Help confirm diagnosis of diesel problem - non Landy

My neighbour has a Toyota engined forklift. It died this morning and he suspected that there was no fuel. Filled up with a couple of gallons and it won't start.

The lift pump look like this one.



With the pipe from that to the filter disconnected at the filter I can pump that piston and get drips to come out where I'd expect small spurts. The piston doesn't really feel like it's pumping a liquid. I've turned the crankshaft to make sure that the cam is not hindering the piston pump.

Turning the engine over on the starter, nothing comes out.

Do we conclude that the lift pump is dead? Is there any truth in the story that running a diesel tank empty 'sucks' all the dirt up' and could that have blocked the pump? This is a forklift on a flat floor, so high speed bumpy corners won't be slooshing fuel around.

Your in to a few pump issues at the moment!
I replaced my lift pump a few weeks ago as I thought it was on it's way out. Once off I pressed the lever (cam follower) and a jet of fuel shot out. From one gentle press. In situe and running it must shift some fuel, my point being that it would surely take some blocking. That's a LR 300 Tdi one anyway. He's not 100% sure he ran out of fuel, so maybe he was very low when the lift pump packed in. Sounds like he might have ran out before with no issues? Are those lift pumps pricey?

Have I got Alzheimer's? I can't remember any other pump problems - unless you're talking about my broken heart?

Yes, it was the neighbour suggesting blockage - I don't really buy the 'you must never run a diesel tank low because you'll suck all the dirt up' thing.

Thing is that I hate diesels, and try to avoid working on 'em, but every one that I have had to bleed from the manual lever has felt like it's actually doing something. On this one the only resistance seems to be its own spring.

I don't think they're very expensive, but I'm having a bit of trouble with the identity. Toyota UK are being extremely helpful though.

Could there be a split pipe before the pump, causing it to suck air.

I imagine it's sucked up **** in the pipe in the tank, probably a slug of diesel bug!

boguing said:

Have I got Alzheimer's? I can't remember any other pump problems - unless you're talking about my broken heart?

Yes, it was the neighbour suggesting blockage - I don't really buy the 'you must never run a diesel tank low because you'll suck all the dirt up' thing.

Thing is that I hate diesels, and try to avoid working on 'em, but every one that I have had to bleed from the manual lever has felt like it's actually doing something. On this one the only resistance seems to be its own spring.

I don't think they're very expensive, but I'm having a bit of trouble with the identity. Toyota UK are being extremely helpful though.

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Haha, sorry mate. Thought I could remember a post from you about an injection pump. It's my age!

RubyRR said:

Could there be a split pipe before the pump, causing it to suck air.

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Good thought - I'll check it.

freelance said:

I imagine it's sucked up **** in the pipe in the tank, probably a slug of diesel bug!

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Oh yes. Those slugs get everywhere!

Al2O3 said:

Haha, sorry mate. Thought I could remember a post from you about an injection pump. It's my age!

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I may well have written one. Was it helpful?

Bloody hell. The FIP question was by a new member called dogdog1 Looks a bit like boguing, don't you think?
How do you pronounce boguing?

Al2O3 said:

Bloody hell. The FIP question was by a new member called dogdog1 Looks a bit like boguing, don't you think?

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What - short fat and balding?

Al2O3 said:

How do you pronounce boguing?

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The verb bogue rhymes with rogue.