Fuel pump issues? Stranded camping

Thrasher22

Could a dying fuel pump make a loud clacking and slight metallic grinding noise?

I'm 400km from home (and 100km) from the nearest mechanic, and I started noticing the above sound only when the engine is under load of 50% throttle or more and I can't drive faster than 40-50mph. It sounds like it's coming form halfway down the drivers side (by the fuel pump) and sounds normal when I give it gas out of gear. CHT was running concerningly hot around 500f, and it's 35c outside.

On a likely related note, we died on the highway last night and got a tow to the nearest town, only to find out that we were out of fuel, despite filling up 200km ago and normally getting 20mpg. While trying to diagnose the problem I switched back to spare kinda crappy points I filed down... The shop also mentioned they adjusted the timing, but it's running slightly rough now, so it might be wrong.

I might be able to limp to the closest town, but any suggestions or feedback based on what happened would be greatly appreciated! I have a decent amount of spares, tools, and my Bentley with me, but if I have to hitch to town would only have time for one trip before things close tomorrow.

It's a 75 with a 78 2000cc FI engine.
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Xevin · Samba Member Joined: January 08, 2014 Posts: 7635

Not sure if this would be related, but. How do your fuel filters look? Maybe crud from the bottom of the tank got sucked through, causing blockage some place.
Just a thought.
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aeromech · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2015 4:10 pm Post subject:

If be very concerned about the points and especially timing. If your engine is too far advanced you could be hearing detonation which can shortly destroy your engine.
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Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50352

If you don't have access to a timing light, then at least check your timing statically. Put your meter or test light on the negative (green wire) side of the coil and then with the ignition on and the tranny in neutral turn the engine very slowly clockwise past the 7.5° BTDC mark. You want the meter to suddenly show voltage right as the mark on the pulley passes the 7.5° mark on the timing scale. Turn the pulley CCW to about the 20° +/- mark and bring it forward again, CW, past the 7.5°mark, do this repeated until you are sure of exactly when the points open and turn the distributor as necessary to make it happen at 7.5° BTDC.

If you don't have a meter or test light then remove the coil wire from the distributor cap and set it so the brass terminal is about 1/4" from some metal part of the engine. Now do the procedure given above.

Try and verify that whatever mark(s) you have on your pulley are the correct ones. Check Ratwell.com for this info.

Malokin Martin · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2015 4:47 pm Post subject:

Check your tranny fluid ASAP!

Pump a pint in there and I bet it goes away.

Thrasher22 · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2015 4:50 pm Post subject:

Awesome explanation, thanks! I have a multimeter, I'll test ASAP...
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borninabus · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2015 6:12 pm Post subject:

what kind of fuel pressure is your possibly noisy fuel pump putting out?
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Thrasher22 · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2015 9:30 am Post subject:

Not sure on fuel pressure, didn't think to bring a gauge.

I statically set the timing last night and it sounds better, but there is a weird sound when I let off the gas. Were camping at the top of a big hill so I didn't want to risk getting stuck last night, I'll try and get out on the highway today.
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1975 Westfalia - http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=516701

morymob · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 4:56 am Post subject:

Describe 'weird ', could be a passenger, at what point did weird start?

Thrasher22 · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2015 8:36 pm Post subject:

It was a slight grinding sound, although after a few drives it went away (more weird).

Good new though, I made it home with the bus fully intact! After statically setting the timing statically, the bus drove 100x better, no longer made the horrible sound, but was still a bit rough. Drove slowly to the nearest city and bought a timing light, and drove cautiously, but normally home.

Thanks for the help, I hadn't thought of the timing and would have otherwise cooked my engine. Samba to the rescue Smile

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