Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2003 08:09:47 -0700
Reply-To: Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
Subject: Re: fuel pump
In-Reply-To: <vanagon%2003070709390536@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
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.
| 
