Date:         Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:29:45 -0400
Reply-To:     TJ Hemrick <x53gunner@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         TJ Hemrick <x53gunner@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Fuel issues/troubleshooting/stupidity (a little long but pretty
              good)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

All,
 For those of you whose memory is sharp as a tack, I've been fighting
running and starting issues for a while now.  Unbelievably, I let a simple
fuel pump test slip by me as I replaced the "suspect" one with a "known"
good one.  Well, that was a while ago and taking some advice from the list,
I popped for a new fuel pump and BAM, runs like Ferdinand himself put 104
octane in the tank.  OK, so four months later (this past weekend), I'm
driving home from a good night with the family and the van's speed is
CONSTANTLY dropping as I drive down the highway to the point where I have to
get off the road and drive on the side streets.  At one point, it finally
gives up the ghost and I call for a tow.  To add insult to injury, it's
raining like crazy.  Mama is NOT happy but luckily, the conversion from seat
to bed and two new pairs of boots she bought keeps her somewhat calm.
 The next day, again, not even suspecting the fuel pump (Hey, it's NEW,
well 4 months old) I start going over the symptoms while I lay there awake
for hours racking my brain as to what is up with the van NOW???  I set out
the next morning, flame wrench in hand and vengeance on my mind.  I'm going
to gut that catalytic converter once and for all and remove that "problem"
from my life.  Moments before I hit the striker, I hit the engine with a
shot of starting fluid and it ROARS to life, then dies...  WTF, fuel pump,
AGAIN?  I borrow neighbors truck and haul butt down to the FLAPS and get a
replacement under warranty for the last POS pump I got there.  How long will
this one last. Don't know, don't care.  It will be long enough to get a
REAL Bosch pump from one of our trusted vendors and go another 20 years with
no problems.
IF you're ever stuck on the side of the road and need an EMERGENCY fuel
pump, Advance/Discount Auto P/N E2000 will do in a pinch.  I believe it's
off an 86 or 87 Ford Bronco.  It has studs not spade connectors but comes
with adapters.  You will have to file one down to fit the vans female spade
connector.  I WAS on the side of the road and had to get one but after
failing in only 4 months, don't waste your time or money.  It was less than
$20 difference from one of the vendors but of course, if you need one right
NOW, well, you get the point.

Hope that helps someone, someday,

TJ
87 GL 2WD/Auto