Chasing a ghost? Lift pump on a 60 plate Dispatch

Garethw · 2025-08-24 15:54:37

Hey All,

I'm new here so be gentle!

TLDR;
How do I check if I have a lift pump without dropping the tank?

Longer Version;
My knowledge of engines is fairly rusty and mostly based around older vehicles with no ECU (2/2A landrovers, "proper" mini's, that sort of thing) and also very limited on Diesel engines. When I was young broke and stupid I did plenty of work on my own cars but gave it up when I could afford to pay someone. For various reasons I am now old(er) and again finding myself broke (as a result of still being stupid) so working on my own vehicle again.

In March ish I acquired a 60 plate Citroen Dispatch and it transpires that it has what appears to be a semi common fuel related intermittent none starting issue. It cranks just fine but won't fire, cracking the bonnet finds the manual priming bulb not quite as solid as I would like, a quick couple of squeezes and then it runs. Sometimes disconnecting the air intake and a liberal amount of easy start is required.

I established that most (? all ?) diesel engines have a Low pressure (lift) fuel pump and a high pressure one. So I disconnected the fuel line on the output side of the filter and turned the ignition on. I fully expected to get covered in fuel but nothing appeared to happen. I tried again on the input side, same thing. I also noticed a distinct lack of "pump noise" that I think I'm expecting when the ignition turns on that would indicate the lift pump pressurising the LP side of the system.

So, my conclusion was that I should find and test the pump by directly dropping 12v across it. To do that I need to drop the fuel tank....

Today I tried, and failed to do that (Captive bolts on passenger side spinning and I can't jam them) but I think I found some info that doesn't make a lot of sense. The Haynes manual has a bit that reads "On some models only a fuel level sender unit is fitted - no lift pump" and whilst I was under the vehicle swearing and bashing things with various hammers I noticed only 2 wires going to the top of the tank.

So this got me thinking... Two wires to me sounds like the fuel level sender and the bit from the Haynes manual makes me think there might not be a lift pump...

Can anyone provide any guidance on either how to check if I have a lift pump without dropping the tank or how to drop the tank if those two bolts won't come free or if I'm going about this totally the wrong way and need a diagnostics 101 course before I go dropping bits of the van off to test.

OAT · 2025-08-24 20:46:59

I haven't a clue myself, and it tends to be quiet here over weekends. Hopefully someone will know.

Long shot, but how about letting a parts dealer or even Citroën dealer do your research? Try and buy a lift pump for that chassis number. They should have access to manufacturer's parts lists.
There are a also a couple of sellers for in tank lift pumps for Dispatches on ebay. You might get lucky and find a knowledgeable one. There is little point them pushing you one that doesn't fit the quoted model as they would have to pay return postage and refund.
And of course you don't necessarily need to buy one if you don't need it.

Another thing to consider might be any associated relays. I would expect to hear some clicking from them.

kenbw2 · 2025-08-24 22:36:09

OAT wrote:

Long shot, but how about letting a parts dealer or even Citroën dealer do your research? Try and buy a lift pump for that chassis number. They should have access to manufacturer's parts lists.

I've had luck with this, they even gave me the part number

RegW · 2025-08-25 01:04:29

Yes you do have a lift pump, the type depends on the engine you have which you haven't mentioned

OAT · 2025-08-25 17:23:54

Apparently, (according to AI):-

AI Overview
Fuel Pump assembly For Citroen C8, Dispatch, Synergie 1489083080, 0986580261 | eBay UK
On a 2010 (60 plate) Citroën Dispatch, the diesel lift pump is usually located on the engine block, before the secondary fuel filter, driven by the camshaft. To diagnose and find the part, identify your specific Dispatch engine (e.g., 1.6 HDi or 2.0 HDi)

Then:-

AI Overview
A 60-plate Citroën Dispatch does not have a separate "lift pump" in a submerged tank; instead, it uses a single, in-tank electric fuel pump that is submerged in the fuel and feeds directly to the high-pressure fuel system. Problems with the pump are indicated by difficulty starting, stalling, or engine juddering. To find the correct replacement, you must input your exact model and engine specifications into a vehicle parts selector on a website like Mister-auto.co.uk.

This and the info from Haynes seems a bit contradictory to me. I would be asking a dealer.

Also... Strange that it only appears to have one power feed?
Although I have seen some pumps which are in a housing which incorporates the level gauge so this may explain it.

kenbw2 · 2025-08-25 18:18:41

OAT wrote:

A 60-plate Citroën Dispatch does not have a separate "lift pump" in a submerged tank; instead, it uses a single, in-tank electric fuel pump that is submerged in the fuel

...isn't that what a lift pump is? It even contradicts itself

does not have a separate "lift pump" in a submerged tank; instead, it uses a single, in-tank electric fuel pump that is submerged in the fuel

Great

Garethw · 2025-08-26 18:20:04

Thanks for the replies.

I'm also not so sure I trust the AI (I work in IT so I get to see behind the curtain sometimes). I(*) have finally managed to move one of the stuck bolts by leavening the cage out of the way and getting a 24mm thin short spanner in there. (* I say I... My mate Martin who shares an office with me and is better at spannering than I am....) Just one to go now when I have another hour spare.

@OAT, I had never thought about contacting the main dealer. Great plan. I did do a few ebay searches but I'm never totally convinced that I trust them. Understand your logic, they won't want to be faffing with returns but still a teeny bit dubious. I'll have a look though.

@RegW, apologies, that would have been a really useful bit of info to include. It's the 2L Diesel, Engine number (if that helps any) is DYXA4043494. The variant (according the the log book) is XURHKH. I had assumed that I had one but the Haynes manual combined with the (apparent) lack of wires made me question my logic!

DavidYP10 · 2025-09-23 07:58:43

Hi Gareth. Have you made any progress identifying if you have an internal tank pump? Similar issue with mine this am. David

Garethw · 2025-11-23 14:39:48

Still struggling with this.

Not sure if anyone has a 2.0L and can confirm if there is an electric lift pump and where it is. I'm struggling to find a part number from anywhere and all the online retailers only seem to have the sender, no pump.

I have now managed to get all the bolts loose on the fuel tank but haven't found time to drop it and physically check.

On a suggestion from somewhere else I have also just tried changing the manual fuel bulb pump but frustratingly the one from Autodoc that says it's compatible is not. Either the connectors or the one way valve are the wrong way around! Still, I've blown some nice bubbles through the fuel line now.... ffs.

Garethw · 2025-12-02 18:25:36

So I've not resolved the issue but thought I would make a note here just in case anyone else comes across this thread.

Spoken to Citroen main parts team today (had to ring service and get them to go find the parts team as they _never_ answer the bloody phone) and;
The 2.0L Diesel engine (XURHKH) only has the one pump and it's the on on the engine. No "lift" pump. The fuel tank only has a sender unit in with the fuel level float switch thingy.
The manual priming bulb (that I suspect is part of the issue) is part of an assembly that comes with other bits and bobs. Part number is 1574 CN, retail inc vat circa £210. But... it's not in stock anywhere and has no lead time against it so the parts guy said that means it's no longer available.

I think I found the right thing on German ebay for 120 euro but not convinced that buying that is a great idea.

Still getting the occasional engine warning light error related to glow plugs and whilst I don't think that failing glow plugs would cause these issues I figure I should probably just do that to rule it out.

OAT · 2025-12-03 11:51:40

It is a difficult choice to make when when you don't know if it would be a fix anyway.

You need to consider the value of the van, both in fixed and in as is condition with the fault. If the gap is very large, it may be worth a bit more of a gamble. But if it would only add a few hundred £, probably not.

Personaly, I would go for a used one from an established ebay seller who states on the listing that they accept returns. If they clearly say they accept returns, ebay themselves will intervine and take the money from sellers account if they resisted.

Try it and if no fix, clean it up and return it. You bought a used part, and returned a used part.

Last edited by OAT (2025-12-03 11:54:00)

RegW · 2025-12-03 18:12:10

So, to try and sum it all up in as concisely as I can.

it appears you have a DW10 UTED4 / RHK engine which is
a 2.0 litre common rail Turbo-diesel 16-valve with catalyst
Euro 5 compliant
and this variant has an engine mounted lift pump.
( like many of the 1.6 HDI's BTW)
You have still neglected to mention mileage.........

For comparison, my 2006 2.0 HDI (DW10 ATED / RHZ) has an electrical in tank lift pump
which at 135K is running well (fingers crossed)

Reported Fault:
intermittent starting issues, once started it runs ok

Correct?

'Test don't Guess' is my wee mantra when debugging but we all cant help guessing anyway
cos we're all human right?

If it were my vehicle I would get the OBD kit running on it and check fault codes
for clues before committing to spending.
Not all faults trigger an eml light.
I've got various VCIs up to a bootlegged Lexia which runs in WinXP in a VM (I hate it!)
but my favourite for the Expert is a Multidiag pro from Aliexpress running bootlegged Delphi.
This may not get under the hood as far as Lexia, but it gets the codes and some other data
which is all I want most of the time and it works on other vehicles too.
I've used it on my Expert and recently a 2011 Peugeot 308 1.6 HDI and a 2001 1.8 petrol Audi TT to read/clear fault codes.

Last edited by RegW (2025-12-03 18:13:38)

tee_cee · 2025-12-04 08:18:39

@RegW
Seems to be a lot of those Multi diagnose pros for sale. Are they all the same?

RegW · 2025-12-04 11:38:59

Aha!
Glad you asked that as it reminded me it was the second one and I had some faffery getting one that worked

full stories and link to what I bought to save me typing it out again
on these 2 threads

https://dispatchexpertscudo.org.uk/foru … hp?id=2071

https://dispatchexpertscudo.org.uk/foru … hp?id=2083

The one I bought from aliexpress that works came in a different case but had the same PCBs inside
and software
It works on both USB and BT but USB seems quicker so I tend to use that over BT

Last edited by RegW (2025-12-04 11:51:50)

tee_cee · 2025-12-04 15:05:09

Thanks, do you know which one you have, seems to be many h/w & s/w versions

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#1 2025-08-24 15:54:37

Chasing a ghost? Lift pump on a 60 plate Dispatch

#2 2025-08-24 20:46:59

Re: Chasing a ghost? Lift pump on a 60 plate Dispatch

#3 2025-08-24 22:36:09

Re: Chasing a ghost? Lift pump on a 60 plate Dispatch

#4 2025-08-25 01:04:29

Re: Chasing a ghost? Lift pump on a 60 plate Dispatch

#5 2025-08-25 17:23:54

Re: Chasing a ghost? Lift pump on a 60 plate Dispatch

#6 2025-08-25 18:18:41

Re: Chasing a ghost? Lift pump on a 60 plate Dispatch

#7 2025-08-26 18:20:04

Re: Chasing a ghost? Lift pump on a 60 plate Dispatch

#8 2025-09-23 07:58:43

Re: Chasing a ghost? Lift pump on a 60 plate Dispatch

#9 2025-11-23 14:39:48

Re: Chasing a ghost? Lift pump on a 60 plate Dispatch

#10 2025-12-02 18:25:36

Re: Chasing a ghost? Lift pump on a 60 plate Dispatch

#11 2025-12-03 11:51:40

Re: Chasing a ghost? Lift pump on a 60 plate Dispatch

#12 2025-12-03 18:12:10

Re: Chasing a ghost? Lift pump on a 60 plate Dispatch

#13 2025-12-04 08:18:39

Re: Chasing a ghost? Lift pump on a 60 plate Dispatch

#14 2025-12-04 11:38:59

Re: Chasing a ghost? Lift pump on a 60 plate Dispatch

#15 2025-12-04 15:05:09

Re: Chasing a ghost? Lift pump on a 60 plate Dispatch

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