Date: Tue, 11 Jul 2006 08:02:11 EDT
Reply-To: RAlanen@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: fuel pump noise
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
In a message dated 07/07/2006 9:07:04 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
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.
Curt, noisy fuel pumps are an indication of fuel starvation of the pump
especially if the pump is mounted as it should be on the two rubber mounts.
Either your filter between the tank and pump, if you have this filter, is blocked
or the tank itself has a restricted flow. The tanks do have a known problem
that is quite prevalent these days as the vans get older. There is a filter
screen in the bottom of the tank leading to a rubber hose that leads to the
tanks exit port. The screens get blocked with rust and other debris and the
hoses disintegrate. Only fix is to install a new tank without the filter
screen and hose.
Cheers,
Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy, '90 Carat, '87 Wolfsburg (Forsale) & Lionel Trains
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Frank Condelli & Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm) a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 07 ~ 10, 2007
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