Fuel pump Maintenence questions

[Frodge]

What if anything are you folks doing periodically to see if your fuelbpump is OK. Is there anything that your go ng to look for internal leaks? Or is this something that would make itself known.

[busdaddy]

It usually is obvious when it lets go, either externally or on the dipstick. If you are curious lift it a little and confirm it's still packed with grease underneath.
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

Слава Україні!

[rutzpa]

Saw a youtube video said make sure the rod moves freely in the stand. Especially when the engine is good and hot.

[Frodge]

What is the best option at this point? Rebuild or new? What are you folks doing? Any good rebuild kits or is a new pump the best bet?

[Cusser]

[Glenn]

I think the last time I had a pump fail was in the 1980s.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

[Frodge]

I have a pierburg original on mine. Not sure if it was ever rebuilt or replaced.

[Meiang]

A lot of people complain that the rebuilt kits currently on the market are not of very good quality especially with respect to the "fit" of the rubber diaphrams and they leak. I can't confirm if that is true as I have not used the after market kits and don't intend too. Luckily I found a good supply of original German manufactured original VW boxed fuel pump rebuild kits from Germany. They are still available but you have to be prepared to scan Ebay.de on a regular basis as they don't come up that often.

I have a few NOS pumps are and have found the diaphrams are like new even after 30 or more years.

[Tim Donahoe]

I bought a nice alternator-style Brosol pump from Wolfgang International. It has the c-clip on the pivot shaft. While running, i tested the pressure, which was a little under 3 lbs. No stacking of gaskets required.

The only issue I had was my own fault. I packed the underside with grease. Later, grease came out the weep hole. Turns out, you should only grease the tongue where it meets the rod--not stuff it all up in there .

Tim
_________________
Let's do the Time Warp again!

Richard O'Brien

[Glenn]

The only maint I can think of is to apply fresh grease to the underside of the pump where the lever is.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

[Zundfolge1432]

The older pumps had a cone shaped filter which required periodic cleaning .

[Frodge]

Thanks guys!

[wcfvw69]

If it's a Pierburg like this picture, as mentioned, check the cone fuel filter. I'm not aware of any decent, currently sold Pierburg fuel pump repair kits. The ones Wolfsburg West sold have issues. They included the main diaphragm spring being too stiff which caused excess fuel pressure. All the steel replacement parts where shoddy, cheap and didn't fit. The shaft that the main diaphragm and spring sit on was also a bit short which made pre-loading the diaphragm difficult and contributed to the excess fuel pump pressure.

I saw Cussers post where he rebuilt his original Pierburg pump. The kit looked like it may have been a newer version than the last one I bought a couple of years ago. I called WW and was told it was the same kit from the same manufacturer in Brazil. So, Cusser needs to check his fuel pressure when he get's his engine running if the pump works.

The only rebuild kits I've used that worked rebuilding the square top Pierburg fuel pumps were the NOS kits made in Mexico that are NLA, the rebuild kit VW sold in a VW box back in the day and the Effbe kits.

These NOS fuel pump repair kits do pop up for sale occasionally. The prices have gone up for them as well. It seems $50 up is the going price. I recently saw 2 original VW repair kits and grabbed them.
_________________
Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc

Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.

**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours**

[Cusser]

[airschooled]

Cusser, since you've worked on your bug for a while, do you own a vacuum gauge? Most old school gauges have vacuum and fuel pressure built in.

Robbie
_________________
Learn how your vintage VW works. And why it doesn't!
One-on-one tech help for your Volkswagen:
www.airschooled.com

[wcfvw69]

Cusser, I found it odd too. I called WW about something else on the phone. I then asked them about this kit. Sean said this fuel pump repair kit is from the same manufacture they've been buying them from since 2002 in Brazil.

I agree that the kit you bought Cusser has new parts in it that the kit didn't have a couple of years ago. Maybe WW isn't being honest about this. I know they received many angry emails/phone calls a couple of years ago about that kit that they were selling then. Many people with LOTS of experience couldn't make that kit work for the reasons I stated in my other post yet they continued to sell it.
_________________
Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc

Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.

**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours**

[Frodge]

My last question on this thread is what would you folks use if yoir current pump bit the bullet? Thanks for all the suggestions this far.

[Cusser]

[Frodge]

[Cusser]