1.6 Ecoboost P2636 fuel pump B low performance

[Smartd00d]

Hi all,

Has anyone experienced problems with the Ecoboosts with codes P2636 initially with Engine light on, then limp mode which clears then eventually remains and throwing P0087 code too?

I’m think low pressure fuel sensor or high pressure fuel pump, or maybe the hp sensor/lp tank pump..

Any experience like this at all please?

[unofix]

The real DTC is P2636. The second code is just a generic fuel delivery DTC P0087

Problem with the high pressure fuel pump. You should not drive the car until this problem is fixed.

[Smartd00d]

Thanks Unofix. That was my first thought along with the low pressure sensor.

Got it towed home after it starting running rough, it’s going nowhere for a bit now.

Cheers, I’ll update if things progress.

[Smartd00d]

Ok high pressure fuel pump and low pressure sensor changed, no difference.

Still throwing P0087 - Fuel Rail/System Pressure - Too Low (Bank 1), but also P053F - Cold Start Fuel Pressure Performance Bank 1 aswell.

Also misfiring in cylinders 2 and 3 (logged as DTCs), but idle’s steady. Definitely unburnt fuel coming out the exhaust as smoke puffs, strong smell of petrol. I initially thought this was limp mode, as the misfire cleared before it became permanent last weekend.

Other observations are that the fuel priming when turning ignition on is pulsing 4/5 times rather than a single long prime, accompanied with clicking from the passenger fuse board like a relay.

Also when changing the hp fuel pump I noticed the camshaft sensor plug was wet with oil in the connector contacts. I didn’t have a spare so cleaned as much as I could and refitted. No camshaft sensor DTCs..

The fuel rail pressure is around 2400 kPa.

So what next?? 
I’m thinking new high pressure fuel rail sensor and new camshaft position sensor maybe?

Amy ideas/experience please?

[unofix]

Quite a complex problem, and when you eventually find the answer I bet it will be simple !! All you have to do is find it.

So it seems you have good fuel rail pressure, but the fuel pump pulsing on and off while priming would seem the system thinks it's not holding pressure. It might be that it is not holding the pressure due to a small leak or that the fuel rail sensor is faulty.

The misfire on one and two. Maybe the injectors are leaking which could be where the pressure is been lost during the priming stage. Check around the injectors for signs of any fuel. Disconnect the wiring from all the injectors and see if the fuel pump runs up to pressure and stops as it should.

If there are no signs of fuel leaking, and with the injectors all disconnected the fuel pump still keeps pulsing on and off then I would suspect the fuel rail pressure sensor.

The camshaft position sensor doesn't come in to play until the the engine starts to rotate so should have no bearing on the problem with the fuel pump priming on and off.

@TomsFocus might be able to help advise more on the problem than I can.

[TomsFocus]

This one's got me stumped as well I'm afraid.  It usually is the HP pump triggering these fault codes on the EcoBoosts.

I'm pretty sure 2400kpa isn't enough rail pressure though.  That's only about 24 bar...I'd be expecting double that.

@JW1982  Might be more help!

[JW1982]

On a 1.6 ECOboost these DTC codes and symptoms are usually caused by a defective Fuel Pump Control Module. This module controls the low pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank

As far as I remember the Fuel Pump Control Module on a Fiesta should be located under the driver seat (probaly under the carpet).

[Smartd00d]

Thanks all, useful info. @JW1982 the car is a 2013 Smax 1.6 ecoboost. Do you know where the fuel pump control module is in that at all?

[Smartd00d]

Here’s something interesting to add, unbeknownst to me, the aircon drain hose has been leaking in the driver’s footwell again and has soaked the driver carpet/sound-deadening and flowed back in to the under seat cubby hole/rear passenger foot well and is really soaked. 
If the fuel pump control module is under there it’s gonna be swimming..

[Smartd00d]

Ok, problem solved!

It’s taken two months of investigation and remedy but finally fixed. Most likely culprit is contaminated fuel!

The tank was lowered and pump (pump B as we confirmed), inspected and the pump was seen to be dirty and remaining fuel was ‘off colour’. 
At the same time, the spark plugs were removed and a prime test was done and injector 2 was leaking like a sieve (seen via bore scope through spark plug hole). Spark plug two super clean aswell due to excess fuel and no fire. Other spark plugs incredibly dirty.

Tank pump replaced (£600!), tank emptied and cleaned, injector 2 replaced and new plugs all done, but still the problem remained..

Another bore scope inspection showed injector 3 leaking at prime stage, so all three remaining injectors were replaced and Bingo! Cataclean added to fuel to clean any remaining crap.

Touch wood running like normal and long may it continue.

In this case the original high pressure pump (confirmed as pump A), the driver control model and both pressure sensors were all fine.

I had to refer this to a local mobile Ford specialist, a brilliant guy called Martin who owns MC4 Autos (www.mc4autos.co.uk), based in and around Croydon, Surrey. I highly recommend his services. He is thorough, knowledgable, prompt and fair.

That’s it for now!