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Sun Nov 16, 2008 8:47 am

Subject says it all. Where might I find it?

I have a replacement, just need to know where to start...

Sun Nov 16, 2008 8:52 am

Look on the frame under the sliding door.

Fri Nov 21, 2008 7:41 pm

Found the square filter. No problem there.

But is there a second round one? About the size of a large can of soda too?

That's what I got from the parts department at the VW dealership where I work, based on the VIN.

Any thoughts? Wisdom? Bueller? Bueller?

Fri Nov 21, 2008 7:46 pm

85 vans dont have the round filters. we just have the little square filters before the pump. you can install the round one after the pump so you have a pre pump filter and a post pump filter, but i just use the little square one before the filter. thats wierd that you got a round one from the vin off your van. hope that helps.
Doug

Fri Nov 21, 2008 7:46 pm

On my 85, all I had was the cube, before the fuel pump. I kept the cube, and added the big can shaped one after the pump.

Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:36 am

I added the cube filter before the pump to my 87. "Belt and suspenders" filtration.

I've had no issues with cavitation or fuel pump noise.

Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:31 am

I ditched the cube and added the round canister after the pump on my 83 1/2. Got rid of the pump noise and having to change the filter every two to five thousand miles. The screen inside the tank should be sufficient to protect the pump, but I would like to find and install a larger pre-pump filter canister with a cleanable screen just to be sure.

Mon May 03, 2010 6:45 am

freshintulsa wrote: 85 vans dont have the round filters. we just have the little square filters before the pump. you can install the round one after the pump so you have a pre pump filter and a post pump filter, but i just use the little square one before the filter. thats wierd that you got a round one from the vin off your van. hope that helps.
Doug

when you say "before" the pump is it on the engine side or the front seat side when you standing at the slidiing door? i have a square filter after the pump on the engine side if you are looking at the sliding door. i have a humming sound coming from the pump and i want to change the filter. maybe mine is the wrong location ?
i wonder ? thanks

Mon May 03, 2010 6:47 am

riceye wrote: I added the cube filter before the pump to my 87. "Belt and suspenders" filtration.

I've had no issues with cavitation or fuel pump noise.

is that square filter located on the engine side or the front seat side if you are standing infront of the sliding door.

Mon May 03, 2010 9:18 am

hi all,

on the same topic, I have seen people put a filter in front of the pump, mostly a square one (as illustrated)

a question... why a square one instead a round canister type, same as the one after the pump?

Mon May 03, 2010 10:36 am

0to60in6min wrote: hi all,

on the same topic, I have seen people put a filter in front of the pump, mostly a square one (as illustrated)

a question... why a square one instead a round canister type, same as the one after the pump?

I was thinking the same thing. I have an 85 Westy and mine has the square one in front of the filter. I have some pump humming noise so i think i am going to try that set-up as shown in that picture above.

Mon May 03, 2010 10:45 am

As I understand it the square filter has larger holes in its filter matrix, it filters the larger particles that could damage the fuel pump, then the metal canister filters the smaller particles that could damage the fuel injection components.

Mon May 03, 2010 10:48 am

foodeater wrote: As I understand it the square filter has larger holes in its filter matrix, it filters the larger particles that could damage the fuel pump, then the metal canister filters the smaller particles that could damage the fuel injection components.

do you think if i use both filters as shown above, the whinning noise in the fuel pump should go away ? it seams to work for that other post.

Mon May 03, 2010 11:04 am

PAdom wrote: foodeater wrote: As I understand it the square filter has larger holes in its filter matrix, it filters the larger particles that could damage the fuel pump, then the metal canister filters the smaller particles that could damage the fuel injection components.

do you think if i use both filters as shown above, the whinning noise in the fuel pump should go away ? it seams to work for that other post.

Nope. It didn't on my '84 (Tiico conversion). A new pump didnt help either, nor did new filters. Removing or replacing the cube filter may help, as it may let fuel flow faster to the pump from the tank. You may have a partial blocking of the tank outlet so a new tank may help, but others have reported that it made the noise worse.

Read up on the "Cavitation" posts to find out what causes the noise.

I've chosen to simply ignore the noise. In my case its not very loud, its been that way for years now and I cant hear it once moving.

Mon May 03, 2010 11:08 am

I used Presslab's resistor idea discussed here:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=318566

And now the buzz is gone (or barely audible, anyway.)

Mon May 03, 2010 2:32 pm

The pump was designed to have a 12mm? diameter inlet hose and VW decided to use a 7mm inlet hose. Worked okay on a Bay Window van with the high fuel tank, but didn't work so well on the Vanagon with its low slung tank. VW after several years into the Vanagon production eliminated the white square prefilter because it caused so much grief plus went to a larger inlet hose. You don't hear people with later Vanagons having anywhere near as many fuel pump problems as people with earlier Vanagons. Getting rid of the little white prefilter helps and if you have to pull the tank for some reason, finding all the parts and pieces to full update to the later tank and filler will finish the job for you.

Sat Aug 04, 2012 5:02 pm

Is there any reason I can't use the big filter as a pre-filter before the pump?

The square filter I currently have does catch stuff and I don't like the idea of my new pump running without a filter. I can't use the square filter because of the 12mm outlet.

Sat Aug 04, 2012 9:44 pm

MayorMcCheese wrote: Is there any reason I can't use the big filter as a pre-filter before the pump?

The square filter I currently have does catch stuff and I don't like the idea of my new pump running without a filter. I can't use the square filter because of the 12mm outlet.

I am assuming you bought a none stock pump? Not sure how much suction you would have using the canister filter before the pump. Likely okay, but maybe not. Hopefully someone who has tried it will respond.

Sun Sep 02, 2012 9:03 pm

I just ordered the fuel filter upgrade kit for my 84 Westy. It is supposed to get rid of the little square pre-filter and be placed after the pump on its way to the engine. Well I had my mechanic replace all of the fuel lines and coolant hoses and just assumed have him put the new filter in as well. He put the filter in but accidentally put it in front of the fuel pump. Now the van is not running well and especially at idle and when first accelerating, the thing feels like its going too stall every time I release the clutch. I am going to reverse it like its supposed to be and see if it helps. I will post my results. Hope that helps. I your worried about not having a pre-filter the tank has a screen that should remove the larger particles that could ruin the pump.

Wed Nov 28, 2012 9:29 pm

I found this thread while doing a search for a fuel filter for our '85. It has the small square pre and large round post filters. FP is noisy.

I also found this link to GW that gives an explanation.

http://www.gowesty.com/library_article.php?id=1230

I was reading in the bentley and got a bit more info.

Since I'm getting ready to replace the fuel lines all info is worthy.

I can see me using the post pump large round filter only and all should be well.

VC has a nice write up also.