Thread: Tdi Lift Pump Leak

After another thread mentioning the Tdi lift pump fuel leak and alot of people responding saying they have had similar issues, with one person on their 3rd lift pump i thought it would be informative to post my experiences.

This problem is well known, and occurs because the line from the fuel filter housing bolted to the firewall going to the lift pump is to short and doesnt allow for enough movement when the motor moves under load. As a result over time this puts pressure on the fitting and causes stress cracks to form and eventually leak.

All that is needed to fix this problem is to go down to the mower shop or Auto parts store and buy a length of flexible rubber hose and two hose clamps.

Take the original line off the pump and the housing and cut the line from the barbed fittings on each end of the line. Be careful not to loose the little brass olive from the lift pump.

Fit the fittings into the new rubber line and then tighten the hose clamps, then refit the hose and the problem will never occur again.

NOTE- IF YOURS HASNT BEEN DONE DO IT SOON, AND THE PROBLEM WONT OCCUR AT ALL. Prevention is better than cure.

I replaced my lift pump in the last 12 months because of, what i thought, was metal-on-metal 'ticking' with rev. count.

Problem solved.

Now, as the sound has returned in the same area, I suspect short, sharp air escape is the cause of the noise (i.e. gasket type stuff)

Sound like anything anyone has experienced?

Or... am I up for another lift pump.

P.S. Tappets are pretty ratty but this is definitely louder than a single loose tappet, yet appears at the same 'frequency'.