Long range tanks and fuel pumps

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Originally Posted by spudboy

Yeah - I've got the same issue in a 130 TD5 with a Long Ranger 120L tank.

I can't use the last 10-15 litres in the tank or else the pump sounds bad.

I think there is a design problem in that the base of the tank slopes at a reasonable angle and the fuel pump sits on this angled base without a proper sump. As soon as you park on a slope it is hard to start, and it must also have problems when going around corners with a low fuel level too.

I am thinking about how I can put in a small sump so the pump sits a few inches lower in the tank, and has "deeper" fuel around it. I've got a plasma cutter so I could cut a nice circle and weld in a sump, but I haven't got the guts to take to it with the risk of something going bang.

Seems a shame to permanently cart around 10-15 litres of unusable fuel.
Cheers
David

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I agree David - if I wanted a 100L tank I would have bought one ! I am gonna hold the fitter to sorting it out. I'm sure it will be fiddly, but it's misleading marketing unless you can get to the bottom. I'm just glad I found out BEFORE relying on it off-road :mad:

im working on a cheap replacement internal pump... but need a sample dead unit to play with.. Im not pulling mine its still spot on but I dont usually let the tank get under 20l remaining (still original tank).

Yes there is a way of putting in external pumps but again that is going to wait untill my life gets settled down or my pump dies horribley...

The intank replacement pump i am looking at is a military unit but is supplied by a civillian company... The paperwork involved in chasing the part supplier is horrendous, we have one on shelf and if it looks like i can make it work I will do the research.

If that is no good I will look at other bodges that can be made to work, including replacing the filter with a smaller filter and external pump.

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Originally Posted by Frenchie

That's interesting. I was quoted $1600 for the pump from the dealer (ended up paying $800). I had a bit of a discussion with the dealer about their pricing and they told me a pump for a Td5 Disco is only $600. :confused:

It actually took 12 hours for the mechanic to do mine, but they only charged me 6 hours labour.

My extended warranty has now just paid for itself.

A better option might be to have a sill tank and retain the original at the back.

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I'm a bit confused on how it took 12 hours labour. I just had a LRA (I think it's the opposition to your tank) fitted by ARB. They quoted $160 for the fitting job. It included removing the old tank, putting all the plumbing on the new one, and doing the compliance. ??

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Originally Posted by Captain_Rightfoot

I'm a bit confused on how it took 12 hours labour. I just had a LRA (I think it's the opposition to your tank) fitted by ARB. They quoted $160 for the fitting job. It included removing the old tank, putting all the plumbing on the new one, and doing the compliance. ??

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The problem was getting at the fuel pump to connect/disconnect the lines. In the end, they had to modify the fuel lines so that it could be done. My problem with the pump seems to have stemmed from the fact that the ARB guys stuffed up the fitting in the first place and actually cracked the pump housing, and this was most likely due to the same problem, access to the fittings.

(My tank is LRA also)

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Originally Posted by Frenchie

The problem was getting at the fuel pump to connect/disconnect the lines. In the end, they had to modify the fuel lines so that it could be done. My problem with the pump seems to have stemmed from the fact that the ARB guys stuffed up the fitting in the first place and actually cracked the pump housing, and this was most likely due to the same problem, access to the fittings.

(My tank is LRA also)

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Nasty. This type of thing scares me as I'm just about to head off on a 5 week trip with a new tank :eek:

By the way, I just checked and my tank is a longranger

http://www.thelongranger.com.au/defe...efueltank.html

Where as yours is from LRA

http://www.longrangeautomotive.com.au/

How two companies can set up to sell competitive products with such similar names is beyond me.

At any rate it's clearly caused by installer malfunction in this case so it's all by the by.

Heard recently that premature pump failure can occur with some long range tanks coz of bad design - the pumps are left dangling. An OEM tank has the pump located against the tank floor. Just why this is an issue I don't know - a bit of tank flex or vibration/harmonics that the pump doesn't like? Causing fatigue somewhere?

It would explain why my out of town tank has the pump in a recess.

Regards
Max P

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Captain_Rightfoot

Nasty. This type of thing scares me as I'm just about to head off on a 5 week trip with a new tank :eek:

By the way, I just checked and my tank is a longranger

http://www.thelongranger.com.au/defe...efueltank.html

Where as yours is from LRA

http://www.longrangeautomotive.com.au/

How two companies can set up to sell competitive products with such similar names is beyond me.

At any rate it's clearly caused by installer malfunction in this case so it's all by the by.

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If I were you I would cut an access hole in the floor so that if you have problems the pump is easy to get at. Simple to do. Even after my pump was replaced one of the fittings wasn't pushed on all the way and eventually sprung a big leak. It would have been another tank out job but I just cut a hole and fixed it in half an hour.

Mines a Longranger (127lt I think). And I must confess, up untill reading this I had a habit of running the tank almost dry befrore filling up. Not anymore though :eek:. My brother and I fitted the tank 2 and a half years ago, took about 3 hours and included modifying the tow bar. It was a pig to install the pump, skinned every knuckle and swore a lot:mad::mad:. Mrs and kids kept well away that day. Never had a problem with the tank since then, no funny noises no power loss no leaks. It's always parked in the garage or under cover parking when the lady took it shopping. Being Java Black we always try and park under cover or under a tree. Perhaps this has helped keep the fuel cool enough to cover the low volume. Won't be taking chances from now on and will make sure the tank is always carrying enough fuel. Mind you with the fuel prices going the way they are will need a bank overdraft to keep it filled.
Cheers Richard

heres one for you all

the 75l tank fitted to the td5, exluding the recomended ullage space is nearer to 90l capacity...

The reason you have the extra fuel is for the purpose of heat exchange...(poor tank design can be a feature) But i like to use the rule of 10l of fuel in the tank for cooling per L of engine capacity. Diesel like most oils, looses lubircative properties the hotter you get it.

you'll be surprised at how hot that fuel can get coming back from the injectors.

Dave, How hot is too hot? After i have been driving for about half an hour i can only just hold my hand on the fuel filter [TD5 130] and im prety tough...lol. Is it the engine temp that heats it up or the friction/cooling pump and injectors? Seems very hot to me...

Cheers Jim.