I'm thinking my fuel pump went out

[Jimbug57]

My Super Beetle died while driving yesterday. I was able to coast into a gas station. I got out and inspected, lifted the cap on the distributor. Nothing seemed out of place. I checked for spark and got it. Lifted the air cleaner to look and see if my accelerator pump was squirting. No squirt - dry as a bone. Checked my fuel filter and it was very dirty but had fuel. Smacked the filter a few times and got it to start.

I figured I better drive around the block and it died again by the time I got back to the gas station. So I changed the fuel filter. Wouldn't start. Got out and filled the float chamber with carb cleaner. Started right up. I let it run till it was warmed up and drove 3 miles home. Figured it was fixed.

This morning I had a doctor appointment. Before starting I inspected the fuel filter. It was full and no leaks. Car normally fires up instantly but struggled to start. I let it warm up, and it died while backing out of my spot. Fuel filter is dry as a bone. I pushed it back in my spot and cancelled appointment.

I'm headed back outside to disconnect the fuel line after the filter and see if it fills up. It probably will - I don't think there's any blockage. Then I'll have to get out my vacuum/fuel pressure gauge I guess. So I'm suspecting the fuel pump.

If the needle/seat was stuck I think my fuel filter would still have fuel. If there was blockage in the carb it wouldn't run fine when I fill the float bowl. Not sure if I'm missing something here.

The only fuel pump I have came from Rock Auto. I bought it just to have a backup, ummm, not really use. Current fuel pump is rebuildable. I hope to heck I don't have to lift the alternator to get it off.

Sorry for the long rant. My car is a valued member of the family. I'm like, upset. So here I go - Jim
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Repeat after me "I am smarter than metal!"

[Cusser]

1. Take off the fuel line at the carb. Carefully have helper crank the engine as you direct the fuel hose into a jar. If the jar fills up with gas, then the fuel pump is OK. Be careful of gasoline flammability and explosiveness !

2. If Test 1 checks out OK, re-connect and try to start. If it doesn't, spray some aerosol starting fluid into the carb throat and try to start.
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[Igpoe]

Don't forget there's a filter in the gas tank! I'd replace all the filters
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'73 super.

[Marinablau703]

Similar thing happened to me on the interstate a few weeks ago. Dry filter... got it started, and by the time I got home, the pump couldn’t keep the filter full at idle, so it was running a tad lean. Pulled the dipstick (which also indicated running a little hot) and found fuel in the oil. Running a little hot, needs fuel pump, yadda yadda yadda, the engine is out, heads off, new P&Cs and heads on order. 😁

Check your oil for fuel.