Fuel pump / gauge problem

Hello, only me, I have another small problem, but want to thank everyone who gave advise on my glow plug problem .
I think that I have mentioned the problem before whilst chatting about other issues, but need to sort it now. The old girl seems to run lows on fuel when it does below half a tank on the gauge.
I haver had problems with other vehicles and plant,where the pick up pipe fractures, & so plays up whenever the fuel dropped below that level. Is there a similar pipe in the P38 tank? & if so is there a cheap fix and easiest way of doing it!
Gaz S

It'll be the in-tank fuel pump. Pretty common for them to go. I believe the injection pump will draw enough fuel from a full tank but once you get below a certain level it can't cope. Had the same issue on mine and changed the pump. You've got two options, remove the tank from the vehicle and change it or carefully cut a hole in your boot floor to get access to it in-situ. There's plenty of write-ups on it. I went for the easy "cut a hole" approach, takes about an hour to do.

Ok, thanks, will try and do a bit of research.

Gaz5535 said:

Ok, thanks, will try and do a bit of research.

Click to expand...

The info for cutting should be in the "How To" section, look for a post by canyon.
Better to drop the tank and check the brake pipes at the same time as they rust away and burst.

Datatek said:

The info for cutting should be in the "How To" section, look for a post by canyon.
Better to drop the tank and check the brake pipes at the same time as they rust away and burst.

Click to expand...

Ok chap, thanks I will have alook at that, how long would you say that it takes to drop the tank? Are there any obvious pitfalls associated with the job, also what is the best source of a pump if mine can't be repaired?

Gaz5535 said:

Ok chap, thanks I will have alook at that, how long would you say that it takes to drop the tank? Are there any obvious pitfalls associated with the job, also what is the best source of a pump if mihe can't be repaired?

Click to expand...

Not that long, if it's got plenty of fuel in you may have trouble balancing it on a trolley jack. I got mine from Foundary 4X4 of South Wales but Island 4X4 do them so a bit of research on the web. I would avoid ****parts myself. If you go for a new pump then get the nuts and olives as well. I tried to repair the old pump after I replaced it without success.

tomcat59alan said:

Not that long, if it's got plenty of fuel in you may have trouble balancing it on a trolley jack. I got mine from Foundary 4X4 of South Wales but Island 4X4 do them so a bit of research on the web. I would avoid ****parts myself. If you go for a new pump then get the nuts and olives as well. I tried to repair the old pump after I replaced it without success.

Click to expand...

Bit of a bitch if it's full. But you could punch an hole in the bottom to drain it and then stop it up with chewing gum.

wammers said:

Bit of a bitch if it's full. But you could punch an hole in the bottom to drain it and then stop it up with chewing gum.

Click to expand...

Somebody will believe you, ya bugger

tomcat59alan said:

Somebody will believe you, ya bugger

Click to expand...

Not a goer anyway, you need Black Sambo gum to match tank colour and they don't sell it anymore for some reason.

Good job I am not gulable, as I know that you can use any colour bubble gum for such jobs!

I have just found some fuel pump/senders on flebay for about £45 c/w nuts and olives. Does that sound about right?

Gaz5535 said:

I have just found some fuel pump/senders on flebay for about £45 c/w nuts and olives. Does that sound about right?

Click to expand...

Sounds like cheap crap to me. This is OEM and minimum you should be considering. Fuel Pump BMW T.D (VDO) ESR1111G Island 4x4 - Specialists in Land Rover and Range Rover Parts and accessories for all models. UK and worldwide mail order.

wammers said:

Sounds like cheap crap to me. This is OEM and minimum you should be considering. Fuel Pump BMW T.D (VDO) ESR1111G Island 4x4 - Specialists in Land Rover and Range Rover Parts and accessories for all models. UK and worldwide mail order.

Click to expand...

How long do the 'chocolate ' ones last? I have used Island before, so I will get a price of them later of ring Dingocroft as they are in High Wycombe.

How long do you have to chew the gum for?

Gaz5535 said:

How long do the 'chocolate ' ones last? I have used Island before, so I will get a price of them later of ring Dingocroft as they are in High Wycombe.

Click to expand...

One day longer than the warranty