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KevinsKamper Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2014 Posts: 72 Location: Massachusetts
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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2014 9:59 am Post subject: Fuel Pressure Regulator... |
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So Im replacing my fuel lines on my newly acquired 90 Westy w/ 92k miles on it...I'm dropping the tank also to replace the cooling lines to SS and will be replacing the hard fuel lines and tank lines as well....so heres my question and I know its a slippery slope, but should I replace the fuel pump, filter and pressure regulator at the same time with the new fuel lines?....They aren't exactly cheap parts and the van runs fine now....how long should these parts last?...they look like they could be original w 92k miles.....Thanks Kevin _________________ 1990 Westfalia GL
1980 Toyota Sport Truck 4wd
1981 Toyota DLX 4wd
1983 Toyota SR5 4wd |
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insyncro Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 15086 Location: New York
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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2014 10:19 am Post subject: |
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A very simple fuel pressure test will show if any of those parts are weak or not operating properly.
No need to replace what is working just fine. |
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dart330 Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2004 Posts: 454 Location: Houston, TX
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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2014 10:20 am Post subject: |
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I would do the filter and pressure regulator (you won't know immediately when it fails). I carry a spare pump under the back seat waiting for the original to wear out. |
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nacradriver Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2009 Posts: 760 Location: Ventura, CA
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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2014 10:34 am Post subject: |
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My father had a saying when it came to car repair... don't spend money you don't have to, but some times that money is well spent..
The way I see it is you have the fuel system apart may as well go for it and keep the others as a back up... _________________ Güdrun -1989 Westfalia - 2013 - 2018
Petra - 1985 Vanagon - 1985 to 1991
Zisa - 1974 VW Van "Bus" - 1974 to 1985 |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32625 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2014 10:59 am Post subject: |
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I know that I think differently from many .......
But, if you are that far into it, all new lines, tank is cleaned and resealed, I would consider it folly to not replace the fuel filter, the pressure regulator (a rubber diaphramed unit proven to fail) and if you've got the coin.... The fuel pump, save the old pump as a back up, drain it well, run some diesel or other rust preventative into it, bag it up and store it as a spare you carry, either for yourself or to help a fellow Vanagon owner along the highways of life.
Dave _________________ Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos
Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473
Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537
Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert
Last edited by djkeev on Sun Dec 28, 2014 11:14 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Wildthings Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50347
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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2014 11:08 am Post subject: |
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Pumps can last 2-300K miles so yours is still a baby. Don't know the level of deterioration you should expect to see with age verses use though. The FPR would be a maybe, while the fuel filter which is cheap and as a normal maintenance item should be replaced.
If you are planning long road trips especially into more remote areas carrying spares might be in order. Note that there are alternate fuel pumps that will work fine and cost much less than the original. Search for "Ford Ranger fuel pump".
Last edited by Wildthings on Sun Dec 28, 2014 5:27 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Merian Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014 Posts: 5212 Location: Orygun
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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2014 11:52 am Post subject: |
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see Ben's Place for some info on the FPR
whether it will fail slowly or fail suddenly with no warning is the issue on replacing something while it is still working
the FPR is also $70 and can fail catastrophically, so that is another factor
no reason to replace the fuel pump
BTW - how old are your rubber brake hoses??? |
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KevinsKamper Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2014 Posts: 72 Location: Massachusetts
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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2014 2:01 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the replys.....I will definitely replace the filter and will probably do the pump and fpr, and keep the old working units as backup as suggested, I will feel better knowing that the fuel system is basically new....I plan on keeping this westy for a long time....and yes, the rubber brake hoses are scary and new ones are on order. _________________ 1990 Westfalia GL
1980 Toyota Sport Truck 4wd
1981 Toyota DLX 4wd
1983 Toyota SR5 4wd |
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morymob Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2007 Posts: 4683 Location: east-tn
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Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 6:40 am Post subject: |
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I do carry a good used spare, in over 20yrs of wbx's, 1 over 12 yrs,, 5 owned so far (2 now) on ly pump replaced was on 1st, not sure it was bad (with used 1). If u ever do get a bad one take apart, u easily will see why they last so long, QUALITY, not cheap plastic. I just reclean,replace 2 o-rings & good indefinitely, my 2cts. Despite the static keep a good filter between tank & pump. |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16503 Location: Brookeville, MD
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snowsyncro Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2009 Posts: 1557 Location: East Preston, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 7:29 pm Post subject: |
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A couple of weeks ago I was replacing split coolant hose. While working underneath, I noticed a hose clamp had rusted off where the fuel line joins the plastic firewall junction. Under pressure it was dripping fuel, directly above the #1 exhaust header. Replaced the hose clamps with proper FI clamps, finished with the coolant hose, and moved to the top of the engine for bleeding. While running the engine I saw a nicely atomized fuel mist spraying directly at the alternator. FPR had developed a pinhole at the base of the nipple where the right side FI rail fuel return is. My lucky day.
RonC |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16503 Location: Brookeville, MD
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Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 7:32 pm Post subject: |
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snowsyncro wrote: |
A couple of weeks ago I was replacing split coolant hose. While working underneath, I noticed a hose clamp had rusted off where the fuel line joins the plastic firewall junction. Under pressure it was dripping fuel, directly above the #1 exhaust header. Replaced the hose clamps with proper FI clamps, finished with the coolant hose, and moved to the top of the engine for bleeding. While running the engine I saw a nicely atomized fuel mist spraying directly at the alternator. FPR had developed a pinhole at the base of the nipple where the right side FI rail fuel return is. My lucky day.
RonC |
When was the last time the fuel lines were replaced? And eliminate that plastic fire wall fuel connection too.... _________________ Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
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Wildthings Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50347
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Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 8:03 pm Post subject: |
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snowsyncro wrote: |
While running the engine I saw a nicely atomized fuel mist spraying directly at the alternator. FPR had developed a pinhole at the base of the nipple where the right side FI rail fuel return is. My lucky day. |
You people who see winter road salts live dangerously. |
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