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Garethw

Member

Registered: 2025-08-23

Posts: 6

Chasing a ghost? Lift pump on a 60 plate Dispatch

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

Member

From: Borders/Dales

Registered: 2017-01-03

Posts: 1,007

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

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

Administrator

From: Preston

Registered: 2017-11-26

Posts: 1,582

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

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

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2000 Citroen Dispatch 1.9TD XUD9 Camper Conversion
1999 Citroen Dispatch 1.9D DW8 Disassembled Camper Conversion
1996 Peugeot 806 1.9TD XUD9 Spare vehicle
1998 Citroen Synergie 1.9TD XUD9 Snapped timing belt

RegW

Member

From: Bristol

Registered: 2024-04-21

Posts: 334

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

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

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When all else fails, RTFM  - 2006 Expert 2.0 HDI/110

OAT

Member

From: Borders/Dales

Registered: 2017-01-03

Posts: 1,007

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

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

Administrator

From: Preston

Registered: 2017-11-26

Posts: 1,582

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

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

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2000 Citroen Dispatch 1.9TD XUD9 Camper Conversion
1999 Citroen Dispatch 1.9D DW8 Disassembled Camper Conversion
1996 Peugeot 806 1.9TD XUD9 Spare vehicle
1998 Citroen Synergie 1.9TD XUD9 Snapped timing belt

Garethw

Member

Registered: 2025-08-23

Posts: 6

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

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

Member

Registered: 2025-09-23

Posts: 1

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

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