[Bolts]

Hello all,

Could anyone give me there opinion on the following please?

My 1999 2.2 TiD had been running well (122K) with no lights, power or starting issues...

Driving home up steepish hill I accelerated after slow coach in front turned off and my car just died... bit of a shock for me and guy behind!

Managed to coast to side and tried to restart - turned over but nothing else. Engine light now on.

Tried to see if any hoses had collapsed and general look over but could see nothing. Still wouldn't start - parked on incline.

AA came out - no fuel at injectors. Took me back home and dropped car at local garage.

They have diagnosed fuel pump failure... my worst case scenario.


Bearing in mind the suddenness of the breakdown is this the most likely possibility?

I had had no starting problems, so probably isn't leak off pipes - but holding out hope it might be something easier and cheaper to fix...

Any tips on diagnosis - not sure that local garage has Tech 2 gear...

If it is the pump does anyone have a source of recon VP44 pumps? I feel that the cost of replacement may make it an uneconomical fix as it would be more than the car is worth...

Oh well, you take your chances with high mileage cars...

Thanks,

Bolts

 

[boris]

The Check engine light calls for an error code read job. A simple code reader should be the first shot, then progress to Tech2.

How did the car die - in silence or with a loud bang and a cloud of blue smoke or something else?

 

[Bolts]

Hi Boris - thanks for reply - I don't remember any bangs or clouds of smoke, just buttock clenching when I realised I had no power on a 1 in 5 hill!

Seriously, it went from boost to nothing just like that...

Does anyone know what code a knackered fuel pump would throw so I can double check the garage?

Ta,

Bolts

 

[Bolts]

And has anyone had experience of these pumps failing suddenly? Most of the research I've looked into suggests a gradual decline with symptoms to match - as I said I had no problems prior...

Thanks,

Bolts

 

[boris]

P0087, P0148, P0149, P1220, P1335, P1345, P1631-1637,... There are a lot of codes related to the fuel system. Better get them read & post'em here.

 

[Zenith]

I had this but it turned out to be that I was simply out of fuel and the fuel guage was lying to me by the order of 1/4 of a tank. It happened to me while accelerating past a lorry after a long uphill and the remaining fuel had sloshed to the back of the tank so the pump just ran dry. I've since replaced the fuel sender unit for a decent 2nd hand unit one and not run empty since and everything is fine.

So do you definitely have fuel? Try putting 5 litres in and re-priming fuel system through what looks like the tyre valve on the front of the engine.

 

[Bolts]

Thanks Zenith - there is definitely fuel, about 3/4 tank... but it is a steep hill...

Don't want to sound like complete eejit, but how do you prime the system? Is it just a vacuum pump on the schrader valve till fuel comes through...?

Cheers,

Bolts

 

[Zenith]

Yes thats right, but obviously you'll need a pump with a proper schrader connection to open the valve. The off the shelf item specifically for the job cost around £50 so I ended up just using the hose from a tyre inflator and sucked it through instead. (not pleasent, but is cheap and works)

Even after priming it may still take a few seconds of cranking to build proper pressure and get it to start.

 

[Bolts]

Yum... I'll be farting diesel for a week!

 

[Bolts]

Oh dear - looks like I won't be a Saab owner for much longer - fuel pump is the problem...

Couldn't believe the price of a new unit - knew it wouldn't be cheap - but £2000!!!!!

Jamsaab are trying to find a decent second hand unit - but it doesn't look good as I would still be shelling out over £1000 to get it and then fit it...

As the car is only £800 odd it doesn't seem sensible...

Oh well - any one want a 1999 TiD with 122K on it? Just put four new Uniroyals on last week - typical!!!

 

[Zenith]

Ouch!

Good luck scouring Ebay and your local breakers. May be worth checking vectra diesels from around a similar time as they may be the same pump. Don't quote me on that, I'm sure someone here will know for cerain though.

Alternatively break for parts, if your alloys have new tyres i'm sure you could get a decent amount for them. People usually need air hoses and interior bits, SID, etc.