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Dropping the tank also gives better access to the brake pipes if they have not been changed already.
and you may want to change the rubber pipe from the tank to the filler neck 51mm id 100mm long i have some i got from thinkautomotive if your stuck.

No need to take manifold off for spills. They go over top

brianp38dse said:

Dropping the tank also gives better access to the brake pipes if they have not been changed already.
and you may want to change the rubber pipe from the tank to the filler neck 51mm id 100mm long i have some i got from thinkautomotive if your stuck.

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Thanks Brian, appreciate it.

RangeRoller dt said:

No need to take manifold off for spills. They go over top
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Excellent, thanks Rangeroller

Rallymantony said:

Indeed, my thoughts too, think I'll opt for dropping the tank first and see how it goes.

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If you've got access to a ramp i'd advise using it. But with enough clearance its possible on the drive. Took me less than 40 mins to drop the tank.

Would second don't buy the cheap pump....... don't ask how I know...... fitted a VDO pump second time. Both times dropped the tank. But you do need to lift the car up to get the tank out from under the car. Think I managed to drive it up on some concrete blocks. Good luck with it.

Yep, fuel pump knackered. Dropped the tank with no real issues, took me just over an hour, most of that time was trying to undo the bloody filler neck to rubber hose clamp!! New pump ordered which should be with me tomorrow but banking on Thursday, then off for an MOT..

Thanks again you lovely people

Jerseyp38 said:

Would second don't buy the cheap pump....... don't ask how I know...... fitted a VDO pump second time. Both times dropped the tank. But you do need to lift the car up to get the tank out from under the car. Think I managed to drive it up on some concrete blocks. Good luck with it.

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You opened a manhole and parked over it like a pit iirc?

Rallymantony said:

Yep, fuel pump knackered. Dropped the tank with no real issues, took me just over an hour, most of that time was trying to undo the bloody filler neck to rubber hose clamp!! New pump ordered which should be with me tomorrow but banking on Thursday, then off for an MOT..

Thanks again you lovely people

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What's the brake pipes like?

tomcat59alan said:

What's the brake pipes like?

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Forgot to look.............