Hi,

I recently posted about my fuel gauge not working correctly and i’ve just found out I need a new petrol level sending unit. The mechanic said they cost £345 from Jennings Ford which I can believe. Are all sending units the same or do I have to buy a Ford one? Also, once I have it, are they easy enough to fit yourself or is it a job for a mechanic?

Cheers,

Matt

Edit: I’ve just got a reply from a company who breaks cars down for spares and they have one available for £20. Its a long way from £345 so i’m wondering if its actually ok?

I think they are so expensive because the fuel pump is attached. Try eBay:

New £180:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fuel-Pump-and-Sender-Unit-Ford-Please-Check-Fitment-/280783994575?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item416007becf

Second hand £15:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Escort-MK6-1-8-Zetec-115-PS-T-Reg-Fuel-Pump-Sender-/270864658176?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3f10caaf00

I dont know how easy these are to fit. You may have to drop the tank.

So will i have to change the pump as well or can you just change the sending unit and leave the pump?

Thanks for the links as well.

You always take a chance buying a used item but you can get an absolute bargain. If its an FSU off the same model car - go for it, thats a £20 risk to lose, but its better than a £340 pound bill straight up! you will be surprised that breaker parts can be very good!

IMHO - buy it if its the same car, however if its a different car, I wouldnt be so confident.

Reference fitting, well you need to pull the back seats out the way, and gain access to the fuel tank, the remove, and refit the 'new' piece - shouldnt be too difficult!

Good Luck!

Thanks Jeebowhite!!! I’m getting it from a huge breakers that near me. I told them i need it for a Ford Escort and they sent a quoting stating” Ford escort sending unit’. They are a legitimate business so I trust them. As for the fitting, I might just actually leave it to a professional, i’ll probably struggle with getting the seats up!

I've fitted these myself before and it's an easy job on the Escorts mate, can't see you having any problems. Once the rear seats are lifted (they just pull up) you'll see the unit with cables going to it. Unplug the cables and nuts (I think you'll need a 13mm socket and there's two bolts) and just pull the old unit out. There's a rubber seal which will be around it so try not to damage that otherwise your passengers might start getting high on the smell of fuel :D

Dan

Cheers Dan! I’m not sure what to do now because it does seem like a pretty simple thing to do and I reckon I could d it but the mechanic I usually go to, and the family has been going to him for 15 years said he’ll need to drop the tank to replace it. I trust him as we use him all the time and he lives just down the road, but I does seem like an easy job after what you’ve said that and the video’s i’ve seen on youtube.

I know when you buy one from the Ford dealership you’ve got to buy it with the fuel pump. Does this mean the fuel pump is attached or not? I also read that you need to disconnect the battery, ground the wires, release relay pressure or something.

Never heard of the FSU being connected to the petrol pump??? The FSU is a seperate system, its basically like a toilet systen float! connect a wire to it, that sends a resistance to the fuel gauge, less resistance more full the fuel tank is (I hope thats the right way around!)

But I have never heard of the two being connected unless they just strongly advise replace one, and the other at the same time??

Hi mate, glad I was of some help. Ford saying it's connected to the fuel pump does sound a little odd, from what I remember doing the same job on my brothers Escort it has its own little cut out in the fuel tank where it sits, and with the nuts & washer it just sits in there. Like jeebowhite said it looks like a ballcock (Don't know if that will be bleeped out but it's called that!) :D

I think the fuel pump is a seperate unit and is connected either inline with the fuel hoses going to the injector rail/assembly or right where the pipes take off from the tank itself. It's located in a similar position and is usually located under the rear seats (as far as I know) but isn't fitted in one unit with the fuel sender unit.

When doing any midly complicated work it's always advisable to disconnect the negative terminal as this will protect you if you short wires or for example, having the fuel pump go mad if it senses less pressure in the fuel system etc.

If you aren't confident in the job mate, just leave it to the mechanic and it won't take him long - I reckon an hour tops and he will probably find there's no need to drop the tank like he thought!

Dan

lol, I would personally prefer disconnecting both cables from the battery - then your safer still! lol