Ford Puma Engine's Conked!!!

[Answerprancer]

My otherwise brilliant Puma conked out on the way back from work today.
It made a slight grinding/buzzing noise then stopped. This made me worry that the cam belt might have failed but I've discounted this as a) it was replaced when it should have been and b) the engine turned over normally on the key. Also, after a short waiting for a friend to come and help me push it off the road, I had another go and it started although VERY lumpy as if it was only firing on a couple of cylinders.
I took the plastic cover off the engine and cleaned out a bit of oil/water that had collected in the plug well, I also cleaned the plugs/lead end and replaced everything ...nothing, it won't fire up at all.
Another friend who has a car derived from the Puma (a 2002 Zetec S) suggested it might be to do with water in the air intake/throttle system.
Any ideas suggestions gratefully received, it's currently stranded about a mile from my house.

[Hopkirk]

Are you in the AA/RAC/Green Flag or similar?

[Answerprancer]

No, and I need to get it recovered back home, I'll have to get a private firm to do it.
Does anyone have any idea what may have caused this sudden engine failure?

[GRUMPY]

Sounds obvious i know but how much fuel have you got in the tank?
hard to diagnose, as from your explanation it could be a number of things
but probably a fuel supply problem.

[Answerprancer]

It was low but not that low, and just to be sure I put a gallon into the tank.
I'm wondering if it could be a blocked fuel filter or injector/s.

[TWR]

Get the car compression tested, poss Valves.

suggested it might be to do with water in the air intake/throttle system. ???

Have you driven through a flood etc?

[Answerprancer]

Thanks TWR.
Yes, I did about 70 miles in driving rain on xmas day/boxing day including sheets of water across the road, the car sat up the driveway until I used it yesterday. What's weird though is that it was fine for a return journey of about 30 miles then just conked about a mile from home.

[tamborine]

battery power ?

[TWR]

Check the dip stick, does It show signs of water within? If it shows water, drop the oil / filter refill with flushing oil, drop then re-fill, then drop & refill, you can flush the filter out with degreaser. the oil filter out with take off the Air Filter & check the filter. also check all your Elecrics! Clean / & WD 40 the lot.

[Answerprancer]

Ok *update* checked cam belt, it's ok - phew ':-)
Then checked fuel pipes disconnected them one at a time then turned the engine over - no fuel delivery.
So it looks as if a) the line is clogged with sh!t from when I've let the tank get very low a few times or b) the fuel pump is f***ed/blocked/fuse has blown, or the fuel filter is clogged up.
Any ideas which of these is most likely?
(Thanks for the help so far btw)

[tonyav]

Can you hear the fuel pump with the ignition on or feel any vibration from it using your hand if not have a look at the fuse.

[Answerprancer]

I haven't tried that yet - will do tomorrow when the thrashed battery is re-charged!

[Answerprancer]

Ok, there is no priming noise from the fuel pump when I turn the ignition key - apparently it makes a sound for about 3 sec, unless of course it is very quite and I need to get an assistant to stick their head close to where it's located.
I'm clinging on to hope that it's a blocked fuel filter and that is stopping the pump from working, fitting a new pump looks daunting and expensive and I'm skint.

[Answerprancer]

..oh yes and I checked the fuse and relay - both appear to be fine.

[TWR]

fitting a new pump looks daunting and expensive and I'm skint.

Check out ebay Answer, or any Ford Puma sites.

[Answerprancer]

Thanks TWR - I've just been in contact with someone who deals parts on a forum and he's offered one up at a very reasonable price.
With the Puma, it seems as though there are a couple of different options: the expensive one that appears to be Pump/sender, the lot in one unit and that goes for about £200. Then a single unit, looks like just the actual pump (?) for about £90. My main worry is whether I can actually do the job - getting under the jacked up car and dropping the tank looks pretty hair raising. I wonder how much a mobile mechanic would charge if I provide the part.

[Hopkirk]

I had a similar problem with my Fiesta - the fuse blew for the fuel pump.

The RAC man said it is an early warning of a failing pump, so I need to start thinking about what to do when it fails. He said it was OK to use a slightly higher rated fuse until the pump deteriorates.

He also said dropping the tank to get access to the pump is a nightmare - apparently the fixings for the tank often break causing problems.
Later Fiestas had access holes in the floor, but early ones only had a small hole for the wire.

Perhaps investigate to see how good access is from above.

He said he did it on a Fiesta by cutting a larger hole to get access, but that is beyond me.
So far the pump is still going with a slightly larger fuse. When it fails I will scrap the car.