VP MD2040 lift pump

[Carduelis]

I did a routine service of my engine yesterday. While replacing the primary fuel filter I stupidly twisted the seal resulting in an an air leak. The problem was easily identified and fixed, but I was left with a fuel line entirely empty of diesel.

My problem was that no amount of wiggling of the manual lever on the lift pump seemed sufficient to refill the line and filter bowl, let alone the secondary filter. The line requires suction along its entire length; there is no 'gravity' section. I eventually got it started after manually filling the filters.

Should I infer from this that the pump is on its way out, or is this normal? The engine otherwise runs fine.

 

[RichardS]

Was the engine on the right part of it's cycle for the pump to operate? Sometimes the engine needs to be turned with a spanner or a blip on the starter to move the pump "off the cam".

Richard

 

[philwebb]

Hi Carduelis, I have a 2010. I have fitted a primary filter housing which has a priming bulb on top. This helps to get the air out of the fuel line and past the secondary filter. I got this part from EBay when I changed from the glass bowl type separator to spin-on filter.

 

[Carduelis]

Was the engine on the right part of it's cycle for the pump to operate? Sometimes the engine needs to be turned with a spanner or a blip on the starter to move the pump "off the cam".

Richard

I think so. The lever moved quite freely.

 

[Carduelis]

Hi Carduelis, I have a 2010. I have fitted a primary filter housing which has a priming bulb on top. This helps to get the air out of the fuel line and past the secondary filter. I got this part from EBay when I changed from the glass bowl type separator to spin-on filter.

Thanks. That looks quite a good idea. I see that they also incorporate a non-return valve so you would lose less fuel from the line when the filter is removed.

However my core question is: Should I worry about the condition of the lift pump?

 

[billgray]

We have a 2030 and have the same problem and our lift pump is okay, the position on the cam is critical. We fill the filter, through the bleed screw, with fuel and that helps. A few turns with the starter, tighten bleed screws and away you go.

 

[VicS]

I think so. The lever moved quite freely.

It may well do. Try what Richard says !

 

[RichardS]

Thanks. That looks quite a good idea. I see that they also incorporate a non-return valve so you would lose less fuel from the line when the filter is removed.

However my core question is: Should I worry about the condition of the lift pump?

If the engine runs well once primed then I can't imagine that there is a problem with the pump per se.

I don't know the Volvo lift pump personally but it could be that when the pump is on the cam, the manual handle is actually floating free and would be loose rather than actuating the pump.

Richard

Edit: Just seen Vic's post and he knows a lot more about Volvo engines than me.

 

[Heckler]

If the engine runs well once primed then I can't imagine that there is a problem with the pump per se.

I don't know the Volvo lift pump personally but it could be that when the pump is on the cam, the manual handle is actually floating free and would be loose rather than actuating the pump.

Richard

Edit: Just seen Vic's post and he knows a lot more about Volvo engines than me.

The 20XO range of engines, the lift pump on mjne was crap as well. Once bled it was fine.
Stu

 

[johnalison]

The lift pump will move freely whether in the correct position or not. I find that in the correct position a slight additional resistance can be felt about halfway through the stroke.

 

[Grumpybear]

The lift pump will move freely whether in the correct position or not. I find that in the correct position a slight additional resistance can be felt about halfway through the stroke.

With our 2030, the hand pump on the replacement primary filter unit I fitted when the original crumbled into rust after 15 years seems to render jiggling the lift pump lever redundant.

 

[john_morris_uk]

If the engine runs well once primed then I can't imagine that there is a problem with the pump per se.

I don't know the Volvo lift pump personally but it could be that when the pump is on the cam, the manual handle is actually floating free and would be loose rather than actuating the pump.

Richard.

We have a Volvo 2040 and what you say is true. The lever can waggle and do absolutely nothing.

 

[johnalison]

We have a Volvo 2040 and what you say is true. The lever can waggle and do absolutely nothing.

With the 2000 series you merely need to avoid the one position where the pump doesn't work, whereas on the 2010 etc series it is the other way round; it will only work at the marked position, or at least, it would if my mark were still there.

 

[pvb]

The effectiveness of the hand lever on cam-driven fuel pumps is entirely dependent on where the camshaft happens to be when the engine stops. If it stops with the pump actuated, then wiggling the lever will do absolutely nothing. The solution is to rotate the engine so that the cam isn't operating the pump. The VP owners manual describes this procedure. Once the pump is off the cam, the priming lever works quite well.

 

[Chalker]

Or ditch the engine pump and put a 12v Facet pump in circuit. Switch on and it just runs and doesn't care what angle the cam is on. Oh so simple. Especially wuth the price of lift pumps for old VP engines.
Once primed my injector pump does not need the Facet pumped to be powered, so no need for an engine switched supply. VP MD31A

 

[Carduelis]

Or ditch the engine pump and put a 12v Facet pump in circuit. Switch on and it just runs and doesn't care what angle the cam is on. Oh so simple. Especially wuth the price of lift pumps for old VP engines.
Once primed my injector pump does not need the Facet pumped to be powered, so no need for an engine switched supply. VP MD31A

Nice idea! Most light aircraft have a two pump arrangement as backup so presumably there is free flow of fuel through a switched off electric pump.

Did you remove and blank off (how?) the old lift pump or just leave it in place?