Vicious Leak On Fuel Pump

[Mattylad]

All,

So I have now just got my car back from the garage and been told that I have quite a viscious leak from my fuel pump. He said that it looks like it is comoing from some kind of a 'pressure relief valve'. He believes it may be an internal part of the pump that is worn. He is not a Bongo familiar garage but he is an aquaintance of mine so I trust that he is not pulling thw ool over my eyes. However, do you guys have any ideas of what to do? My mechanic has suggested a company to recondition the pump but thinks it will be the thick end of £300.

All ideas welcome folks.

Matty

[Dave.]

could be pump seals? lots have had problems with them causing leaks and cutting out etc? just a thought also ask around the forum for a spare pump ?worst case

[Mattylad]

Yeah I have thought about the seals but my mechanic basically said they don't do anything with fuel pumps, I've read the fact sheet but way over my head. Well I was hoping if anyone read this had a spare or recon one then they would shout up.

[Northern Bongolow]

can you get, or get your mate to get a pic of the leak,it may help to get a fix.

[Mattylad]

Hello northern, I can try get a pic. He said that the leak looked to be coming from what looked like a pressure relief valve and there appeared to be O rings there. I need the van back on the road as soon as possible. Can get a second hand good condition pump for £200. May just go for that?

[Diplomat]

It will help if we know which model of bongo it is.

Diesel presumably* in which case is it the older type with a distributing pump or the newer 'drive by wire' type?

While you are waiting to get it repaired you can save yourself from a lot of mess by placing an old towel in the plastic tray under the engine and also making a drip catcher from a chopped down plastic drink bottle wedged under the pump. it won't melt or catch fire but will stop fuel from getting on the road.

I have dramatically reduced a leak by applying 'Stormseal' wet suit glue to the area of the pump where the fuel was escaping.

It will nead thoroughly cleaning with meths before applying the glue.

A proper repair might cost up to £1500 or so if the pump has to be removed replaced and refitted.

Try and let us know more about the pump. The older type has four pipes coming out of the back end.

*If it were petrol it might have caught fire by now!


Frank

[Mattylad]

Frank, itis a 95 Mazda bongo sgl5 AFT 2.5 diesel on an auto box.

[Nevets]

more likely the o'rings leaking on the pump,very common fault inexpensive to fix just fiddley job..

Print off the fact sheet on them and take it to your mechanic he should be able to fix quicker than a pump replacement

hope this helps Steve..

[Mattylad]

I wondered about that Nevets, I have the factsheet printed off. Will see him tomorrow.

Tar

[dandywarhol]

There's no "pressure relief valve" on the pump - if that's the kind of bumf he's telling you - you need to find a garage who knows something about cars.

[Diplomat]

Frank, itis a 95 Mazda bongo sgl5 AFT 2.5 diesel on an auto box.

OK. That's the one I'm familiar with.

In which case I'm wondering if what he assumes to be a pressure relief valve might be the domed cap in between the four output pipes. There is an 'O' ring under that cap but he will need a special tool to undo the cap. It is not held on by the bolt in the centre of the cap.

In my case the leak is almost certainly from an internal seal, which means complete pump removal. However, it finds its way out of the casing near the domed cover but not actually from it.

It was thanks to advice from a forum member that I narrowed down the cause and didn't waste my time and knuckles doing the usual repair to the seals on either side of the pump.

As dandywarhol implies, your man is clearly not familiar even with the pump, which is used on other vehicles as well. I hope he hasn't undone the radiator cap at some stage!

On the one hand most of us knew absolutely nothing about the beasts until we got one and hopefully a mechanic should have a faster learning curve than an inexperienced layman. The owner, of course, can have a deeper involvement in the outcome. that is why many of us are amassing knowledge on how Bongos work.

On the other hand there are plenty of professionals who do know Bosch pumps and more importantly know how to reinstall them so that the car will ever start again!

You might do better taking it to someone who has done it before rather than sponsoring your man's apprenticeship, even if he is a good bloke.


Frank

[Mattylad]

Cheers Frank,

I know what you mean about my mechanic, however, in his defence he merely said they dont deal with fuel pumps, they outsource it as they are only a small outfit. The company he has reccommended can recondition at £300 to £400 with removal and refit.

Alternatively I have rang a bongo friendly garage near me who said he would just reseal it for £300.

Or I can get a good condition, second hand, guaranteed fuel pump for £200 but then there would be a fitting cost.

Im thinking the latter idea. But your opinions are vaulable.

Cheers

[Diplomat]

I should add that if the leak is kept mopped up as I have previously suggested and the overall performance is not being prejudiced, unless you have an MoT deadline to meet, it should be perfectly driveable until you have researched the cause and the cure more thoroughly. Just make sure it is not dripping on the road.

Don't get pressurised into having it done today, tomorrow or next week.





Just read your reply before posting thus far. So, additionally;

Make sure exactly where the leak is. If it is an internal seal it will be a lot more expensive to fix.

If you can get a guaranteed reconditioned pump for £200 you are doing well. On the other hand if it has merely been taken from another vehicle of similar age and only the easy to get at seals replaced then it could be false economy.

Good luck and let us know what happens.


Frank

[Cosmic Bus]

I made a video not long ago of my leaking seals. Does it look anything like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYrf7e2qLVI

*edit*

... not exactly viscious I know, but still ...