lift pump problems?

[swarf]

hi I have an intermittent starting problem, the engine turns but does not fire, the lift pump does not activate, after a few tries I can here it switch on and the engine will start, once started I haven't had a problem, I've been told to get someone to have a look with pp2000 to see if is the pump or something else (relay, pressure switch).
Is there anyone near to Bristol who has pp2000 and can check out my pump, someone says it can be switched on and off with pp2000.

the car is a 2.2 hdi 51 plate.

[Welly]

One very easy check; when you know the pump is not running go around the back of the car and thump the fuel tank underneath with your hand.....jump back in and try the ignition....if the pump now runs then this confirms it is worn and needs replacing.

They only last around 120K miles on the earlier cars but may have been upgraded on the later 2002+ cars if enough reports came back in time to change things.

Always accompany a pump change with a fuel filter change and if you find a lot of metal swarf in the filter bowl then it is recommended to flush the fuel lines. Most get away without all that.

[swarf]

thanks for all the reply, the thing wouldn't start so I gave the tank a few bangs as advised by welly and for the last four days the car has started everytime, I've also sprayed some wd40 onto the connectors on the lift pump, so at the moment everything is ok.

[Welly]

thanks for all the reply, the thing wouldn't start so I gave the tank a few bangs as advised by welly and for the last four days the car has started everytime, I've also sprayed some wd40 onto the connectors on the lift pump, so at the moment everything is ok.

It won't last long I'm afraid (sold the T-Shirt) I was in the same position as you but was actually running on borrowed time. Eventually I broke down and had to be recovered. Now is the time to start thinking about getting a pump and someone to fit it.

When the pump is failing it will sound really grumbly almost hammer-like but once a new pump is in it will sing and make a nice smooth whiz, the difference is clear.