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Date:         Sat, 21 Jul 2007 12:26:15 -0700
Reply-To:     Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject:      Re: 87 still not starting, need fuel pump advice
Comments: To: Anthony Kimmons <akimmons@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <7a0d6a660707210946h278f853dn2a330ed25bbdd389@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Hi. Does the fuel pump humm ? It will definitely make a nice humming sound if it's running. If it is, and you still don't think fuel is reaching the engine..... Undo a fuel line somewhere...or remove the output hose from the f. pump and put another hose on there going to a bucket or something, power up the fuel pump ( there are ways to get it to run besides having the engine running - you can do a little jump at the fuel pump relay, or even just grab 12 volts somewhere and hot wire your pump temporarily ) ... And see if it pumps fuel. You could have a restriction in your fuel tank, clogged fuel filter ( assume you've check for that already ) ...etc.

I use 'substitute and bypass' as a diagnostic strategy a lot. Like hot wiring the fuel pump to get it running 'for sure' ...that's a 'bypass' tactic. Connecting your fuel pump inlet to a can of gas sitting on the ground.....( to see if that makes it pump fuel and run ) ....that's a 'bypass' tactic....and so forth.

The idea being ......when you 'go around' the block, whatever it is, you confirm the engine can now run, and you know right where to go looking for the 'block' , if that's what is happening in this case.

"it's just blockage or leakage of fluids or electrons." ( 'fluids' include gases also - exhaust , vacuum, air, etc. ) and ...it can be more than one, blockage or leakage.

Hope you get it soon ! Scott www.turbovans.com

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Anthony Kimmons Sent: Saturday, July 21, 2007 9:47 AM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: 87 still not starting, need fuel pump advice

Still having starting issues with me 87 GL.

I was not getting power to my fuel pump and have replaced the relays, ignition switch, and alternator because I noticed the regulator was bad due to the old alternator wobbling. Just finished a job replacing fuel tank seals and new fuel filter.

Now I'm getting power to the fuel pump at least. Connected a test light and it goes on when I turn the key, stays on briefly (a couple of seconds) and then turns off. I understand this is normal. But, there is no fuel getting to engine. Engine cranks fine, but does not turn over.

I bought the fuel pump new a few years back, but my van has been sitting for quite awhile. Wondering now if the pump has "frozen" up from crap or water that may have been in my tank. Is it possible to test for this? Is there anyway to clean out the fuel pump or make sure it turns properly?

Man! I was really hoping that it would start right up today! Any other suggestions? THANKS!


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