Fitted new fuel pump but now leaking from outlet

[monsterer 0]

Hi guys,

 

So I've just fitted a replacement fuel pump after failing to rebuild the original (due to pressed in, impossible to remove valves). And it's leaking.

 

I've attached a picture of the thing which is leaking, the fuel out copper pipe. It looks like a compression fit? Is there supposed to be a seal?

 

Cheers, Paul.

[monsterer 0]

It wouldn't let me attach more than 150kb (is this 1995?!) in pictures in one go, so here is one of the leak in progress....

[monsterer 0]

The pipe looks like it isn't seated correctly in the above photo, so I've taken another of the pipe itself to show how it looks

The screw part of it spins freely(ish), so I imagine no amount of thread sealant will work...

Edited December 11, 2024 by monsterer

[Tigdlo 27]

It’s the olive, the brass bit on the end, that does the sealing. You would be better off replacing the olive and the metal stub pipe.

[monsterer 0]

57 minutes ago, Tigdlo said:

It’s the olive, the brass bit on the end, that does the sealing. You would be better off replacing the olive and the metal stub pipe.

 

Thanks, Tigdlo. Any idea where/what I need to order?

[KKCortina 3]

Always wondered how do you replace and get a new olive on to the black hard-plastic fuel pipe?

 

The off-pipe olive has to fit  on to a non-pliable/on-flexy black plastic pipe that at first glance is not a good fit!

 

Heat it first in boiling water and then fit quickly so that it cools around the plastic fuel pipe?

[Beeper 82]

I'm guessing that where the metal pipe bends (kinks!) into the union/nut is where the leak will be. Try a decent plumbers place for a new olive, cut the pipe off just before the bend, refit union/nut, put new olive on the end and screw it all together gently.

[sierra3dr 53]

would an O-ring work?

[TimB 102]

The metal pipe bend looks like it is out of shape and this is pulling the inlet pipe out of alignment and may be stopping the olive aligning correctly in the pump inlet housing. I say replace the whole metal pipe, and olive with the new pipe properly bent to 90 degrees. Maybe fit the new pipe first then fit the rubber to it, so that you can see it is straight and central in the pump inlet.

I've never found a sealant that will stop a fuel leak.

An o-ring is the wrong type of fitting so would probably leak more.

Bending the pipe to 90 degrees without compressing it or kinking it is the challenge. Plumbers pipe benders do not go down to such small pipe diameters, gas fitters use similar size pipe but I'm not sure what sort of bending tool they use. Screw fix may sell pipe bending tools of various sizes.

Metal pipe needs to be rolled by a proper tool to prevent it closing up or cracking.

Good luck

[sierra3dr 53]

8 hours ago, TimB said:

 

An o-ring is the wrong type of fitting so would probably leak more.

 

hoping it would sit on the olive as the union is screwed in

[TimB 102]

The tapered copper olive on the pipe seals between the tapered faces of the pump aluminium housing and the steel nut union. The compression of tightening makes a seal because the copper union compresses against the tapered surfaces. Whilst it needs to be tight, overtightening can damage the olive and it won't seal. First photo shows the seal has got a wear step on the seal surface from previous fitting/removal. But the pipe is also bent out of alignment too.

If an o-ring was put into the joint it would just compress and probably rip/split. I see the idea but for this type of fitting not workable.

All part of the fun of owning a classic.