electronic fuel pump

[moggiethouable]

Decided to fit today a new set of points and condenser.
No major issues there.
However I also felt a little planned maintenance on the fuel pump may be in order and having never attempted it before I was quite looking forward to it.
It seems the previous owner has fitted an electronic unit,certainly resistors and capacitors abound when the protective cover is removed.
As there dont appear to be any contact breakers, I assume the ticking I hear on switch on is some kind of relay.
The question is, are there any parts to be maintained and is this type of unit a step forward in reliability, or should I carry a spare S.U. pump just in case?

[bmcecosse]

The 'electronic' ones don't have a great reputation.... I would carry a known-good spare.......

[simmitc]

A few years ago, there was a batch of bad electronic units. However, I have three in service at present and they have been faultless over 1000's of miles and several years. I still always carry a spare pump, but have not had to fit one since going electronic, and no, there is nothing to service with the electronic ones, unless the diaphragm splits, but that will be many years down the line.

[MarkyB]

Like all things electronic once it's failed it's game over, nothing to be done except fit another one.

[moggiethouable]

Thanks for all the information.
The pump fitted is an "Autopump" made in New Zealand I think, I dont think it is too modern and the fuel line has been modified slightly to accomodate its fittings.
I shall invest in a spare S.U. unit and fit a length of fuel line in advance to suit, better safe than sorry.
Or maybe even fit a new S.U. unit and keep the electronic one as a spare

[simmitc]

I'd just add that the pumps to which I refer are the genuine SU electronic ones. It's also worth noting for anyone considering them, that you must order the correct polarity for the car, they cannot be converted.

[M25VAN]

Can an electronic pump be easily changed back to a standard type pump? I see you can buy a kit to convert to electronic.
As an aside I also notice that there seems to be a production problem at the moment, according to Bull Motif, with SU pumps...

[moggiethouable]

Fitted the new S.U. electro-mechanical pump today and keeping the old N.Z. pump in the boot as a spare just in case.
I am pleased with the result, but even more pleased having found that the inlet pipe at the pump housing was held on with twined wire.(not a spelling mistake, not twinned but twined)
I assume this was because it was more difficult to fit a clip in an enclosed and tight space for the previous owner .[frame][/frame]sheesh.