Date:         Tue, 11 Jul 2006 09:28:50 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: fuel pump noise
Comments: To: RAlanen@AOL.COM
In-Reply-To:  <438.4c570b7.31e4ed43@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Frank,

This  decaying internal fuel hose and clogged internal screen is
something I didn't want to know about --- but there it is!! Are the
later models prone to this problem? I have an 88 GL  - two in fact. Am I
looking at inevitably having to replace my fuel tanks?? Is it just a
matter of time? I hope not, but it sure sounds that  way.

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

Frank Condelli wrote:
> 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
>
>
>