Bosch fuel pump in Redding, CA? (thanks SAH)

[chachi]

in yosemite now with a whiny fuel pump i'm pretty worried about. we'll be passing through redding and i see from a web search bus boys is there, but they want $100 more than the usual suspects ($140 more than amazon). can anybody refer me to a reasonable german parts supply in town?
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'74 transporter panel
'91 vanagon carat NAHT

[nemobuscaptain]

I cant help on the part but realize that most loud fuel lumps ARENT fuel pump problems. At the very least get a couple of fuel filters. Get under the bus, look for rust on thd tank, loose fittings, torn hoses, and be prepared to drop the tank.
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Ohio Valley Tribe, Full Moon Bus Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/294422277314227/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/FullMoonBusClub

RIP Bob Hoover https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=427791
Hoover Sermons: https://www.vwsage.com/images/vwsage/Bob%20Hoovers%20Sermons.pdf

[chachi]

noted. guess i should just say "good quality vanagon parts."
_________________
'74 transporter panel
'91 vanagon carat NAHT

[nemobuscaptain]

I'd stop by Bus Boys and see if they will price match. In a pinch you can use several fuel pumps from a FLAPS (Zone, NAPA etc)...like a Ford 150??? year, I dunno, it's in the archives. Bus Boys is probably the only hope you have of finding any gas tank parts. Back in the day though, Bus Boys and Bus Depot often had real German parts instead of the Mexican or Chinese faux Bosch or whatever brands. I don't know if that's still true. Not trying to make excuses.

Id start with trying to figure out what you need. Seeing if you have rust or dirt in your filter, pump and fuel, or some other problem like a vacuum issue.

When I was really struggling with a rusty tank, I could finish the trip by pulling the tank, dumping it out, and changing the filter. It would return in a few days but it would get me how.

There's really no way to know what you are dealing with until you check. Could be pump, could just be filter, anything. It's just living with an old bus. I think in the last week we've had people with vent problems, FI return problems, rust, dirt, and even a piece of tape in their tank. It's a system and there are no unimportant parts. It has to all work. No way for us to tell you over the 'net.
_________________
Ohio Valley Tribe, Full Moon Bus Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/294422277314227/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/FullMoonBusClub

RIP Bob Hoover https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=427791
Hoover Sermons: https://www.vwsage.com/images/vwsage/Bob%20Hoovers%20Sermons.pdf

[ScottShelley]

Burley is in Redding, I'll bet he could help you out.

[nemobuscaptain]

Youre also driving through Sacramento and Chico? Seems like there would have to be VW joints all along the way. Hopefully some locals will help.
_________________
Ohio Valley Tribe, Full Moon Bus Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/294422277314227/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/FullMoonBusClub

RIP Bob Hoover https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=427791
Hoover Sermons: https://www.vwsage.com/images/vwsage/Bob%20Hoovers%20Sermons.pdf

[RCB]

Not sure if Bus Boys is still in business. Colin over at Itinerant posted a few photos of an empty parking lot full of weeds, an indication of a closed business . Call em first B4 stopping by.

[tkic]

i should have one i pulled from a running van (for a diesel conversion) if you make it home and you don't want to spring for a new one. message me if you are interested.

[ThankYouJerry]

[Wildthings]

There is a Ford Ranger pump that will work. A search here on Samba should turn up the part number, if not you can go to a FLAPS and look through their picture book and find a Ford Ranger FI pump with all the correct hose and wire connections. There were probably 6+/- pumps used on the Ranger over the years, most could be made to work but one is pretty much an exact replacement, they are less than $100 IIRC.

[chachi]

big thanks everybody. we are actually staying the HELL off the 5 so we are a little flexible about destinations, our plan is just to pass through redding on our way west and not hit anything big. in tahoe right now and the van is running ok. its increasingly difficult to start when cold but once it gets going it'll run all day. we took it over some greuling passes on the way here and it did ok (except for having to downshift to FIRST on some stretches) so i think it's not the pump. i don't really want to tear it down mid-trip if i don't have to so i'm just gonna go with it and take my chances but its good to have options in my back pocket. and wildthings, thanks for that info. much more likely to find a ranger pump in a tahoe flaps.
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'74 transporter panel
'91 vanagon carat NAHT

[a1fa]

Swing by NAPA and pick up a few cheap filters:

NAPA Fuel Filter 3032

Granted, they are rated for 20 microns.
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Learn to ride. Ride to learn.

[chachi]

[nemobuscaptain]

So what was wrong, bra? "It was getting harder to start when cold" doesnt sound like fuel pump filter or gas tank.
_________________
Ohio Valley Tribe, Full Moon Bus Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/294422277314227/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/FullMoonBusClub

RIP Bob Hoover https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=427791
Hoover Sermons: https://www.vwsage.com/images/vwsage/Bob%20Hoovers%20Sermons.pdf

[chachi]

i'm pretty sure it was the fuel pump. but what jeremiah will tell you is that the tube from the main tank to the outlet is unscopable and uncleanable. whatever mystery situation clogs that tube, SAH does not know how to fix it or is even able to tell if it is the problem. now you guys are gonna tell me "no no you just have to do this to tell if that tube is clogged..." and shatter my hero worship but we replaced both the pump and the tank (and the year old filter, WTH) to be sure. my wife wants this thing RELIABLE so, even though it was not cheap we did em both to not have to worry about this anymore when SAH isn't around the corner.
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'74 transporter panel
'91 vanagon carat NAHT

[greebly]

Stephan has a well deserved excellent reputation.

[nemobuscaptain]