TD4 in tank pump possible alternative!!!

Ok, this is my experience and I take no reponsibility for any damage or trouble caused.

For the last 3-4 months my in tank pump has been failing, usually wouldn't start until I hit the top of the sender unit a good thump, sometimes engine would would cut out while driving, again, I'd hit the top of the sender unit a thump ( always have the cover removed over the sender unit) engine would then start again.

Yesterday, it died altogether in the middle of a town, had to get out and push it down a street to find somewhere to park it, had a sore F*cking hand from thumping the top of the sender unit, alas no go, took the pump/sender unit out of the car on the side of the street, with little or no tools, wife picked me up and brought me home.

Money is VERY tight with me, and can't afford to buy a new pump, already checked the local breakers, none available.

Checked pump on a battery and it was dead, completely open circuit when tested with a multi meter.

Now what do I do???????????

Remembered I had an old petrol pump from a 1996 Fiat cinquecento lying in a drawer (1.1 litre petrol), I compared the pumps, fiat one is 4-5mm smaller diameter, 10mm or so longer than the Landy one.

Fiat pump has a MINIMUM flow rate of 121 litre/hour, shut off pressure 4 bar.

It physically fits (although a bit looseley), electrical connections are identical.

With nothing to lose, I fitted it into the freelander pump/sender unit housing.

Drove the 25 miles to where the Freelander was broken down, fitted it.

It F*CKING WORKS, drove the freelander home (25 miles), 80mph up steepish hills, no problem.

At the moment I'm only delighted.

These FIAT pumps are fitted to : Cinquecentos, Seicentos, Puntos, Pandas, probably Bravos and I wouldn't be surprised if the 500 has them also, I remember replacing one before for €80 for a punto with 130k miles on it.

The pump I've just installed in my TD4 Freelander is a Walbro MSS070.

I hope this helps somebody, as the pump I have fitted is very very common!!

Now that's the kind of story a Scotsman likes to hear. :cheer2:

Makes an old Aberdonian smile so it does.

Well, well done. raise:

Thanks Singvogel, these pumps seem to cause big problems, apparently mine was changed just before I bought the freelander in January, I know that the Fiat pump is quit reliable.
Unfortunately, I'm more of a reader than a writer when it comes to the net, but I reckon with times being tight, it would be nice even if this post only helps one poor F*cker

Mcgyver said:

Ok, this is my experience and I take no reponsibility for any damage or trouble caused.

For the last 3-4 months my in tank pump has been failing, usually wouldn't start until I hit the top of the sender unit a good thump, sometimes engine would would cut out while driving, again, I'd hit the top of the sender unit a thump ( always have the cover removed over the sender unit) engine would then start again.

Yesterday, it died altogether in the middle of a town, had to get out and push it down a street to find somewhere to park it, had a sore F*cking hand from thumping the top of the sender unit, alas no go, took the pump/sender unit out of the car on the side of the street, with little or no tools, wife picked me up and brought me home.

Money is VERY tight with me, and can't afford to buy a new pump, already checked the local breakers, none available.

Checked pump on a battery and it was dead, completely open circuit when tested with a multi meter.

Now what do I do???????????

Remembered I had an old petrol pump from a 1996 Fiat cinquecento lying in a drawer (1.1 litre petrol), I compared the pumps, fiat one is 4-5mm smaller diameter, 10mm or so longer than the Landy one.

Fiat pump has a MINIMUM flow rate of 121 litre/hour, shut off pressure 4 bar.

It physically fits (although a bit looseley), electrical connections are identical.

With nothing to lose, I fitted it into the freelander pump/sender unit housing.

Drove the 25 miles to where the Freelander was broken down, fitted it.

It F*CKING WORKS, drove the freelander home (25 miles), 80mph up steepish hills, no problem.

At the moment I'm only delighted.

These FIAT pumps are fitted to : Cinquecentos, Seicentos, Puntos, Pandas, probably Bravos and I wouldn't be surprised if the 500 has them also, I remember replacing one before for €80 for a punto with 130k miles on it.

The pump I've just installed in my TD4 Freelander is a Walbro MSS070.

I hope this helps somebody, as the pump I have fitted is very very common!!

Click to expand...

hi i had this with an early ford mondeo with the tdci engine, it had a lift pump under the r/h wheel arch all i did on this was to join the fuel pipes to bypass the electric lift pump and it started and ran fine with no problems, ford stopped fitting the lift pumps after about a year or two so the mechanical pump must be up to the job of lifting the fuel.maybe should have tried this on my td4 as replaced lift pump 2 months ago due to none starting

Hi Mickymck,
From what I can see (looking through rave), the in tank pump seems to be a jockey pump for the one under the bonnet, as it has less flow, but greater pressure than the under bonnet pump, don't forget, there is infact 3 pumps, in tank, under bonnet, and injector pump attached to engine.

Mcgyver said:

Hi Mickymck,
From what I can see (looking through rave), the in tank pump seems to be a jockey pump for the one under the bonnet, as it has less flow, but greater pressure than the under bonnet pump, don't forget, there is infact 3 pumps, in tank, under bonnet, and injector pump attached to engine.

Click to expand...

yeh sorry mine is the 2004 td4 with only the under arch pump and injector pump on engine.mondeo was the same only the two pumps