Fuel pumps: gimme your opinions/experience

[Mckinleyvillian]

chinesium fuel pump that PO put in the van is cooked.

I've scoured threads and ended up ordering a $49 Hayg-Walbro after seeing a few solid posters recommend them as a less expensive option.

It will be here Friday but in the meantime, I'm going to pick up a couple more less expensive options, or maybe a more expensive option.

I'm hearing mixed reviews on the newer Bosch and I can't find them anywhere for under a hundo, so I'm torn. There's a fellow locally who has an old Bosch that he says works well for $50. I've heard tales of the original Bosch pumps going for 200k+ miles, so this might be an option as well. A new Pierburg is not in the cards at this time.

What's the skinny on fuel pumps in August 2022? I appreciate your expeirience and opinions
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so many roads i know
all i want is one to take me home

85 Vanagon GL 1.9 stick

[xflyer]

If you state the model year of your van that would help.
Assuming yours is a Vanagon with EFI I would only use the Bosch pump.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=976818&cc=1286546&pt=6256&jsn=403

I recently installed one of these on my 84 Vanagon. Works fine with no excess noise. Replaced the OE pump, over 300K miles and 37 yrs.
A parts supplier I have bought from has this motto in their catalog:
"Buy the Best and Cry Once."
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1989 Campmobile, 1984 7 passenger beater Vanagon
Both with cool A/C

[Ahwahnee]

[TomInAlaska]

[Mckinleyvillian]

[Mckinleyvillian]

[xflyer]

OEM Bosch EFI pumps last almost forever unless they get junk in them or are run dry.
As I wrote, the OE pump in my 84 was replaced about 2 months ago. It still works, but there was a hiccup and stall on a low fuel tank. Did not want to take a chance of failure.
A friend's Mustang pump failed at 8 yrs and 110K miles. And was a PITA to replace. Needed to remove the fuel tank. Unfortunately that is very common on many vehicles. Jettas, Golfs, from mid 80s had in tank pump. Actually 2 pumps. The front engine VWs have access to the in tank pump under the back seat or in the trunk.
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1989 Campmobile, 1984 7 passenger beater Vanagon
Both with cool A/C

[Van den Broke]

I've got the cheap Chinese (well it was at least $49) in my van and it's been running fine for a few years.
So I bought another that lives in the van just in case.

I also have an old Bosch one that appeared to work well, but when actually installed and run was found to leak at the crimp. Probably the O-ring seal dried out and shrank. So keep that in mind if you keep a "good used" pump in the van.

And if you do have a good used one, I'd run some ATF through it for storage to hopefully keep the insides from rusting and corroding, and any seals and O-rings from drying out and shrinking.

I do this with old mechanical fuel pumps for my old cars.

I think the biggest killer of fuel pumps is old rancid gas. Not six month old gas, but really old stuff that smells rank and turns dark or reddish. Lots of vehicles have sat for a few years before us enthusiasts buy them.

[r39o]

Way back when I used to keep the FAQ, I worried about such things.

There are a few threads that would help.

Here is one:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=363698

Use the FAQ, Luke

BTW: My fuel pump in my 1990 has well over 200K on it. Do not make me worry about it, please.

Further the old pumps can be brought back to life frequently with diesel fuel. Find that thread!
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"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!

1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....

Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently)

[skemems]

[space]

85 mustang pump works perfect
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82 westy
w:
2.5 JDM Subie
Rear discs

[Van den Broke]

Make sure that the pump is for the fuel injected Mustang, some came with a Holley 4V (last year for a carb) and use a low pressure mechanical pump.

Later '80s Mustangs used an "in the tank" pump, not suitable for inline use.

[Mckinleyvillian]

[RBEmerson]

Now after the fact, but FWIW...

Last fall the existing fuel pump (whatever came with our '90 Westy) started singing like a soprano on steroids. Chris was getting anxious about the sound, and I wasn't thrilled by it, either.

NAPA had the Bosch version in stock, I paid an arm and a leg for it, but having a spare on hand was enough to drop anxiety levels (yea!). I swapped out the old pump in Welcome, NV (v. cool RV park off I-80 - Welcome Station RV Park, the owner supplied a better wrench for the terminals' nuts, and useful advice).

Less than 10K later, it works, but sings slightly.
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Lord, give me coffee to change the things I can change, and wine to accept the things I can't change.

[damagd]

Just wondering what the consensus is on these $20 fuel pumps that are scattered all over ebay? Was not planning on using it as a main, but throwing it in as a spare. Of course, if I have to use it as a spare, it might just end up staying there.....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/232458583277?fits=Year%3A...R97ho-etYg


https://www.ebay.com/itm/354318840941?fits=Year%3A...R97ho-etYg

[RBEmerson]

My inclination is to say "ya pays yer money, ya takes yer chances". I suppose that were I on the side of the road with a dead pump, and with a $20 special tucked in the spares box, it'd look mighty good.

OTOH, all the way to getting a "real" pump, I might be saying "so far, so good".

All of that said, $200 + for a Bosch pump is kinda painful. The replacement pump "sang", too. Bought in Twin Falls, ID, a year and a half later it was replaced at no cost (for the pump) under warranty. The $200+ bet I'd be covered if the pump went sour paid off.

The Ambler, PA NAPA got points for "it's under warranty - we can replace that" from the start. NAPA, I regret to say, lost points for charging me shipping for the replacement pump. Grrr...
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Lord, give me coffee to change the things I can change, and wine to accept the things I can't change.

[Crankey]

I bought my truck at about 78k mileage and I still have that fuel pump which I believe is the original Bosch, it is Bosch for sure and I've never replaced it. I'm at about 130-140k mileage now. It's been fine with the wbx, the ez30 and now the ej2.5. I have an aeromotive regulator since the ez engine swap.

[Mckinleyvillian]

[djkeev]

I purchased a brand new "Last of the quality GERMAN made Bosch pumps!" Several years back for my 86 from BusDepot.

I put it in, tossed the old pump and headed West.

I made it from NE New Jersey to Mountain Home Idaho, spent the night in a hotel.
The next morning....... nothing..... NADA ..... dead.

Called a friend in Boise who picked up a Bosch fuel pump at a local flaps nd she brought it to us.

Bolted it in and off we went.

The new pump was a Bosch made in Yugoslavia unit.

It is still running today many years later.

BusDepot warrantied the pump and ever since I carry a known good spare fuel pump. (BusDepots replacement in this unit)

My 90 has a Bosch pump, I forget where it was manufactured.... I purchased it from FCP ...... it keeps running.
I ran ATF through the old one and packaged it up, this is my spare fuel pump should the need ever arise (and I'm 99 & 99/100ths % sure it won't).
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[Rusty84camper]

I'm running one of the cheap amazon units, it's new but sounds like hell. It gets louder after it runs for 30 minutes or so, going to swap it out with something else to see if it quiets down.