Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
bad (brand new) fuel pump?
Forum Index -> Vanagon Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
jkidd152
Samba Member


Joined: June 09, 2009
Posts: 408
Location: Portland, OR
jkidd152 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 6:51 am    Post subject: bad (brand new) fuel pump? Reply with quote

Samba people,
Anybody ever get a bad fuel pump out of the box? I think I did.

I installed one last Saturday. Ran great until Tuesday, it developed a loud hum. Then Wednesday afternoon, it started failing. What is the word? Cavitating? I could go no faster than 10-15 mph. Evil or Very Mad

The back story is that I replaced a working pump (and filter) because I am about to embark on a big road trip. The old pump had a noticible hum to it as well.

I put the old pump back on and the van runs good again. Question

Both pumps are Bosch. The old one is the style with the spade connectors. The new one has the eyelets. The new one came from one of our big name vendors.

And the fuel tank is original as far as I know. I haven't bench tested the new pump yet but I was thinking that it works, just not well. Would a bench test prove anything?

Anyway, sorry if this is kind of a rant, but I am a little stressed about hitting the road tomorrow and dealing with this.

Thanks
John
_________________
'85 Syncro Westy Wink
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
zippyslug31
Samba Member


Joined: July 20, 2007
Posts: 799
Location: Central Oregon
zippyslug31 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 6:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Funny, I just did the same replacement. Thought it funny that they went from spade to eyelet (PITA crimping/soldering on those new connectors under the van! Mad )

How's your fuel pressure?
_________________
previous:
'80 westy
current:
'90 syncro westy 2.5L subi, triple knob, 16" wheels.
'84 sunroof van, 2.1L motor.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
jkidd152
Samba Member


Joined: June 09, 2009
Posts: 408
Location: Portland, OR
jkidd152 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 7:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I haven't tested it. I don't have a gauge. Do you? Laughing
_________________
'85 Syncro Westy Wink
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
zippyslug31
Samba Member


Joined: July 20, 2007
Posts: 799
Location: Central Oregon
zippyslug31 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 7:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yep, just picked one up at O'Reilly's for $50. This will be a part that will LIVE in my van for now on; best $50 ever spent (even though my van still runs like crap Laughing )

Seriously, you should invest in one since the vans are pretty susceptible to wonky fuel pressures and you need to know if yours is any good.
_________________
previous:
'80 westy
current:
'90 syncro westy 2.5L subi, triple knob, 16" wheels.
'84 sunroof van, 2.1L motor.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
MarkWard
Samba Member


Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 17007
Location: Retired South Florida
MarkWard is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 7:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Anything mass produced has a failure rate. Most warranties are to cover that. In other words, if it works for year, it will work for lifetime. I am sure the vendor will make good on it, but you need to be absolutely sure, there is no restriction in the supply side and that you got the wiring correct. It sucks when you are tring to get out of town when some preventative maintenance turns into a can of worms.
_________________
☮️
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
plummerdesign
Samba Member


Joined: September 04, 2010
Posts: 539
Location: PNW
plummerdesign is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 11:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry to read about the hassle John.
They are not cheap (kids don't get dinner tonight) and not something you want to have fail on a long drive. If you do not have the pressure tester it is just as easy to stop by a local shop such as Thiemann or Always Vdub to have checked. Wish I had one to loan you my good man.
.
Oh and have a great trip!
Cheers,
Jeffery


(Westfalia travel/camping videos at YouTube link below)
_________________
It is old and green and it makes me grin.
1984 Westfalia 1.9
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
randywebb
Samba Member


Joined: February 15, 2005
Posts: 3815
Location: Greater Metropolitan Nimrod, Orygun
randywebb is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 1:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

you can buy an adapter that is a spade terminal with a bent part that has an eyelet on it - you'd think a major Vanagon vendor would include these...


- where is the best place to tap into the fuel system to hook up a testing gauge? and do you need a special (metric) adapter or something?
_________________
1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Franklinstower
Samba Member


Joined: September 21, 2006
Posts: 1892
Location: PNW
Franklinstower is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 2:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

i'd be going with one of these pumps, purchased from NAPA or Schucks, so if it quit on the road I could exchange it easily.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=363698&highlight=fuel+pump

The stock pumps are just too expensive!
_________________
'89 Westy - EJ25/22 Frank 4.44 5mt
'75 Miami Blue Sunroof FI Standard Bug
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
SyncroJack
Samba Member


Joined: August 23, 2010
Posts: 94
Location: Vancouver, WA
SyncroJack is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 2:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have one of these guages to test pressures: http://www.harborfreight.com/fuel-injection-pump-tester-92699.html
I've used it to test oil press too.
_________________
86 Syncro 1.8T power!, 76 Westy
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
insyncro
Banned


Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 15086
Location: New York
insyncro is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 2:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have one of the $35 eBay fuel pumps still going strong with well over 50k miles on it.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
morymob
Samba Member


Joined: November 09, 2007
Posts: 4683
Location: east-tn
morymob is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Nov 03, 2012 4:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Can't see paying 50+ $ for fuel press guage, make you one /less than $5. Go to the flaps of choice, wally's cheapest, get the dial tire press guage with the removable cover/ part that presses to tire stem. U will have a short tube sticking out, clamp on a length of fuel hose and slip on another on for storage and u are ready to go, stores in tool box easily as it's small.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
jkidd152
Samba Member


Joined: June 09, 2009
Posts: 408
Location: Portland, OR
jkidd152 is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Nov 03, 2012 6:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks everyone for the good replies. I am running with the old fuel pump on, and it seems fine. I am headed to Disneyland and might make a side trip to return the new pump in person! Or I might just give it to one of the princesses. Very Happy
Thanks again,
John
_________________
'85 Syncro Westy Wink
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Jeff's Old Volks Home
Samba Member


Joined: December 19, 2011
Posts: 819
Location: Chester Basin, Nova Scotia
Jeff's Old Volks Home is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Nov 03, 2012 7:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The little screen in the tank is getting plugged. by flushing some fuel through it during the pump change you let a little more flow to the pump, relieving your symptoms.
Jeff
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Vanagon All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.