At least your hands are still attached! Keeping the pump filled with a fluid
was actually a very good thing  to do. The fluid actually flows over the
motor armature brushes and all. Let some air in there with fuel and the
sparking at the commutator can make for some real fun. There is a reason
many cars now have the pump inside the tank. Containment!

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Jeff Lincoln
Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2012 7:36 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: 1985 1.9 Hesitation at higher RPM **SOLVED**

Neil,

No I did not wire a switch. I'm sure I'll get scolded but this is what I did
and it worked.

 I ran two long leads direct from the battery posts. Crimped a spade
connector on the positive wire and connected it to the negative connection
on the pump - and I left the end of the wire connected to the negative of
the battery free- I had the pump set up with two lengths or hose one in a
large container of rubbing alcohol (I suppose gas would have worked fine I
just didn't have any except what was in my tank) and the other into a large
glass jug. When I was ready to go I would just carefully touch the negative
wire to the positive on the pump and away she went - but I never left it on
there for more than a few seconds at a time.

I know the pumps will run backwards because of a mistake I made years ago
crossing the connection wires. However, I'd be willing to bet it's not good
for it - that's why I was real careful.
I did this just as good measure - I wasn't sure how well it would work. To
be honest I got most of the junk out before by hitting the inlet opening of
the pump against the palm of my hand over and over (think about how one
would do to pack a pack of cigarettes) - when the largest nasty clump came
out a bunch of gas pured out (instead of trickling out). I could visibly see
the junk on the screen so I knew it was gunked up - when I was done with
everything there was a MAJOR noticable difference looking in there. I
suppose pipe cleaners would have helped too but I didn't have any.

Too bad about that other pump - it was nice to know I had a spare. Drag.

Again I'm sure 15 people are dying to tell me why this shouldn't be done
this way - and I appreciate that - I'm not saying it was right but it worked
out for me.

--
Thanks,

Jeff
'85 GL (Gertie)
'78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus