Vauxhall Zafira- high pressure fuel pump or something else?

sheepy21

Hi all.

In a bit of a conundrum with my car. Vauxhall Zafira 2.2. Fault codes show misfire on cylinders 3 and 4 and low fuel pressure. Also had fuel leaking out of the exhaust pipe.
Garage thinks it’s the high pressure fuel pump, we put a secondhand replacement in which also didn’t work. The mechanic that sold me the second pump stakes his life that it works. So, is the problem the pump and I’m unlucky that bothe pumps are broken, or is it’s something else? I understand the fuel pressure regulator is also a big problem, could it be that and it’s making it seem like the pumps aren’t working?
Car is so lacking in power it’s not at all drive-able.
Very limited funds to get this fixed so don’t want to buy yet another pump only for that to not be the answer!

Inner_Zone

You have already been given advise here:


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5951214/fuel-pump-failed-again-what-to-do

sheepy21

I was hoping a mechanic might see this as in my other post thought it was fuel pump for sure, but now wondering if it isn’t.

Inner_Zone

I had the same issue with my Vectra 2.2 direct, and repaired it myself with a modified Bosch HPFP, new fuel regulator and addition fuel filter (below).

Don't know what the second pump you refer to is?

One thing you have not mentioned is the fuel filter, with the the modified Bosch pump, the supplier supplied a second in-line fuel filter to be fitted near the HPFP input to prevent possible future issues, so may your pumps are also getting damaged, and this suggested addition may help.


Two other things to remember


1. The timing chain can stretch or break and at 94K is about due for a change, additional expense.


2. The gearbox fitted is probably an M32, so not very reliable and not cheap to repair, so more potential expense.


My Vectra had the dodgy gearbox and I knew the timing chain needed changing but the cost of both repairs was uneconomic, then the chain snapped at 140K miles, it was going to be one of the other first, car now for scrap.

sheepy21

Inner_Zone wrote: »

I had the same issue with my Vectra 2.2 direct, and repaired it myself with a modified Bosch HPFP, new fuel regulator and addition fuel filter (below).

Don't know what the second pump you refer to is?

One thing you have not mentioned is the fuel filter, with the the modified Bosch pump, the supplier supplied a second in-line fuel filter to be fitted near the HPFP input to prevent possible future issues, so may your pumps are also getting damaged, and this suggested addition may help.


Two other things to remember


1. The timing chain can stretch or break and at 94K is about due for a change, additional expense.


2. The gearbox fitted is probably an M32, so not very reliable and not cheap to repair, so more potential expense.


My Vectra had the dodgy gearbox and I knew the timing chain needed changing but the cost of both repairs was uneconomic, then the chain snapped at 140K miles, it was going to be one of the other first, car now for scrap.

Thank you. Sorry I meant second pump as in the secondhand one I bought and tried in the car and didn’t work, just wasn’t sure if I was unlucky to have two broken hpfp or if it indicates another problem. I haven’t managed to find any Bosch pumps, only continental.
I had wondered about the fuel filter, but I hoped that would be an obvious one for my mechanic to have discounted
I had considered that maybe the hpfp and fuel regulator would need doing by i gork at the thought of £400+ to sort it
I didn’t realise about the timing chain, so im glad you mentioned that! :eek:
Gearbox doesn’t surprise me, it makes a noise in second gear already
I’ve considered over the weekend selling it as spares or repairs, but I hate to think what it might be worth if it isn’t at all drivable

reddwarf2002

You're unlikely to have 2 broken fuel pumps. It's more likely that the fuse for the pump has blown or there's a problem with the wiring.

Inner_Zone

reddwarf2002 wrote: »

You're unlikely to have 2 broken fuel pumps. It's more likely that the fuse for the pump has blown or there's a problem with the wiring.

HPFP. It's driven off the camshaft, mechanical not electric.

Inner_Zone

sheepy21 wrote: »

Thank you. Sorry I meant second pump as in the secondhand one I bought and tried in the car and didn’t work, just wasn’t sure if I was unlucky to have two broken hpfp or if it indicates another problem. I haven’t managed to find any Bosch pumps, only continental.
I had wondered about the fuel filter, but I hoped that would be an obvious one for my mechanic to have discounted
I had considered that maybe the hpfp and fuel regulator would need doing by i gork at the thought of £400+ to sort it
I didn’t realise about the timing chain, so im glad you mentioned that! :eek:
Gearbox doesn’t surprise me, it makes a noise in second gear already
I’ve considered over the weekend selling it as spares or repairs, but I hate to think what it might be worth if it isn’t at all drivable

You missed the point about the fuel filter it's an addition.

Re non runner, that why mine is sat in a lock up garage, while it's still running consider one of the "we buy any car" places.

System

sheepy21 wrote: »

I was hoping a mechanic might see this as in my other post thought it was fuel pump for sure, but now wondering if it isn’t.

I'm a qualified mechanic. Without putting a pressure gauge on the fuel pump to test it it is not possible to say for certain it is that unless it doesn't run at all. Same with testing the fuel pressure regulator unless you've full pressure going in and just a dribble coming out.

Quite why they're having trouble diagnosing this I don't know unless they don't have a pressure gauge in which case they shouldn't be even looking at the job. Any moron can throw parts at something until it eventually works.