Fully testing fuel pump before I replace - Import NA MR2

[mk2too]

Hi all,

I've got a 1992 Rev 2 MR2 import 3sge that had been sitting for 5 or so years before I got hold of it.

The car won't start but turns over well with a good spark, im 99% sure its fuel pump but the previous owner told me it did run once when it was removed from storage and then stopped (this could well be a fib!)

It does have an immobiliser but this seems to be working i.e clicking the dash lights on when you wave it around.

I've taken the union off the top of the fuel filter and then tried the following:

bridged the diagnostic ports - no fuel

Put a volt meter on the fp terminal and there is 12v

Removed the centre trim and given a 12v source to the grey connector with the thick wires (blue/silver i think)

Still no fuel coming out of the top of the filter.

Im assuming this means the pump is caput but just encase i've been doing the above wrong as it looks like a horrible job if its not needed!

Thanks in advance for any help.

[rossonza]

yeah, if your getting 12v to the wire to the pump, its got to be the pump itself. just ensure the grounds good for it too.

edit: forgot to say, check out the tanks condition inside, especially if it was left with fuel in it. as i replaced my pump after my car sat still for 5 years, and filled her up all nice fresh fuel, only for the tank to shed all the rust and ruined my pump/cost me diagnosis £ at a local mr2 specialist.

[monkeyra]

Can you hear the pump making any noise when powered up?

I've just replaced mine, turns out there is a hose within the tank, part of the fuel pump system, that can split. Mine had. Thus fuel pump running, but just chucking the fuel back into the tank via the split hose and nothing coming out towards the engine. Only way to check that is to drop the tank, which sounds worse than it actually is. It's straight forward, just a bit time consuming and fiddly unless you own a car lift.

[monkeyra]

Can you hear the pump making any noise when powered up?

I've just replaced mine, turns out there is a hose within the tank, part of the fuel pump system, that can split. Mine had. Thus fuel pump running, but just chucking the fuel back into the tank via the split hose and nothing coming out towards the engine. Only way to check that is to drop the tank, which sounds worse than it actually is. It's straight forward, just a bit time consuming and fiddly unless you own a car lift.

[mk2too]

I couldn't hear the pump whirring when I connected a 12v supply directly to the plug but to be honest I have another white MR2 that is running and I can't hear that pump running either :-/

Im conscious about dropping the tank to find out its something else? Interesting to hear about your predicament I guess that is another thing to check.

I disconnected the top of the fuel filter hose, wondering If I should undo the bottom banjo connection and try again just encase the fuel filter is blocked but what are the chances of that?

Thanks,

[rossonza]

yeah id definitely try it straight off the bottom of the fuel filter. see what sprays out when you give it power.

dropping the tank really isnt that bad at all, its just some bits are awkard to get at behind the turbo (heatshields etc). the rest of it isnt bad at all.. i did it 5 times i think now on my back on a cold wet driveway.

[mk2too]

Just to update on this as people took the time to help! Fuel pump fitted this weekend and the car burst into life!

Not a job I would like to do again, didn't seem like much in the way of removing things but its just so fiddly!

Unfortunately I have a leak coming from above the fuel tank which nearly made me cry a little but it looks online like a common problem that can be solved tank insitu - Pipes from hell?

Cheers for the guidance everyone

[rossonza]

well done, bet you were chuffed when it fired haha.

i cant honestly say ive heard of that leaking, but they do have rubber hoses on so likely to leak if dried and cracked.

whereabouts are they leaking? as they go off the top hat from above the pump then to the hard pipes along the tank, then again soft pipework near the back of the tank.

[mk2too]

So my joy was short lived - the car no longer runs

The car ran impeccably well once then refused to start the next day, then burst into life once I put a jump pack on it.

Now it refuses to start and I think the new pump is dead, I've changed the fuel filter but with f and b+ bridged no fuel is coming out.

Can't believe it to be honest, the thought of dropping the tank again is just miserable.

But Im asking what could possibly have caused this? It was a good quality pump from a known supplier.

Thanks people

[mrhappy62]

Surely must be battery related !