At 01:24 PM 4/8/98 EDT, Larry in Lincoln wrote:
>>Finally pulled the fuel
>>pump----direct wired it to a 12 volt and tried to pump some gas through
>>it.  It would vibrate but did not pump gas.  By the time I got back to
>>Lincoln the import parts house was closed.  I called Parts America
>>(Western Auto) and a number of other parts stores.  The cheapest fuel
>>pump that could be ordered was from Parts America and it was $175.00 !!
>>MY QUESTIONS:  Am I missing anything?  Why so expensive for the fuel
>>pump---------and--------are there any universals that would work?  One
>of
>>the sales reps said that the VW pump produced between 100-130 psi of
>>pressure.  Thats seems like a lot!  And a lot more than universals
>>produce.  Any advice to a new one on the listserve?
>
>Larry in Lincoln
>86 Vanagon
***************************************

Most FI pumps put out between 28 to 45psi depending on the vehicle.
Universal pumps are usually 2 to 5psi and made for carburetion, rather than
FI.  About 12 years ago, there was a US maker called Walbro (I believe)
that manufactured a "Universal" Replacement pump at considerable savings
for the Vanagon application, but none of the suppliers I go with carry it
anymore, saying Walbro had been bought out by some big outfit - I'm not
even sure it's available anymore to be honest, except maybe thru Beck
Arnley (which may have been the outfit that bought out Walbro) - the reason
for saying this is that the biggest Redding FLAPS carries Beck Arnley and
their catalog shows an "OE" Pump as well as the "Economy" Pump.  What a
joke - the "OE" pump goes for about $289 and the "Economy" pump is $229.
Grand and Kragen around here go for about the same, only pennies
difference.  None of them offer a rebuilt either.

My prices:

OE Bosch:  $189.00 (Discounted from Regular $235.47)
OE Pierburg Germany:  $182.58 (Discounted from Regular $205.00)

Volkswagen currently gets $244.10

Rebuilt Pumps are available too - $127.95 Exchange PLUS $45 Core Charge

This pump fits Beetle/Super Beetle/Convertible 75-79 EFI, Bus 75-79 EFI and
All Vanagons w/EFI so the application and year spread is pretty good.

Jim Thompson
84 Westy 2.1 * 62 Beetle * 90 Fox Wagon
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