Date:         Fri, 7 Jul 2006 14:33:43 -0700
Reply-To:     Aaron <lists@MYCOMMUNITYNET.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Aaron <lists@MYCOMMUNITYNET.NET>
Subject:      Re: fuel pump noise
In-Reply-To:  <44AEABA9.6090307@verizon.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

One way to test to see what the problem is is to use a small gas can
and get a couple of feet of fuel hose. You need stick both the return
(driver's side) and the inlet for the fuel pump in as it will suck
the tank dry quickly since it will return all excess fuel to the tank
if you don't re-route the return.

I used this to determine that the fuel pump issue was my tank and not
my pump (as I thought it was). Unfortunately I didn't figure it out
until after I had purchased a new pump. Oh well. Now I have a good 21
year-old spare.

Aaron

On Jul 7, 2006, at 11:44 AM, Mike Collum wrote:

> I have an '84 and an '85 and I really have to listen carefully to hear
> the fuel pump when i first turn on the key with either of them.  I've
> never heard their fuel pumps with the engines running.  I've never
> replaced the fuel pumps and I've had the '84 since '91 and the '85
> since
> '02.
>
> In that you've replaced the fuel filter, the tank itself could have
> some
> restriction.
>
> Mike
>
>
> Curt Newsome wrote:
>> The fuel pump seemed kind of noisy when I bought my
>> '85 westfalia.  I had the filters replaced first, but
>> the noise (kind of a loud buzzing from the pump
>> vicinity) persisted.  As the pump looked like it could
>> be 21 years old I ordered a new Bosch from Bus Depot
>> and had it installed.  The noise has remained exactly
>> the same, as near as I can tell.  It will sometimes
>> subside at idle and is least likely to happen right
>> upon startup, but is otherwise pretty constant.
>>
>> I don't really mind apparently having replaced the
>> pump prematurely as it was old, but what else should I
>> be looking for?  The mechanic who did the work seemed
>> pretty unconcerned about it and said "lots of vanagons
>> sound like that".  Do they? Do I need to worry about
>> gunk in the line making the pump work harder, or is
>> there something else that could be making the noise?
>> I've never actaully heard one go bad (and don't have
>> much experience with other vanagons) so I don't really
>> know what's "normal".
>>
>> The van runs great and gets reasonable mpg for an AT.
>> The new pump's been in for about 300 miles or so.
>>
>> Thanks in advance for ay info!
>> Curt
>>
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