The VDO pressure gauge definitely needs to be grounded. The usual ground
is by being screwed into the engine case. The Fuel pressure regulators
either work or they don't. The usual failure is a ruptured diaphragm
causing the fuel to flow directly into the intake manifold through the
vacuum line. They fail without warning. Some very early, some at 500k.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Max Wellhouse
Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 2004 6:25 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: FP Regulator Life Expectancy?

With the Vanagon hitting the big 200k, I was wondering what the life
expectancy of the 2.1's fuel pressure regulator is.  I'm sure this is
the
original one and since the rebuilt pump was installed last May, the
symptoms probably aren't in that area.
Now that I have a gauge on the fuel line, when I hit the ignition key,
it
jumps immediately to the high 30's, but during a drive of any length, at
idle, the pressure is down in the low 20's and often oscillates between
low
20's and high 30's despite no change in vacuum.  Anyone wanna take a
stab
at this?  Wiring on this is pretty solid, but does the sending unit need
to
be grounded to give accurate readings?  I'm tied into the T towards the
rear of the motor, but currently don't have the VDO sending unit bolted
solidly to the block. Since the rubber fuel line hoses would seem to
insulate the T from any ground, could this be the issue?

Thanks for the advice.

Max