280i Fuel Pump and O2 Sensor

[m2500tvr]

I noticed that the fuel pump of my 280i seems to be making more noise than I
recall it to have done. What I recall is that it ran pretty quietly. If you got
close and listened carefully while the car was running, you could just hear a
whirring. Now, the whirring is more noticable. I can hear it from standing near
the car.

Anyone had any experience with the pump? Any handy cross-references, part
numbers, etc. for sourcing a new Bosch pump or fuel accumulator?

The O2 Sensor
Any one have anything to say about the life of the O2 sensor on the 280i. I've
got the original one on the car. Anything I should be attending to here? It's
just a singe wire sensor. An experience with this. Life expectation, failure
symptoms, replacement sourcing?

Thanks!

[benebob]

I'm running a volvo 242 fuel pump on mine. Same pump for the most part, just different electrical connectors. I just replaced my acumulator. I still have the old one but the only place that had it stateside (or claimed they did). Held my paypal money fore 3 weeks of no action or emails, finally forcing me to open a dispute against them to get it back. After that I bought the cheapest Bosch Accumulator with the right connectors off of Amazon, the next day it was in the car. I believe it came off of a VW Rabbit but will get you the numbers. Haven't noticed any issues with it at all.

Stock accumulator was shared with the Lotus Esprit.
Pump off the top of my head was shared with the Deloreon.

Ben

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Mate..The only experience i have had with fuel pumps is that when my fuel accumulator was leaking petrol from the air valve which is on the rear of the unit it made the pump sound really loud and it was due to air being sucked into the pump via the valve..This is not to say that this is the case with yours..Although it may be worth checking..I have used these people..(kmi)..for the refurbing of my metering head and they do stock all the bits that can be hard to get..If you cannot find what you need then maybe i could do the deal for you here in blighty and ship it out to you..We could discuss it further if it is a route you need to take..Let me know through email..I hope you dont have to but it is an alternative..I will be speaking with them tomorrow so if you need some part numbers i will ask..Cheers..Ziga

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=k...

[m2500tvr]

Thanks for the replies. Yeah, could be air being sucked in. Does this mean the accumulator is failed?

Just to be clear on this, the US-spec 280is used the Bosch KE-Jetronic PI system, not the straight up K-Jet system? The one with an O2 sensor and control box?

Any thoughts on the O2 sensor? Standard, single wire O2 sensor? What're the indications of failure?

[RCK974X]

In case it helps.....

I think the US speced 280's had KE systems, mine is K basic.

There are two basic types of FI pump, High pressure, for 'K' and 'KE' systems (~80lbs ?), and low pressure for the electronic EFi systems (~35lbs).

The pump subtypes are then about the maximum flow the pump can provide.
Cars with 'K' injection will all probably work - Audi, VW, Volvo, Mercedes, (others ?)

Also Ferrari, Porsche (Cheap ? yeah. right. Just adding them for completeness !)

The pumps do tend to sound like a mad, manic bee as they get worn.
Will continue for a while but probably wise to sort out a spare ASAP.
NB. have you checked the fuel filter ? They can restrict flow, but you would notice when opening throttle wide....Mine went 'flat' and stopped accelerating after a minute or so.

Edited by RCK974X on Thursday 15th December 20:42

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Mate..You should have a pipe going to the fuel tank from the accumulators breather..The in and outs are normally on the front side and are together and are fed via the pump..There shouldnt be any fuel getting through the rear part of the accumulator and if you disconnect the pipe at the rear and petrol comes out then the accumulator has failed..If you have a look at the picture of one in the site i put up you will see a fitting on the rear of the unit..You can by-pass the accumulator for now which is something i had to do..If its faulty!!..I had starting issues which also pointed towards the accumulator as i had no pressure when switched off and found it hard to start..Ziga

[benebob]

Stock accumulator part number for my 84 1/2 us 280i 0438170039

Do not buy one from here http://www.autoteilehandler.com/0fuaclob0.html

Seems that Rock auto now shows being able to get it but the didn't show up for me a month ago.
http://www.rockauto.com/dbphp/x,catalog,23,partnum...

This is what I got. It is a good bit smaller but fit and seems to work fine. 0438170001 from http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CNZGOY/ref=oh...

With mine leaking I didn't notice a louder fuel pump but I can't hear my fuel pump much to bigin with. While you have the system open like was stated those hoses if original seem to be rotting from the inside out. Mine were gummy and sticky when I replaced them. Looked okay outside. It also would be a good time to replace the fuel filter.

[m2500tvr]

Thanks for the part numbers!

Interesting about the fuel lines. Gummed up inside, look okay outside.

I should probably replace the fuel filter, huh? Never done it.

[RCK974X]

m2500tvr said:

... I should probably replace the fuel filter, huh? Never done it.

Yes, it's one of those jobs nobody remembers.....

My 280 started to go 'flat' on the motorway/highway at about 70-80mph, and stop accelerating, although it didn't misfire or anything like that. I went through several things, suspected the pump, etc..etc..

Then I read on the web somewhere - remember the fuel filter...

I changed mine, and peeled the old one apart to see..... it was scary - I got a full tablespoon of SAND (or what appeared to be sand), a stack of black bits which looked like paint peelings. It's a wonder any fuel got through at all.

Gas stations aren't nearly as clean as you think - their tanks collect crap too ...

TIP.....for a new filter, run some clean fuel through it before fitting, to wet the filter material. This stops the filter tearing inside.

[benebob]

m2500tvr said:

Thanks for the part numbers!

Interesting about the fuel lines. Gummed up inside, look okay outside.

I should probably replace the fuel filter, huh? Never done it.

No not gummed up but gummy as in decomposing and breaking apart. The bottom hose size was a little big but I did find it at Napa, the top hose is like 2" o.d. and I didn't find or do but would suggest doing it and the fill hose as well. Nothing like the snowball turning into an avalanche.

[m2500tvr]

I bought a fuel filter a long time ago, but never installed it. Guess it's time.

I did replace nearly all of the fuel lines around the tanks with nice Earl's and Aeroquip stuff - but this was now a long time ago.