Fuel Pump failure? - 96 850 GLT

mtfrith · Post by **mtfrith** » 31 Mar 2009, 19:53

Hello, All!

I don't have a lot of time to scan for fixit advice and apologize for that. But my 850 left me on the side of the road tonight - 30 miles from home. Had it towned to the closest Import Shop in Lawrence, KS. Recently did the following: replaced fuel filter - new plugs and wires - injector cleaner in the tank.

A year ago had the same problem - had the fuel pump replaced. No more than 4,000 miles on this pump.

Is there any easy way to technically diagnose another fuel pump failure. I'd rather pick up a fuel pump and perform the replacement myself and drive it home. The darn part is expensive enough, let alone a couple of hundred to have the mechanic do it.

Had a feeling it might have been the fuel pump when the car took a couple of times to crank over before it would fire and start. However, with the new plugs and fuel injector cleaning in the tank the other day - the hesitation and lethargic acceleration seemed to be do the trick.

Pulled up to a stop sign after about 150 miles - and the car really hesitated, and then off to the side of the road where the car at idle seemed to cycling in a what I would call a laboring idle. Eventually the car simply died. Very similar to what happend a year ago.

What do you think? appreciate your thoughts.

mark

Post by **confused_al** » 31 Mar 2009, 20:13

This is the quote from Ozark Lee:

"You need to start by checking the fuel pressure at the fuel rail. A quick and dirty way to do it is to use a tire gauge if you don't have a fuel pressure gauge. The test is made at the schrader valve on the end of the fuel rail. It should be around 44 PSI.

Fuel pumps normally fail in an all or nothing manner. The fuel pump relay does tend to fail in an intermittent fashion like you describe though.

If you don't have fuel pressure you can try to jumper the fuel pump relay. It is relay 103 and it is located under the cover of the fuse box. The relay has 4 pins and the pin numbers are molded into the base next to each pin. The numbers are 31, 31b, 15 and 87. Jumper the socket positions associated with pins 15 and 87. If the car starts and runs with the relay jumpered the the relay either needs to be replaced or repaired.

If you have no fuel pressure with the relay jumpered then the pump itself is likely bad."

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 31 Mar 2009, 20:25

I answered your question but confused_al beat me to nearly every point I was going to make so I edited before I even posted - no need to be redundant.

On the local front,

KC Autosport in Merriam is closer to Olathe than Larry town unless you were 30 miles west on K-10. The folks at KC Autosport are honest and reputable but try to jump the relay and see if you can drive it home. If it works OK just either buy a new relay (I think they run around $80.00) or fix you old one (about $3.00) - I did a writeup on how to repair the relay and it is in the repair database.

...Lee

Post by **confused_al** » 31 Mar 2009, 20:45

Sorry Lee, thought you were out...

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 31 Mar 2009, 21:22

Al,

I was just pointing out that you had what is, in my opinion, the correct answer but you type faster than I do! I screwed up my ulnar nerve a few weeks ago changing out my axles and transmission seals and I can't feel my left two fingers on my left hand. It makes typing arduous.

Good call!

...Lee

hcritz · Post by **hcritz** » 01 Apr 2009, 09:58

Just a quick side note...
If you do have a bad fuel pump...I found that Autozone carries a bosch pump for a V6 Ford Aerostar that works just fine.
It's slightly shorter...so you just have to use a bit longer rubber connecting hose (which comes with the pump) and the filter sock for the Ford. I think both cost less than $100.00
Mine's been running for about 3 years now with no problems.
It is a bit louder than the original though...sounds a bit like a Ford....lol.

Craigd2599 · Post by **Craigd2599** » 01 Apr 2009, 11:45

I bought the Volvo pump from Darrell Waltrip and changed it in less than 30 minutes. Very easy to do. Cost me under $90

Post by **misha** » 01 Apr 2009, 16:27

If you need new fuel pump,here's adress:
www.europartsdirect.com
Part #vol070429
It's Walbro fuel pump kit with in-tank filter,clamps and hoses.
I think it's about 60$ shipped.

mtfrith · Post by **mtfrith** » 01 Apr 2009, 19:29

Thanks for the help everyone. It is a dead fuel pump. I really appreciate the several suggestions for inexpensive replacements.

Misha, does the kit come with instructions on the assembly? Secondly, other than cost, what's the life expectancy of this kit, in your estimation. Thirdly, about how long does it take to replace?

Mark

Post by **confused_al** » 01 Apr 2009, 19:55

mtfrith wrote:Misha, does the kit come with instructions on the assembly? Secondly, other than cost, what's the life expectancy of this kit, in your estimation. Thirdly, about how long does it take to replace?

Mark

I dont think he used that kit since I was the one gave him the link.
1, No, it does not come w/ the instruction, but you can find instruction in this link:

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.ph ... opic=30882

Note: It is better reuse the spring from your old pump.

2, Life expectancy, unknown but I would think another 5 years should be no problem.

3, It took me a bit over one hour, some others take less.
this link would help you to take old pump out:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 6515#56515

GL!