Thread: Injector pumps and running out of fuel.

Originally Posted by wally

How much damage does it do to a 300Tdi injector pump when you run out of fuel? How many times can you run out of fuel before you kill it? I'm curious because I ran out of fuel yesterday and I know that's not a good thing for diesel injector pumps (the diesel is their lubricant).

Cant say formally but i doubt any thing significant as theres residual in the pump even if not volume, besides had my 98 300tdi disco since new and ran out fuel at least 5 times in memory, fuel lift pumps a god send!!

it depends.

if you run it out of fuel and do a long roll to a halt with the engine turning you do more damage than you do if you just clutch it and roll.

typically there will be a lot of fuel left in the pump that will keep lubing the internal bits of the pump while the plunger tries to compress the air that its starting to pull in. A one off running out of fuel shouldnt do you much if any harm. doing it repeatedly with dirty fuel and long roll downs will do more damage.

If you are really really worried about it install a cheap filter in the return line from the pump for a week then pull it out and cut it apart. if its catching small flecks of magnetic metal then you might have a problem if not, dont worry, its all good.

Thanks for the replies. I'm not really worried, just curious since a mechanic mate of mine said that on a 1HZ Toyota it doesn't take much. Run out of fuel maybe three times and the injector pump's buggered.

Originally Posted by wally

Thanks for the replies. I'm not really worried, just curious since a mechanic mate of mine said that on a 1HZ Toyota it doesn't take much. Run out of fuel maybe three times and the injector pump's buggered.

I wouldn't say that's accurate. Having owned an 80 series with the 1HZ I always ran out of fuel before switching to the auxiliary tank. The pump never gave any trouble.

...And, the good thing about the pump, is when it runs out of fuel, the engine stops

No, it won't hurt it. The worst thing for them is water contaminated fuel, especially salt water. Obviously dirt too, but you'd have to be pretty slack with filtration to have that issue.


JC

Originally Posted by wally

Thanks for the replies. I'm not really worried, just curious since a mechanic mate of mine said that on a 1HZ Toyota it doesn't take much. Run out of fuel maybe three times and the injector pump's buggered.

Yea the difference is the "unbreakable" Tojo ( so some think) against a landy.