ZX Fuel Pump

UserError · Unread post by **UserError** » 22 Aug 2006, 22:47

Hello,
I'm trying to find the fuel pump on my L reg 1.4i ZX - can't see it anywhere near the back of the engine and it doesn't appear to be under the back seat. Haynes not overly helpful here....is it electrical or mechanical for this model?

Reason why is that the little beaut has suddenly stopped starting.

Started up for work one morning, took 2 goes on the starter-slightly unusual but I thought I'd cranked it too briefly on 1st go. 2nd go started no problems. Drove 12 miles to work Ok. Came to go home, wouldn't start at all.

Checked for spark - good one on no4 cyl.
No obvious fuses blown (main fuse box undeer steering wheel)
Disconnected 2 fuel-type hoses from R side of carb & cranked - no fuel here, so suspect the fuel pump, only I can't find it.

Got towed home & 3/4 way home and it started when I let the clutch in to get some subtle braking for a tricky bit (I had done this a few times earlier on this trip, but it hadn't started).

To cap it all, I've got to drive my wife's lumbering soggy great Carina in the meantime....
Any help would be gratefully received.
Many thanks
Jono

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 22 Aug 2006, 23:27

Looked under the back seat ?

Did you actually find where the fuel hoses connects to the tank ? because this is where the the pump is - a submerged unit. There will be 2 wires to it - one a +12V feed - one earth.

Dont confuse with the tank level sender unit. This will have 3 wires - but no fuel hoses.

Be careful though

Petrol is highly flammable

UserError · Unread post by **UserError** » 23 Aug 2006, 14:24

Anders,
My interpretation of Haynes is that some models (where there is an electric pump - wasn't even certain of this! ) you access the fuel pump from an access hole under the back seat - there should be a 10-15cm plug. When I slide the seat forward, all I can see is sound-deadening material. I found it hard to believe that I was going to have to rip the car apart just to get to the fuel pump!

I have looked (without yet getting dirty) under the car round the fuel tank with a torch, but couldn't see any likely candidates.

I followed what I took to be the the petrol pipe(s - flow & return?) to the rear of the car. They run into a canister tucked into the sill. I couldn't see any wires to this & took it to be a filter. After there it is too cramped with the subframe mountings/rear suspension etc. Have I got to put the car on ramps to get to it?
Many thanks
Jonathan

mezuk04 · Unread post by **mezuk04** » 23 Aug 2006, 14:55

Hmm, it should just be a big plastic 'plug' if you like......the width of Ross Kemp's arm roughly hehehe

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 23 Aug 2006, 23:08

Look for these huge plastic plugs UNDER the sound deadening material.
You cant fix anything to that floppy sound deadening ...

The plugs are fitted in the sheet metal.

Go digging again and you will find your treasure

UserError · Unread post by **UserError** » 23 Aug 2006, 23:45

MezUK04 & Anders,
Thanks, found it.

Sliding the seat forward wasn't enough. You have to physically remove it (BTW the torx bolts under the seat are VERY stiff and not very easy to get to)

Is it worth getting one from a breakers, or are they known to fail (this one's done 100,000 miles)?

It looks as if there's the 1 type of fuel pump for all monopoint injection models - anyone know if this is correct as there's one on ebay from a 1.6i?

Thanks
Jonathan

lighteninguk · Unread post by **lighteninguk** » 24 Aug 2006, 00:38

my petrol pump gave up in much the manor that yours did, except it was after 5 days of working 18 hour shifts and it was eating into my time off so i was very craky! (Poor RAC man!)

i ended up getting a pump off the internet from a scrappy and is still going 3-4000 miles later.

as i had just filled the tank up prior to it failing i decided to let the garage change the pump (i didnt trust myself with a full tank of petrol, im quite a paranoid person!) all in exchange for tenner or so "to feed the kids tonight with fish and chips" the garage said, Ace!!!

UserError · Unread post by **UserError** » 24 Aug 2006, 16:30

lighteninguk

I'll take a punt then.

Worries me a bit I have to say, having a 6 inch hole in the fuel tank. Especially as fullness/emptiness doesn't come into it - petrol vapour is more explosive than the liquid....

Still, always up for a challenge.

Jono

UserError · Unread post by **UserError** » 10 Oct 2006, 21:26

Follow up.
I'm still alive.
I put the inspection lamp outside the car, shining through the sunroof. felt a bit happier then.

Had a minor tussle to get the pump in the hole to settle in its place at the bottom of the tank, not too bad.

Took a good number of goes to get the the wide screw-on lid on straight as it wanted to cross-thread.

Otherwise pretty straightforward.
Thanks for all your help.
Job Done!
Jonathan
BTW, if using a screwdriver to drift the big screw-off lid, tap it firmly, but don't clobber it - if it slips off it could go through the tank...... luckily, mine didn't.

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 11 Oct 2006, 09:06

yes but did it fix the problem
regards malcolm

UserError · Unread post by **UserError** » 14 Nov 2006, 21:27

citronut wrote:yes but did it fix the problem
regards malcolm

Yup. Under 15quid including 2 jubilee clips.
However...

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