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View Full Version : Ran out of fuel, wrecked the pump! Fuel pump access hole made!



glenhendry
11th June 2012, 08:59 AM
I ran out of fuel the other day due to a bad sender unit showing the wrong level. I switched to LPG and drove to a fuel station no problem. I got 98 litres into the tank so it was really empty! After I filled it with premium, it wouldnt start on fuel. No matter how long I cranked it.

There was no pressure at the fuel rail schraeder valve. I switched out the fuel pump relay - no change. The fuel pump fuse was blown, but after replacing it, it still didnt start! I couldnt hear the fuel pump running, but then I never really have. I opened the petrol cap to vent, no improvement. I was getting voltage at the fuel pump connector. With the access hole cut I could hear the pump running, but it must have been too weak to pressurise the system. Either way, running out of fuel is a bad idea, as it finished off my pump, and somehow made the fuel pump fuse blow.

I decided I needed to put another fuel pump in, but I had just filled it with 98 litres which makes it hard to drop the tank down. I have another tank and pump, so I opted to open up the floor under the back seat and access that way. Here are some pics and lessons learned.

Main instructions here (http://www.rangerovers.net/repairdetails/fuelpump4.html)on RR.net.
Excellent pics of the cut dimensions here (http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f10/tank-fuel-pump-template-p38-109368.html).

I cut the carpet with a stanley knife and then cut the insulation out in a square piece. Then I cut the metal floor with a dremel (I went through about 7 crappy little discs) being careful not to go deep and cut any of the fuel tank pipes. Turned out to be no problem. The cutting only took about 1.5 hrs. Then I bent up the new access hole plate and took the hose to it for 15 minutes, to wash all the crud away from the pump retaining ring. Then I used a hair dryer to thoroughly dry the area.

It was easy to get the pump retaining ring off and on without the LR tool, I just used hammer and screwdriver carefully. I reused the existing fuel pump rubber gasket - if it comes off the tank with the pump, remember to put that gasket onto the tank before finalising the pump in its position, you wont be able to get the gasket to sit right if you leave it attached to the pump.

Back to the old fuel filter position question - there is none visible or obvious on the 99+ models. It certainly isnt under the sil like in the GEMS models. I thought there was one in the tank, but I found no such filter in there.

So it fired up after the new pump went in, and the fuel gauge works again! Also, I have a tidy access hole for the next pump to be changed. :)

Here is the alternate link for the pics (https://picasaweb.google.com/105878078807082914833/RRP38FuelPumpReplacementJune2012?authuser=0&feat=directlink).

poleonpom
11th June 2012, 09:23 AM
I did exactly the same and cut an access panel in too. I replaced my pump with a Holden version and 6 months on it's cactus - I've just ordered a replacement pump from Island 4x4 for 40 quid

wayneg
11th June 2012, 10:37 AM
Now you have done all the hard work could you do a little more. All the write-ups I have seen and read are for the pre 99 type Pump / sender.
Now you have your later unit out can you take out the Pump and show us some pics.
I would like to know if it can be replaced easily with a generic pump like the earlier model.
The Thor units are not available cheaply as the earlier ones are on ebay.

This issue of running out of fuel has been discussed before, Its happened to me when the gauge was showing just below a 1/4 tank. Can you see if there is anything catching on the Float. The view was that a buildup of crud was the cause and running a few bottles of injector cleaner through the system cleaned it. I am very weary of running the tank below 1/4. The fuel in the tank acts as a coolant to the pump so maybe thats why yours fried.

Sydr
11th June 2012, 04:00 PM
I ordered a pump from the uk, specified original (OEM) but what arrived was what appeared to be a cheap knock off, so did not fit it.

I'm interested to know where you sourced your pump and what it cost, if you don't mind sharing that with us

Hoges
11th June 2012, 04:19 PM
A very neat job!:BigThumb:
For some reason LR discontinued the fuel filter for the Australian spec "Thor" upgrade vehicles, but retained it in the Nth American spec ones...I was under the impression, wrongly it seems, that there may have been a gauze bag attached to the inlet pipe.

Should not be too difficult to insert a filter in the line near the tank... I bought a Ryco one for my daughter's Mazda 121 the other day ... it's a decent size and all metal... possibly worth a thought

RR P38
11th June 2012, 05:27 PM
I ordered a pump from the uk, specified original (OEM) but what arrived was what appeared to be a cheap knock off, so did not fit it.

I'm interested to know where you sourced your pump and what it cost, if you don't mind sharing that with us

KarKraft

FUEL PUMP - R/ROV (1995>98)(MA>WA) STC4344 <A> $334.29
<C> $231.00
FUEL PUMP - R/ROV (1999>02)(XA>)WFX101400 $628.94

wayneg
11th June 2012, 06:20 PM
There are Dozens of sellers on E-bay UK selling the stc4344 for around 50 pounds ( $75 ) you just need to find one who will post to Aus.
There are sellers in the States selling at $150 shipped

The Thor unit cheap is like finding hens teeth.



KarKraft

FUEL PUMP - R/ROV (1995>98)(MA>WA) STC4344 <A> $334.29
<C> $231.00
FUEL PUMP - R/ROV (1999>02)(XA>)WFX101400 $628.94

Hoges
11th June 2012, 09:37 PM
Fuel-Emissions | Range Rover P38A | British Parts UK (http://britishparts.co.uk/t/range-rover/range-rover-p38a/fuel-emissions)

scroll down page: about $360 +postage for the Thor version. Have found this crowd to be quite reasonable on freight...

glenhendry
15th June 2012, 06:28 AM
I'm interested to know where you sourced your pump and what it cost, if you don't mind sharing that with us

I got a wrecked P38 (see here (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/p38a-range-rover/141132-wrecking-lessons-learned-earth-points.html#post1596361)) and stripped it, so I had a tank complete with pump. I have used the pump now, so I will sell the tank cheap. The car had done 165kkm when it crashed, so I dont expect the pump to last forever.

wayneg
10th September 2012, 01:55 PM
Glen, I have just cut the access hole , no problems. Its all spotlessly cleaned ready for removal when my generic pump arrives.
A couple of questions on removal. Electric plug, no issues, big pipe, no issues, the small pipe has a strange connection, can you remember how that comes apart

glenhendry
11th September 2012, 05:51 AM
No sorry, but I certainly dont remember it being very different to the others? It seemed to come off without too much trouble. Sorry for the late reply.

glenhendry
10th December 2014, 09:25 AM
Specs from Rave for posterity attached.

Tonight I plan to rebuild my shot fuel pump assembly with a new pump. I will record photos and post.

Other part numbers from microcat:
WFX101030 PUMP-FUEL-UNIT ASSEMBLY FUEL TANK (V)WA376580
STC4345 PUMP-FUEL-UNIT ASSEMBLY FUEL TANK (V)WA376580 (V)XA410481
WFX101090 PUMP-FUEL-UNIT ASSEMBLY FUEL TANK (V)XA410482 (V)XA430701
WFX101390 PUMP-FUEL-UNIT ASSEMBLY FUEL TANK (V)YA430702 ->

wayneg
10th December 2014, 12:44 PM
Specs from Rave for posterity attached.

Tonight I plan to rebuild my shot fuel pump assembly with a new pump. I will record photos and post.

Other part numbers from microcat:
WFX101030 PUMP-FUEL-UNIT ASSEMBLY FUEL TANK (V)WA376580
STC4345 PUMP-FUEL-UNIT ASSEMBLY FUEL TANK (V)WA376580 (V)XA410481
WFX101090 PUMP-FUEL-UNIT ASSEMBLY FUEL TANK (V)XA410482 (V)XA430701
WFX101390 PUMP-FUEL-UNIT ASSEMBLY FUEL TANK (V)YA430702 ->

Glen do you recall me doing this with a cheap generic pump? Make 101% sure you only use R10 fuel hose as advised originally by be-utey.
The pump sits inside the fuel filter so if you can keep one original hose intact and only cut the other hose to the pump you will be helping yourself, you can keep the existing fuel filter. I keep a spare pump handy if you want dimensions, it is a standard size but a very snug fit into the centre of the fuel filter
see........http://www.aulro.com/afvb/p38a-range-rover/160342-thor-fuel-pump-renew-fuel-filter-renew-fuel-level-sender-clean.html

FANTOM P38
17th December 2014, 09:55 PM
Did my 95 Gems a while back also cut access panel posted up details here at the time for reference.
Not sure if Thor is same but when changing unit also had to purchase new olives for fuel line connection = worth noting as it can be a pain to start job & find out when everyones closed!

wayneg
17th December 2014, 10:12 PM
Did my 95 Gems a while back also cut access panel posted up details here at the time for reference.
Not sure if Thor is same but when changing unit also had to purchase new olives for fuel line connection = worth noting as it can be a pain to start job & find out when everyones closed!

This is Thor specific. Problem is the Gems complete sender pump unit can be had quite cheaply. The Thor unit is an arm and a leg so a generic pump can save a bundle $$. The Thor fuel hose connection is quite a neat affair which is a push fit, no need for olives, squeeze the sides to remove, just push in until the barbs lock when refitting. Still its good to be informed olives are required for Gems

glenhendry
23rd December 2014, 01:53 PM
Providing a link to the end of this (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/p38a-range-rover/160342-thor-fuel-pump-renew-fuel-filter-renew-fuel-level-sender-clean.html?highlight=vaccum+fuel+tank)thread's story.