On 10/31/2013 1:17 PM, Scott Daniel wrote:
> It's not neccessary to remove the screw from the fuel pressure testing
> port to bleed the fuel lines.
> It's a contiuously circulating fuel system .
> Just cycle the key several times to pre-run the fuel pump and fill the
> lines with gas.
>
> a glogged return line would make things weird ..though I have never
> actually seen that on a vanagon.
>
> Fuel pressure regulator comes to mind.
> - which  is what determines the fuel pressure of course..
> as long as the tank, pump, and lines are doing what they're supposed
> to do.
>
>
>
>
> On 10/31/2013 7:22 AM, Max Wellhouse wrote:
>> .1990 GL  2.1 with 260k + (120k on a boston bob overhaul)
>>
>>  I've been keeping a fuel pressure gauge signal going to my VDO oil
>> pressure gauge(toggle switch to change sources) and for several years it
>> read right between 29-36psi  just like it should.  Then about a year ago
>> it dropped down to fluctuating to a reading like 17-20 psi.  The engine
>> still started and ran okay, but within the last couple of weeks, i've
>> run the gas tank past empty on two different occasions and had to
>> reprime the fuel lines and bleed the air out of the lines from the test
>> port screw.  That seems to be the onlywlay to restart a totally dry fuel
>> system.  The second time it ran dry, repeated attempts to bleed the air
>> etc. have proven to be unsuccessful i ngetting it to start again
>>
>> I realize that running the fuel pump with ho fuel for lubrication is not
>> good for it, and my spare used pump when installed leaked fuel out of
>> the crimp at the top, so that wasn't an optio.  Before I spend mega buck
>> on a new pump, I;'d like the list's thoughtson where I go rfrom here.
>> Could the fuel pressure regulater be causing these issues of no pressure
>> at all?  Is there a chance there's still vapor lock" in the injection
>> lines downstream of the test port preventing fuel from getting to the
>> injectors.  The engine will cough when ether is briefly shot into the
>> air horn, so it's not an ignition or compression issue.  i have a known
>> good used regulator, but I'd like a bit of guidance before I do too may
>> spendy things to get it roling again....and yes, there 5 or 6 gallons in
>> the tank right now.
>>
>> TIA
>>
>>
>> DM&FS
>>
>
Thanks Scott.  In the past(and I have lots of experience at this)
bleeding the air out of the test port screw is the ONLY way my Vanagon
will restart if I drive it dry.  If I catch it RIGHT t the first
"hiccup", then I have a chance.

DM&FS