

| Subject: | Re: fuel pump |
| From: | Doktor Tim |
| Date: | Mon, 7 Jul 2003 08:09:47 -0700 |
At 06:35 AM 07/07/2003, you wrote: >yeah the DUB is still giving me hassle.....i wanted to know what symptoms >the car would experience if the fuel pump was giong bad..... There are two symptoms that prove weakness of the pump. Verify that the filter is not restricted and the feed hose from the tank will flow. Now, is the fuel pump noisy??? Anything other that a smooth hum barely noticeable is an indication of wear. The only symptom that will prove a "bad", ie, out of spec pump, is to measure the pressure and volume per Bentley. Though the spec is about 28psi. I have seen many that run perfectly at 26psi. Symptoms generally don't develop to about 25psi or so. At 23 it won't idle. In other words, if the pump is holding 25psi it may seem to run fine, but is out of spec and should be replaced, but it is not the cause in toto of your current complaint and may only be contributing. By the way, nothing will kill a pump faster than a filter restriction ever increasing and wearing it out, unless it be poor amp delivery by the electrical path. The relay overheats as well when the pump starts demanding more amps. You want to replace those filter before they develop any noticeable restriction. >also how would >i know if it needed a new ECU relay???? and where is it? The Vanagon relays will be in the horizontal large black box left rear just above the coil or in the same box vertically mounted left front fire wall. Pop open the top. Bentley gives the test procedures. You can pop the case off the relays and inspect the boards and solder connections with a 10X hand glass and excellent light. If you see rosin, it has weeped out of the solder and is proof of overheating due to resistance, perhaps even at a poor ground connection. If you have any type of electrical issue, first you must verify that the battery case and terminals are CLEAN and tight and as well the main + and ground cables are the same. Then load test the battery and verify rebound volts if it doesn't get back to 12.5 in a coupla minutes, it might be contributory to your symptoms. Otherwise, to insure you don't throw ANY time/money at assumptions, verify all maintenance is up to date and base tuning is spec, including compression balance, fuel pressure and volume, timing, idle and mixture. Over 90% of the time that resolves all issues if you fix all the weakness found. Spend your money then your time with the Bentley first to insure the least wasted time/money to charge against your miles.
Have something to add on this topic today? Revive this thread in the forum »