Peugeot 308mk1 1.6hdi HP pump issue..

[Pluggit]

Afternoon all, need some help.
Got a tidy 308 with 122k on the clock, runs lovely and very reliable. Im retired now so dont use the car but for the odd run out(good 50mile round trip at speed mind..) High-days and holidays as they say. Im a mechanic/electrical eng so know my way around a spanner. Did a Diagbox run and a couple of egr errors popped up. Didnt worry too much as its a regular with the PSA,s ive had. I WAS surprised to see a couple of HP pump errors there this time though: 87 and a 93 - low fuel pressure/potential leak. Prior to the Diagbox run, I had it out and the engine-check light came on, anti-pollution warning on and I think it went into limp. Never done this before. It also stalled due to a flat spot on the pedal when trying to pull away at lights. Got it going after a couple of attempts but the e/c light stayed on throughout. Had to make sure I gave it a bit more revs to beat the dead-spot until I got back. Limp mode seemed to go away though.

Pump errors were for that day; the mileage coincided and the pressure was showing around the 450bar-750bar when revved accordingly. There are no visible leaks and the filter is new.

Cut to the chase; can the HP fuel regulator be accessed/removed from under the car(ramps only unfortunately) and/or wheel arch or are we talking about cam-belt covers and most of the plumbing at the rear of the engine off. I dont have the means to throw a grand at it these days but I can start simple and work my way up.

Any advice appreciated.

[RichardW]

Before you go arsing about with the fuel pump, when was the fuel filter last changed?

[Pluggit]

...500 miles ... ish

[Pluggit]

I carry a spare fuel filter and was going to put that in as a matter of course. I managed to fill up somewhere and it was water contaminated. Ended up pumping a full tank out and using three filters but it made its way thru the system eventually. Car hasnt missed a beat for 3000+ miles but its got the worm crawling in my brain now; did it effect the pump long-term. Water isnt usually terminal but this isnt a Fordson tractor.

[RichardW]

Probably not that, but it is easy enough to change....

To change the pump you need to strip off the cambelt, then get access to the top / back of the engine (scuttle / air box out) and you might need to remove EGR and cooling apparatus. it's not an easy job!

[Pluggit]

I can handle the dismantling side of it. I took the air-box out and modified it last year so thats not there now and the egr and cooler are coming off anyway so the jobs halfway there already. I just wondered if anyone had changed just the regulator valve - maybe found a way thru to the pump from underneath for a hand and a small socket to get it off. I would try to get on someones ramp for a few hours then. Remember some years ago, concensus of opinion at the time was that you would struggle to get the crank- sensor off without a lot of dismantling then some ray of light said he had managed to change his with just the wheel off, small fingers and a lot of swearing but it was do-able. He was right. Unfortunately for me I think you are probably right in this case though. Toss-up now as to whether I do it myself - which I would prefer, or cut-and-run and let my garage do it. Just thought Id bounce it off other people on here for a second opinion.
Thanks for the advice.