Fuel pumps?

Hi, I'm new here. I have an '85 cabriolet that has 2 pumps, and the in tank one is bad. I just bought the car cheap, and found no fuel at the injection distributor, and found very old fuel in the tank, the second pump operates with 12volts applied, and the fuel really reeks and the pump seems slow.
Does anyone know the specs on the in tank pump?
I mean is it only to lift the fuel out of the tank?
Does it produce much pressure, or is the "transfer pump" producing the pressure???
Thanks, Earl

its not a very high pressure pump
they will sometimes run with it not working
they  are cheap $80.00 if you  look aftermarket

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jrailer

its not a very high pressure pump
they will sometimes run with it not working
they  are cheap $80.00 if you  look aftermarket

I thought it was only a 3-5psi pump, and after pulling out the dead one, I remembered I had one on the shelf for a '74 vega, and a new filter, and it's a fit. Now I have to drop the tank and have it boiled out at a radiator shop.
Thanks again, Earl

fun fun

Jrailer, It seems I will have to drop the rear suspension down so the front of the tank will pass between the body and the beam!
Lots of fun for a 72 year old heh???
Earl

ya you have to undo the brake lines too
dont you have some grand kids to con in to doing it for you?

Unfortunatly no grandkids, but lots of friends!
Earl

Hi all, I'm John and new as well. I just bought an 81 Cabriolet yesterday.
It's been sitting since 2000, b/c no fuel pressure. I haven't gotten it home yet but the
guy I bought it from said he replaced the pump in the tank, and it didn't work. That's why
he gave up. He has the rear seat up and you can see the top of the tank, so I believe
him.
 
The car was impeccably taken care of otherwise, with 110K. for 750. I really don't mind spending
too much on it, to get it up and running. I love this body style, and have always wanted one.
 
Anyway, my question is; If he did replace the tank pump, where should I look next for a problem? He also said that there are two pumps? Relay? bad connection?
 
I'll know more when I get it home on Saturday, but you know how toys are...
thanks, John

John,
It could be electrical? Get a Bently manual, and check for voltage at the pump first. the pressure pump is on the passenger side right next to the tank, get to it from below.
Check for voltage there also, perhaps the wrong pump was replaced? There is a fuel pump relay on the fuse panel.
If it's been sitting for that long, and had any gas in it, the tank will probably need to be cleaned out!
Good luck, Earl

Yeah, I got a Bentley manual with the car. My first plan is to remove the old gas. Then I'll do as you say and check voltage at the pump. You said I should check the voltage from below the car? I thought it was in through the top? Course I haven't had enough time with it yet, so I'm probably wrong. The guy has the relay sitting on the dash, I should just go ahead and buy a new one before I start...
 
Where is the other pump located?
 
sorry about all the questions, but I appreciate the help, Earl.
thanks, john

Never mind Earl. That manual is really good at explaining things. I think I can figure it out. I'll keep you posted after Saturday on how I'm doing.
john

John, Sorry I may have confused you, the in tank pump is a low pressure pump to get the gas from the  tank, to the pressure pump. the second,"Pressure" pump is the one on the right side below the car.
Check the operation of the relay before buying a new one!
Earl

The manuals shows a way to jump the relay terminals. so I'll do that just to make sure its getting the proper voltage at both pumps. Also talks about a wire coming from the distributer, which is used to check RPM. If it doesn't sense it's running it shuts down the fuel pump after 3 secs. It could be something odd like that? Bad wire? All I can say is; I wish I had it here now. Its been a while since I had something (neat little convertible) to tinker with.
Thanks for the help Earl,
John

Well I got the car home early, so I went right to work. I found out that the relay is bad, when I jumped terminals I could hear the pump under the car. So I stole a relay one of the others that fit and then I had power at the tank pump. After that I took the left hose off and turned the key but had no gas. Then took the right side off, with the same results.
 
Decided to take the pump out, and the gas was super bad. The pump in the tank is new, but it was stuck. So I dismantled it from the sending unit, and washed it out in new gas. Then I kept putting twelve volts to it and it finally came back to life. Now it pumps while submersed in a can. That's were I stopped. I'll let you know more the next time I work on it....
Thanks, John

John, I just did a pressure test on mine, about 30psi is all it will put out? Both pumps run, but the pressure pump must be bad, I'll start looking!!
Earl

Earl, I'm waiting on the pressure pump, from Ebay. Should (cross fingers) be here tomorrow. Total cost is $84.00 including ship.
John

John, I couldn't find a used one arround Tucson, so I ordered one from Checker auto online ($119.00), and it will be here today.
The hose from the pump to the accumulator is now bad, so I will see if I can remove only the crimp metal, and put new hose with clamps on the fitting.
Earl

Earl, I installed the pump, but it won't start. I know its got gas at the filter, cause it sprayed everywhere. Funny thing? If I take the relay out it will start and run until out of fuel. But if I leave the relay in, it won't start at all? Crazy.
john

I got it running! I had to buy a new relay as the one I borrowed was missing just one tab. It let the pumps work, but not the fuel injection system.
 
How are you making out Earl? Did you get your pump in?
 
John

John, Sorry for the long wait, I''''ve been out of town, and away from the internet.
I put another pressure pump in yesterday, and it''''ll only try to run for no more than a few seconds, and die? I think the in tank pump may either be bad, or the bottom end of it is too close to the bottom of the tank. It is not a stock pump, just a close match from a 75 Vega, would you believe? I''''ll pull it tomorrow and see if it''''s the culprit.
Earl
So it''s now July 12th, and I finally got it running! I replaced the in tank pump, and the leaking fuel distributor(got it from a running ''87 cab in a junk yard) and it runs great now.