Leon Mk3 2.0 tdi 150 Fuel Pump

[Drewsy]

Hi all

Long time lurker, infrequent poster here looking for advice.

Over the weekend, the Glow Plug symbol on my dash started flashing and an error message appeared ‘Error - Start Stop System’ displayed also. Then an Engine Management Light (orange) came on. The car didn’t enter limp mode (in fact, I still have full power) so I was able to drive the short distance home and called out the AA. After a bit of investigation and diagnostic check, three errors were found . . .1 - Fuel pressure, rail pressure too low. 2 - Electric Fuel Pump Mechanical Fault. 3 - Electric Fuel Pump speed too low.

New fuel pump required was the advice, fine so I called around a few local garages for prices but was not prepared for the shock of what this might cost for supply and fitting ! One garage was 2k and another quoted £1400 plus vat just for the pump.

Thing is, the car has only done 34,000mls since I got it new and surely the pump would last longer than that ? Could it be another issue causing the pump error messages ? eg burst hose, loose wire etc

Also, where to find the pump part number ?

Thanks.

edited to add - car is 2015 FR model

 

[Big Col]

bear in mind there are 2 fuel pumps.

There is the in-tank pump sometimes referred to the lift pump or transfer pump. Then there is the high pressure pump driven by the timing belt. The high pressure pump will be a lot more expensive.

My guess would be your error codes relate to the transfer pump.

 

[Drewsy]

Thanks Col

Your reply strikes a chord re the two pumps as one of the garages I called was asking which one needs replaced. Unfortunately, I couldn’t answer as I’m not clued up with cars that much. Would the fact that I still have full power with the car give a clue as to which pump is goosed ?

If it was the high pressure one, wouldn’t that most likely lead to the car to limp mode ?

I have the car booked in to a local garage on Thursday for a proper diagnostic check which hopefully should reveal where the problem lies.

 

[Big Col]

my only experience is of the lift pump totally failing. No warning, the car just cut out and wouldn't start. That was approx £700 all in to fix.

I'd be cautious about doing too many miles in it until you get to the bottom of the problem. The fuel acts as a lubricant for the high pressure pump. You run that dry and you're in danger of causing even bigger problems.

 

[Drewsy]

Cheers Col

Yep, car is parked up for now.

 

[MATT RILEY]

Had a very similar thing on my 150 TDI, was the fuel pump control unit on top of the fuel tank was about £160 to replace. Sometimes cut out on stop start and poor starting until it failed completely. The fuel rail pressure fault is just because there is no fuel, the mechanical high pressure pump will be shut down well before any damage can happen. (The engine ECU will stop the engine running/starting)

 

[Woody_72]

Just had a look on Autodoc for my car, the in-tank pump varies from £100 to £180 depending on brand.

 

[adam davies]

Hi all

Long time lurker, infrequent poster here looking for advice.

Over the weekend, the Glow Plug symbol on my dash started flashing and an error message appeared ‘Error - Start Stop System’ displayed also. Then an Engine Management Light (orange) came on. The car didn’t enter limp mode (in fact, I still have full power) so I was able to drive the short distance home and called out the AA. After a bit of investigation and diagnostic check, three errors were found . . .1 - Fuel pressure, rail pressure too low. 2 - Electric Fuel Pump Mechanical Fault. 3 - Electric Fuel Pump speed too low.

New fuel pump required was the advice, fine so I called around a few local garages for prices but was not prepared for the shock of what this might cost for supply and fitting ! One garage was 2k and another quoted £1400 plus vat just for the pump.

Thing is, the car has only done 34,000mls since I got it new and surely the pump would last longer than that ? Could it be another issue causing the pump error messages ? eg burst hose, loose wire etc

Also, where to find the pump part number ?

Thanks.

edited to add - car is 2015 FR model

Hi do not rely on aa diagnosis they are not specialised mechanics. Get it to an independant first. Start with basics ie fuel, fuel filter, low pressure side, electronic control unit then final port of call high pressure fuel pump.
Take it to a vag specialist for real diagnosis not just reading fault codes.
Good luck

 

[Drewsy]

Thanks for all your replies folks. Car in today for diagnostic. . .fingers crossed.

 

[Zak newnham]

Thanks for all your replies folks. Car in today for diagnostic. . .fingers crossed.

Hi. What was the outcome, mine has similar issues. Fuel filter and rear pump replaced. Still the same.