Engine: 2.3 F/Inj B23E/B230F: - 1984 GLT: No start after inspection of in-tank petrol pump

davidcheshire · Jul 18th, 2015, 16:29

I've had the tank pump out to check the sock filter, and replaced the unit after fitting a new sealing gasket and locking ring. The car drove 100 yards and stopped, and I can't find out why no petrol is now being fed to the engine.

I've replaced the one inch hose on the main stem of the tank pump; verified that the pump works by taking it to the battery under the bonnet and connecting it very briefly.

The fuel gauge is working. The tank pump may be lifting about half a teaspoonful of petrol, but no more.

I've removed the green fuel pump relay and connected a jumper between the red wire and the yellow/red wire on the relay block, but still no start.

Suggestions welcome, guys and gals.

tannachyallen · Jul 18th, 2015, 18:32

Do You mean you've put in a new pump? if so, is it a Volvo pump or an eBay special? I did read something about some of the cheap replacement pumps having opposite polarity on the electrics, but worked fine once this was diagnosed.........

Dave A.

davidcheshire · Jul 18th, 2015, 18:41

It is the original tank pump, with the one-inch flexible tube replaced.

The only other new bits are the sealing gasket and the locking ring.

Beetledrive · Jul 18th, 2015, 21:41

Hopefully someone knowledgeable will comment soon. Until then, I will have a go.

I thought that the tank pump's job was to assist the main pump (under the left passenger side), and that the main pump can run the car without the tank pump (although not perfectly). But I don't think the tank pump could run the car on its own.

I think the petrol is drawn from the tank, through the sender with the tank pump attached, into the main pump and into the fuel filter. I would be focusing on why the main pump isn't able to run the car. Perhaps as you have been working on it, you have caused a block to the line the petrol follows. Or, perhaps there is now an issue with the main pump.

davidcheshire · Jul 19th, 2015, 11:24

Thanks Beetledrive.

That makes sense. When it stops raining, I'll have another go. The hose between the two pumps is 32 years old, after all. There may be some perforations in it, particularly at the tank connection end.

davidcheshire · Jul 28th, 2015, 16:03

Problem that stumped the gurus is now solved.

For whatever reason, the main fuel pump failed coincidentally with the removal of the tank pump. The hose connecting the two pumps is sound.

The main pump was in the car for 25 years, but used for only 120,000 miles. The failure of the Bosch original equipment seems a bit premature in mileage; maybe the limiting factor is time.

Jul 18th, 2015, 16:29	#1
davidcheshire VOC Member Last Online: Mar 25th, 2024 12:04 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: aberdeen	1984 GLT: No start after inspection of in-tank petrol pump I've had the tank pump out to check the sock filter, and replaced the unit after fitting a new sealing gasket and locking ring. The car drove 100 yards and stopped, and I can't find out why no petrol is now being fed to the engine. I've replaced the one inch hose on the main stem of the tank pump; verified that the pump works by taking it to the battery under the bonnet and connecting it very briefly. The fuel gauge is working. The tank pump may be lifting about half a teaspoonful of petrol, but no more. I've removed the green fuel pump relay and connected a jumper between the red wire and the yellow/red wire on the relay block, but still no start. Suggestions welcome, guys and gals.

Jul 18th, 2015, 18:32	#2
tannachyallen 240SE Last Online: Mar 4th, 2019 20:44 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Strath Brora	Do You mean you've put in a new pump? if so, is it a Volvo pump or an eBay special? I did read something about some of the cheap replacement pumps having opposite polarity on the electrics, but worked fine once this was diagnosed......... Dave A. __________________ 240 SE Auto 1991 Last edited by tannachyallen; Jul 18th, 2015 at 18:34.

Jul 18th, 2015, 18:41	#3
davidcheshire VOC Member Last Online: Mar 25th, 2024 12:04 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: aberdeen	It is the original tank pump, with the one-inch flexible tube replaced. The only other new bits are the sealing gasket and the locking ring.

Jul 18th, 2015, 21:41	#4
Beetledrive Member Last Online: May 5th, 2019 21:07 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Norwich	Hopefully someone knowledgeable will comment soon. Until then, I will have a go. I thought that the tank pump's job was to assist the main pump (under the left passenger side), and that the main pump can run the car without the tank pump (although not perfectly). But I don't think the tank pump could run the car on its own. I think the petrol is drawn from the tank, through the sender with the tank pump attached, into the main pump and into the fuel filter. I would be focusing on why the main pump isn't able to run the car. Perhaps as you have been working on it, you have caused a block to the line the petrol follows. Or, perhaps there is now an issue with the main pump.

Jul 19th, 2015, 11:24	#5
davidcheshire VOC Member Last Online: Mar 25th, 2024 12:04 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: aberdeen	Thanks Beetledrive. That makes sense. When it stops raining, I'll have another go. The hose between the two pumps is 32 years old, after all. There may be some perforations in it, particularly at the tank connection end.

Jul 28th, 2015, 16:03	#6
davidcheshire VOC Member Last Online: Mar 25th, 2024 12:04 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: aberdeen	Problem that stumped the gurus is now solved. For whatever reason, the main fuel pump failed coincidentally with the removal of the tank pump. The hose connecting the two pumps is sound. The main pump was in the car for 25 years, but used for only 120,000 miles. The failure of the Bosch original equipment seems a bit premature in mileage; maybe the limiting factor is time.

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