fuel pump wont pump - car stuck on drive

guys - Im afraid Im reposting this on the defender section in desperation. Already posted in RR section but think they're all L322 and P38 guys.

Just fitted a new fuel pump to my 1983 rangie 3.5v8 on carbs. Its the facet type bolted to the rear outrigger on the passenger side. Trouble is its ticking away but not pumping fuel to the carbs. I assume I need to prime it but cant work out how. Can some one give me some tips please. tried a search but no good. Help much apppreciated as im on hols in uk with kids and car is out of action! bugger.

is it a britpart pump ? as your new pump mite be the problum

Hello,

Facet pumps are generally very good at pushing fuel, but not all to clever when it comes to pulling fuel. There is a dry priming height on most solid state facet pumps - something like 10-20CM above the bottom of the fuel tank(?), although it should be able to draw fuel up and out of your fuel tank if it is mounted at chassis level. I'd strongly suggest that to start with, you dismount the fuel pump and rest it below the level of the fuel (if your fuel hoses are long enough) and then turn on the ignition. If it still doesn't prime, you might want to consider syphoning fuel through the pump. Leave the pump mounted on the chassis rails and insure that your ignition is switched off. Attach a clear length of pipe to the outlet (engine side) of the fuel pump and suck fuel up from the fuel tank, through the pump and then half way up your clear length of pipe. The fuel pump should have a non-return valve inside which will prevent fuel from flowing back to the tank. You can then turn on the ignition and see if it pumps fuel freely.

If the pump still doesn't deliver fuel but you were able to syphon fuel from the tank along the lines then you know that you have a dogey pump. If on the other hand you are unable to syphon fuel from the tank through the pump then you can assume that there is a blockage somewhere, more than likely in the pickup pipe or the pickup pipe gauze if there is one fitted.

-Tom

thanks thats very helpful will give it a shot

Let us know how you get on!

Did you get it sorted?

Pos - went back to it 48 hrs later. took the outlet pipe off ready to attach pipe and suck it through. thought I'll just switch the ignition on and see what happens..... fuel pixxing out all over the floor.. bonus. time and gravity must have pushed the air through. re attached the pipe put choke on and car fired right up. Thanks for help...