Rank: Veteran
Groups: Registered, Veteran
Joined: 1/03/2005(UTC) Posts: 1,991
Was thanked: 2 time(s) in 2 post(s)
|
had a run of problems with pumps lately. the VRpump died, never fixed it just parked up, then the Grand Vitara pump died the other day. running out of cars so got to thinking. A real pita pulling tank, removing pump, replacing pump, etc, so got thinking, what would be a problem in fitting an external pump would save a lot of effort. what do people think.
|
|
|
|
Rank: Veteran
Groups: Moderator, Registered, Veteran
Joined: 2/03/2005(UTC) Posts: 3,135
Thanks: 1 times Was thanked: 35 time(s) in 33 post(s)
|
Pumps fall into 2 categories - those that push (high pressure EFI pumps) and those that pull (low pressure 'lift' pumps). Problem is, by design, neither can do both tasks.
A high pressure pump either needs to be flooded with fuel (so located in the bottom of the swirl pot, in the bottom of the tank) or if they are mounted externally, even below the tank level, they need to be supplied by an additional lift pump - located in the bottom of the tank (like VK & VL EFI systems).
Fuel systems have evolved into a cost-effective modular arrangement, where basically a moulded tank is formed by extruding a multi-layer tube (fuel resistant virgin polymer on the inner layer, and progressive outer layers containing more & more recycled material, out to the final "outer skin" layer that's damage resistant) - this tube then has a mould close around it, sealing the ends, and air is then pumped in to "blow" it out into shape. It is then cooled, removed, and leak tested. It is a very cheap, fast way of making a tank suitable for many fuels, that can last for many years, and does its bit for recycling.
Only problem - you can't go & fit swirl pots & baffles into them easily like the old metal tanks. So the fuel pump & swirl pot, along with the level sensor and all the in/out fittings, evolved into a complete 'drop-in' modular unit - dramatically reducing cost & complexity. Holden introduced this arrangement in the VT, and it still carries through to the VF today (albeit a little more complex due to the saddle tank arrangement with 2 modules, and the flex-fuel sensor).
The life of a pump can be upwards of 10 years - I know some VTs that are still on their original pump. Some manufacturers provide a neat little "hatch" above the module, so you can easily access the top of the tank to remove the module - look under the back seat of any BA-BF-FG petrol falcon sedan. Unfortunately others (Holden....) don't, and you have to drop the tank to do it.
I don't see it as a major inconvenience for something that only needs to be done once in a decade or less. |
Cheers,
Mick _______________________________________________________________
Judge a successful man not on how he treats his peers, but on how he treats those less fortunate. |
|
|
|
Rank: Veteran
Groups: Registered, Veteran
Joined: 1/03/2005(UTC) Posts: 1,991
Was thanked: 2 time(s) in 2 post(s)
|
Mick thanks for your reply, was waiting to see if any other replies came in. My main concern is that I do a lot of running in remote areas (just did 5000K over past 6 weeks including Nullarbor)and really don't want to be stuck having to do this in the bush. Have not so fond memories of land rover with death wish SU pumps, used to fit 2 in alongside each other below the passenger seat all wired in so when one failed (inevitable) just had to swap power lead. Eventually fitted a Facet electrical pump which cured all my problems. Have a safe and happy Christmas and new year.
regards, john
|
|
|
|
Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.