Bluegrass
Active member
Note: I have NOT had a HPFP fail on my '09! (knock on wood)
Right before I went into the dealership to look at the '09 models, I took my '06 in for it's 40k service. I saw the mechanic in the service bay and inquired about the '09's, and he told me he had had to replace a fuel system. Naturally, I assumed that the owner had made a mistake, or something to that effect. This was not the case.
Three months later, I trade my '06 in on an '09, not hearing anymore about the issue, but reading about the HPFP failures here on the forum.
Fast-Forward to today:
I take my '09 in for it's 10k, and catch the mechanic in the service bay again.
I ask him about the HPFP issues, and lo and behold, he states that they have had one recently, but only the one previously and this current one.
Well, later on while I wait, I get a visit by a person, who says to come look at the pump before they pitch it. I was excited to get this chance, after following the threads here, especially concerning the bad fuel, rust, etc., claims of other dealerships.
I can tell you this from my close observation of the disassembled pump. There is a design flaw in the piston to cam surface area, that no matter what fuel, additive or anything else you use, will cause catastrophic pump failure. The pump piston simply floats on a single roller that contacts the pump cam. If this roller is turned 90 degrees from parallel to the cam, then the roller AND cam grind each other to bits,right down the middle of each other.
There is no mechanism to keep the piston from rotating in the pump, to prevent this from happening, other than the pressure from the piston spring and the cam to roller contact.
So, if you see any metal at all on top of the fuel filter, get ready, because the damage(s) are already done to the HPFP and the cam.
Sorry I did not take pictures, to protect the innocent. I really, really, wanted to!
I hope this helps anyone, because I know now I am armed and ready if it happens to my '09, which had the tranny recall done already.
Right before I went into the dealership to look at the '09 models, I took my '06 in for it's 40k service. I saw the mechanic in the service bay and inquired about the '09's, and he told me he had had to replace a fuel system. Naturally, I assumed that the owner had made a mistake, or something to that effect. This was not the case.
Three months later, I trade my '06 in on an '09, not hearing anymore about the issue, but reading about the HPFP failures here on the forum.
Fast-Forward to today:
I take my '09 in for it's 10k, and catch the mechanic in the service bay again.
I ask him about the HPFP issues, and lo and behold, he states that they have had one recently, but only the one previously and this current one.
Well, later on while I wait, I get a visit by a person, who says to come look at the pump before they pitch it. I was excited to get this chance, after following the threads here, especially concerning the bad fuel, rust, etc., claims of other dealerships.
I can tell you this from my close observation of the disassembled pump. There is a design flaw in the piston to cam surface area, that no matter what fuel, additive or anything else you use, will cause catastrophic pump failure. The pump piston simply floats on a single roller that contacts the pump cam. If this roller is turned 90 degrees from parallel to the cam, then the roller AND cam grind each other to bits,right down the middle of each other.
There is no mechanism to keep the piston from rotating in the pump, to prevent this from happening, other than the pressure from the piston spring and the cam to roller contact.
So, if you see any metal at all on top of the fuel filter, get ready, because the damage(s) are already done to the HPFP and the cam.
Sorry I did not take pictures, to protect the innocent. I really, really, wanted to!
I hope this helps anyone, because I know now I am armed and ready if it happens to my '09, which had the tranny recall done already.