Diesel Fuel Pump Leak

My 1990 Astra diesel has recently developed a leak from the fuel pump, tiny drips from the bottom of the pump when the engine is running.

Unfortunately, as far as I can see it appears to be coming from the area of a seal at the end of the actual pump body .

Checking this out on the net it appears to be a problem not a million miles removed from the use of low-sulphur fuels when used with older diesel vehicles.

I've recently been using Shell Super low-sulphur fuel and noticed that the problem seems to have coincided with this, whether or not this is just coincidence I don't know, but I wonder if this could be at the root cause, if so is there any cure other than a replacement fuel pump (which would probably cost more than the car is worth) such as a different brand of diesel fuel or some kind of additive. Thanks for any help

Reply to
Ivan
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Ultra low sulphur causes internal pump wear. It's more likely just coincedence that the pump has started leaking at the same time you changed fuels.

Where exactly is the pump leaking?

Reply to
Moray Cuthill

In some respects the question isn't how much the cost compares to the

*value* of the car, but how much the cost of a new pump compares to the cost of replacing an otherwise sound old car with a slightly " 'more sound' , 'less old' " car.

This is the question I had with an old VW polo that needed £700 worth of engine rebuild - it was still cheaper than buying a 'reasonable' replacement.

Reply to
OG

It's fitted with a Bosch fuel pump, the end section where the injector pipes come out is joined to the main body with several large torque screws with presumably some sort of gasket in between, which is where the leak appears to be coming from (underneath the bottom of the main body where the end section is bolted to it) the injector pipes and associated unions all appear to be dry, so I'm pretty certain that they can be eliminated from the equation.

Reply to
Ivan

I had a similar leak on the ex's old Astra. At the back of the pump there is a block into which the intector pipes are bolted. In the centre of the block is a bolt that covers the hole used to set the pump timing. This bolt is sealed with a copper washer. A replacment washer (which had to come via a Bosch agent, there's a good on in Wisbech) cured the leak. I belive that two types of pump are fitted, a Lucas unit and a Bosch unit. I know nothing about the Lucas one other than the Haynes manual shows which is which. Dave

Reply to
Dave Spam

Thanks Dave, I've just had a quick look and it's a possibility, as it does feel a tad oily underneath. However it's still a bit nippy out in the drive today, so some time in the week I'll give it an application of Gunk and a good going over with the pressure hose.

It would be brilliant if that is the problem, as according to the Haynes manual removing the fuel pump looks to be a real pain, even if it was then p ossible to attempt very much in the way of DIY servicing. Also I didn't quite understand the bit about Wisbech?

Cheers Ivan

Reply to
Ivan

Ah you're not from the Fen's then. I work there and an excellent Bosch agent is located close to where I work. See:

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Dave

Reply to
Dave Spam

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There was I thinking that 'Wisbech' was some kind of German Automobile Website!

Checking out a list of UK Bosch agents, it doesn't appear that we're very well served down here in darkest Somerset.

Looking at the suggested faulty item, there appears to be a very large bolt that fits into the centre of the plump body and a smaller bolt which screws into that (for the DTI tool) Before I attempt to become more involved, which bolt is the copper washer actually fitted to, the main one that screws into the body, or the smaller one that screws into that?

Reply to
Ivan

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I'm sorry I don't know. Your description doesn't sound like the Bosch pump. Alas I no longer have access to the old Astra (sold 2 years ago) so I can't go and look. Dave

Reply to
Dave Spam

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It's definitely a Bosch fuel pump, in fact just as you described it, rectangle with the bolt situated between the four injector outlet pipes on an end section which is secured to the main body with Torx bolts. Hopefully it shouldn't be that difficult to suss out once I've cleaned it all up, and once again thanks for your input, I'm hoping that it is going to be the problem, but will post again and let you know how I get on. Ivan.

Reply to
Ivan

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