Fuel Pump issues (?) - stuck just outside Munich

[NikC]

Hi All

I have been having an intermittent issue with what I think is my fuel pump, but would like opinions please ...

So basically I have a stock engine in my 56 and it had occasionally started to kind off stutter when going up hills (not all hills though) and sometimes on the flat just after hills.

The car has had all new fuel pipes and a new tank, so I can't see there been any crap in there ....

Anyways, I say it was intermittent so I felt brave and decided to "attempt" to bring the car back to Austria where I live from the UK, a 3 day drive I estimated, 1071 miles.

Day 1 UK to France - within the 1st 30 miles I had a couple of stutters, but nothing major, and backing off the gas or letting the speed reduce then dropping into 3rd always seemed to clear it. I also had one complete cut out, but after a restart it was all good. 383 miles done.

Day 2 France to Germany - loads of hills, but maybe saw the stutter once or twice all day. 395 miles done

Day 3 Germany to Austria - excited to be finally getting home, set off and did the 1st 3 hours nor problems at all, then hit traffic and a load of big hills and she just seemed t give up, the stutter started to happen on every hill on the Autobahn and on the flat, it would always correct but i had to keep pulling into the hard shoulder lane and it was just getting really dangerous the speed reduction was so much, so sadly I had to bite the bullet and manage to get off the road into a safe space where we called for recovery ... 167 miles done, 138 miles to go

So my car is currently sat in a mainstream garage just outside Munich, they tell me (via my 10 year son who speaks German and said they day) they are going to get a new fuel pump and replace it tomorrow, based on my diagnosis.

My question really is ... does this sound like a fuel pump issue or have I mis diagnosed ? From what I can see there aren't any aftermarket options available only a rebuild kit ?

Really sad to have got so close, but also glad to have found a safe place to get off the road, sat on the side of the autobahn would have been no fun !

Cheers

Nik

[my59]

Seems like fuel starvation- had this issue in my '59 a few years back- the car on a hill or over 45 mph would stutter.
Turned out that one of the internal pump springs had broken. Initially I could not find a rebuild kit, so I got new Brazilian pump and used the internal bits on my old pump.
The new pump however came with very thin metal discs to replace the thick hex shaped fiber ones that act as valves- and after the rebuild the pump was still not 100% until I took out the thin discs and re-installed the thick ones.
The broken spring also put a tiny hole in the pump membrane.
The rebuild was simple, only needing a home made tool to set the membrane preload- but the pump will work with out the preload set.

I'd Keep the old pump, rebuild it, re-install it and keep the new one as spares after you get home
_________________
my59: Well son, my grandfather died before I got to drive it, so does that answer your question?
our79: sunroof bus w/camper interior and 2.0 FI
Other:'12 Jetta, '77 Benz 300D, and a 74 MG Midget.

[NikC]

Thanks !

I'm just hoping the garage can find a replacement, I'm struggling to find one ! Only the rebuild kits ...

Actually not true, I could buy this one ...

http://www.aircooled-museum.com/achat-52-60-fuel-pump-21849.html

It's just a load of money !

[my59]

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111198551

is what you are looking for- you may not need an entire pump unless the joining screw threads are all buggered up
_________________
my59: Well son, my grandfather died before I got to drive it, so does that answer your question?
our79: sunroof bus w/camper interior and 2.0 FI
Other:'12 Jetta, '77 Benz 300D, and a 74 MG Midget.

[NikC]

Thanks !

I've ordered a refurb kit and also managed to find a couple of spare pumps so hopefully should have her back on the road tomorrow to finish of the journey

[gears]

Once in awhile, these symptoms are the result of a sticky inlet valve on the carburetor. This isn't always apparent, as visual inspection of the valve doesn't reveal much ..
_________________
aka Pablo, Geary
9.36 @ 146 in '86 Hot & Sticky
'90 Syncro Westy SVX
'87 Syncro GL 2.5
https://guardtransaxle.com

[NikC]

[60ragtop]

Make sure the push rod isn't getting hung in on the FP stand when it gets warmed up.
Check for debris in the main line. On one of my bugs, I had a piece of straw floating around in there blocking the flow periodically. Also check the petcock flow to make sure it is not blocked in any way. had that happen to. The pleasures of driving old bugs
_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

[Kjell Roar]

I had some of the same issues when the rubber inside the fuel tap swelled up, and clogged the fuel. Known problem back in the days.
_________________
I got a historic car, every scratch got a history...

My car, Aug. 4th, 1955 / an early 56: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=610438

[NikC]

[my59]

[gears]

In the '70s, we got a bunch of carb rebuild kits in which ALL the brand new inlet valves would stick. We had to reuse the old ones ..
_________________
aka Pablo, Geary
9.36 @ 146 in '86 Hot & Sticky
'90 Syncro Westy SVX
'87 Syncro GL 2.5
https://guardtransaxle.com

[NikC]

So the garage in Munich called this morning to tell me (via my 10 year old son who I had to get out of bed to take the call!) that it was "all fixed...." I wasn't convinced, but jumped in the hire car and headed over there.

Got there and the manager and everyone else there proceeded to tell me it was now fixed and then gave me the bits that that had replace, there's defo a broken one there as you can see !

Anyways, they've replace those parts and i've driven her home no issues at all.

Big thanks to everyone who replied with suggestions and info, really appreciate it !!

Nik

(here she is btw)