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Mon Dec 08, 2003 4:00 pm

got a good one here.

i have a fuel injected 2L engine with hydraulic lifters. the problem is i only have the computer, injectors with rails, and the fuel pressure regulator, and of course the FI gas tank. thats it. would i be cheaper to just get a carb to get my van going or should i try and locate all of the parts required for EFI. i know mass airflow meters are not cheap and neither are some of the other stuff, if its even still available.

if you think a carb would be the cheaper option. what type should i use dual, single, weber, stock solex (but then i have the fun of trying to find the balancing tubes), dellorto, blah blah blah.

this should help you make your decission. i am a poor student living on loans and stuff and i am just trying to get this together so i can travel home and stuff.

lates

Mon Dec 08, 2003 4:43 pm

Gee I think I would try to get the fuel injection system to work before I went to a carb set up. You will be into carbs for $300-400 is my guess and a couple of weeks dinking with it.

I assume you have a 78-79 "Federal" set up which I think is what they used to use in Canada. One of you guys from the frozen north know about that, eh?

If all you really need is a AFM for your model, you could either get one off the Samba classifieds from someone, from a junkyard, or from your local VW Club up there. You could buy a new one for around $300 would be my guess. I would guess someone also rebuilds them. Plenty of them around I would think unless you are looking for one. Another option would be to buy the whole set up that works from someone who just went to a carb(s) setup.

Here is a good place to do the troubleshooting of the system once you get it back together:

http://www.conservatory.com/vw/manuals_nyx/

Do you really have fuel all over the driveway? If so where is it coming from? Do the gas lines first IMO.

Mon Dec 08, 2003 4:48 pm

Dude I have had been through your exact same position, being that I am 18 an income of 200 dollar a week if decent for me. So when I bought my bus and it had FI troubles I spent $330 for a set of dual single barrel webers 34 pict. Didnt have to much trouble trying to tune them just had to sort out a vacuum leak. I highly recommend them, and dansperformanceparts.com where I got them from. Worth every dollar. If you have any trouble let me know I might be able to help you. If you go the carb route that is. Thanks man

Kyle--
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78 Transporter
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Mon Dec 08, 2003 5:08 pm

That's a tough one. I'd really depends how long you are willing to wait to find the parts at the lowest prices. Certainly the cost of two carbs is going to be lower than the remaining FI parts you'll need at new prices. The cost of the carbs will go down even more when you offset the cost with the sale of the FI parts you have now.

Based on my own junkyard adventures, I've found the following bargains recently: ECU $15, AFM $20, FI pump $6, AAR $10, CSV $5, DR $5, Decel valve $2.50, Series resistors free. I'd only use a new temp sensor II.

The hardest part to find is the year specific ECU especially if you have an automatic and you already have that part so you're off to a good start. FYI, the 020 AFM (bosch number) was common to several models and I've heard you can go back to the 018 AFM because it has 7-pins unlike the earlier 012 AFM. I'm not sure what changed when the number changed but I've read the tech note that says you can put the 020 AFM in a 77 bus that orignally had an 018 AFM so that's my basis for compatibility.

Bus Depot has the best price on reman. AFMs: $150.

Certainly finding used FI parts is the cheapest way to get your bus going but if your experience will be anything like mine, you'll have to visit several junkyards over several months and will be disappointed at times. I was looking for the ECU each time so I'll wager your luck will be better. Luckily I was looking for spares in many cases and wasn't put off by the search. If I was trying to get my bus running for the first time I probably would have given up before I caved and paid for new parts or Samba FI prices which I think are too high.

The cost of buying all new FI parts (I mean all of them) is around $1600-1800. I generally prefer new but I'll try used based on my experience with the reliability of FI and the cost of new parts. Even injectors can be cleaned for $11 per injector.

Mon Dec 08, 2003 8:30 pm

Ebay, Ebay, Ebay. I see this stuff on Ebay all the time. I have even purchased a couple of spare systems off Ebay myself. The AFM is the most expensive part you need and I see them regularly for $30 or less. The other parts rarely even bring $10-$15 each. The fuel pump will run about $40-$50, but I nearly got a bad one the last time I purchased from Ebay. It was locked up, but I filled it with diesel and rapped it on the concrete a couple of times then it started to work fine. If you get one that's leaking fuel throw it away.

With regards to the compatibility you need to look for an AFM with a 7-pin connector. I have mixed and matched all 7-pin parts from 1977-82 and have never noticed any difference in performance. I'm sure there has to be some changes within the ECU, but it's not apparent when driving. Good luck.

Tue Dec 09, 2003 11:56 am

thanks alot, so what i take from everyones comments is try ebay first. for all the stuff i need and then if that fails to work out then try to find some carbs cheap, perhaps ebay again.

i am fairly isolated, so there are no real junkyards in my area and also even fewer aircooled dubs. so i'll let you know how it goes and i will post my solution with costs and stuff.

perhaps it will help someone make a decision in the future

Tue Dec 09, 2003 6:37 pm

just my 2 cents and i know this debate has been beatin into ground. but, take the time and replace the efi system. you'll be glad you did when you're cruising 65-70mph on the freeway and getting 20-22mpg to boot!!!
good luck with your decision! dave

Tue Dec 09, 2003 8:37 pm

I didn't pay attention to your location the first time I posted, but I just noticed you are in Canada. Carbs would be a huge pain in the a$$ during winter in Canada. This is especially true if you get dual carbs without a choke setup. Many duals don't have chokes. The progressive single carb will also be problematic unless you build some type of heat riser system to get rid of carb ice. I'm a believer in the stock fuel injection in any climate, but especially in cold climates. Whatever it takes you should stick with the fuel injection. Good luck.

Wed Dec 10, 2003 12:04 pm

Wow, good point. I lived in Ottawa in Bells Corners during the winter of 90-91 and it was unpleasant even with a new car. At least the bus has great traction with the right tires!

Wed Dec 10, 2003 12:15 pm

gas_all, pm me with an exact list of what you are missing. if i don't have it, i can get it, and no hassles with cross-border shipping.