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jkidd152 Samba Member
Joined: June 09, 2009 Posts: 408 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 6:51 am Post subject: bad (brand new) fuel pump? |
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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.
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.
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 |
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zippyslug31 Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2007 Posts: 799 Location: Central Oregon
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 6:54 am Post subject: |
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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! )
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. |
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jkidd152 Samba Member
Joined: June 09, 2009 Posts: 408 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 7:00 am Post subject: |
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I haven't tested it. I don't have a gauge. Do you? _________________ '85 Syncro Westy |
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zippyslug31 Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2007 Posts: 799 Location: Central Oregon
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 7:17 am Post subject: |
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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 )
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. |
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MarkWard Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005 Posts: 17007 Location: Retired South Florida
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 7:34 am Post subject: |
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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. _________________ ☮️ |
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plummerdesign Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2010 Posts: 539 Location: PNW
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 11:54 am Post subject: |
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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 |
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randywebb Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2005 Posts: 3815 Location: Greater Metropolitan Nimrod, Orygun
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 1:18 pm Post subject: |
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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. |
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Franklinstower Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2006 Posts: 1892 Location: PNW
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 2:04 pm Post subject: |
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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 |
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SyncroJack Samba Member
Joined: August 23, 2010 Posts: 94 Location: Vancouver, WA
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insyncro Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 15086 Location: New York
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 2:16 pm Post subject: |
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I have one of the $35 eBay fuel pumps still going strong with well over 50k miles on it. |
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morymob Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2007 Posts: 4683 Location: east-tn
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2012 4:30 am Post subject: |
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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. |
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jkidd152 Samba Member
Joined: June 09, 2009 Posts: 408 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2012 6:35 am Post subject: |
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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.
Thanks again,
John _________________ '85 Syncro Westy |
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Jeff's Old Volks Home Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2011 Posts: 819 Location: Chester Basin, Nova Scotia
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2012 7:05 am Post subject: |
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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 |
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