fuel pump-do they need to be earthed?

[david vaughan-birch]

Just changed out the fuel pump assembly into a new tank (thanks Ogni!) and I noticed that Haynes says "make sure you replace the earth wire" from the pump to the tank-well I havent got one. Do I need to make one up? Have I been riding around on a UXB for 6 years?

 

[Roger Chatterton]

Hi David,
my Haynes manual says the same ...but there is no lead for me to earth either. Mind you, the Haynes does miss a few things out on the 1150's and there is little on the Advenures per se ! For example, absolutely nothing in the manual regarding the "roll-over" valve by the filler cap.
So, as I don't have the alleged earth wire, I couldn't really connect it, so didn't bother when I replaced my fuel pump (in Romania!!!!!) , and when I changed the fuel filter when I got back, as well as fitting jubilee clips instead of those dreadful BMW type clips on the hoses.

So, maybe we both have alleged WMD's ...maybe some wiser person on here can cast some light on this please ?

Just one more thing out of interest, why did your fuel pump fail, and what mileage do you have, and did you replace with a pukka BMW pump ? I have a non BMW pump, sourced whilst broken down in Bulgaria...(I do have an earlier posting about this)- apparently pumps from some cars will work OK , eg early BMW's and Audi's.

 

[Steptoe]

haynes maybe referring to the seperate earth wire found on the very early 1100 plastic tanks - take no notice if you have a metal tank.

 

[Colban]

Just had a look at my spare pump/plate assembly.
The only ground return on there is on the fuel level indicator.
There is no other earth wire from the pump to the plate and i didn't need to move any earths when i changed my tank.

 

[david vaughan-birch]

Just one more thing out of interest, why did your fuel pump fail, and what mileage do you have, and did you replace with a pukka BMW pump ? I have a non BMW pump, sourced whilst broken down in Bulgaria...(I do have an earlier posting about this)- apparently pumps from some cars will work OK , eg early BMW's and Audi's.

Roger, the pump hasnt failed, but the tank has! There was serious blistering on the lower lip so rather than try to fix it I got a new one. Mind you, the pump backing plate is fairly knackered, its so rusty it looks like its been under water. Several years living in Devon by the sea perhaps did for it?

 

[Roger Chatterton]

Sounds like it might have had water in the tank, and been laid-up for a while. Might also be the drain hole under the filler cap got blocked, and water drained into tank instead.

 

[Comfy Old Boots]

Sounds like it might have had water in the tank, and been laid-up for a while. Might also be the drain hole under the filler cap got blocked, and water drained into tank instead.

A major dealership in Dublin missed that twice on mine. Just love my new injectors though I bought my own tank. Thanks Serlocks To check, use your lips and blow the overflow pipe that dosn't smell of petrol lol