Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 12:49:49 -0700
Reply-To: Nicholas Wilson <nwilson@MCN.ORG>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Nicholas Wilson <nwilson@MCN.ORG>
Subject: Re: Whining Fuel Pump - HELP!
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
The symptom of idling fine but sputtering and failing on acceleration usually indicates fuel starvation.
The Bentley Vanagon manual page 20.7 gives a simple test for fuel volume delivery. Get under the van and disconnect the fuel return line from the fuel pressure regulator. Run a short length of hose from the regulator outlet nipple into a quart container, then run the fuel pump for exactly 30 seconds and measure the volume of fuel delivered. It should be at least 500 cc, a little over 16 oz. You can run the fuel pump by operating the starter or by turning on the ignition and manually opening the flap in the air flow sensor or bridging terminals 36 and 39 on the air flow sensor connector plug.
If the fuel volume test shows not enough fuel, then the likely suspect is the fuel filter, since you just replaced the fuel pump. An '81 Vanagon with fuel injection has one of two fuel filters. The California model has a large metal cylindrical filter in line AFTER the fuel pump. The non-Cal has a smaller white rectangular plastic filter in line BEFORE the pump. I'm assuming you have a non-Cal model and that either you didn't replace the filter when the pump was replaced, or if you did there's a restriction in the line before the pump. Possibly the outlet screen in the fuel tank is clogged. This would account for the pump whine, because the pump is cooled, lubricated and quieted by the fuel flowing thru it.
You mentioned putting in new points, but the '81 Vanagon doesn't have any. It uses a Hall effect sensor to control the electronic ignition and send rpm info to the control computer.
Let us know if you solve the problem.
Happy trails,
Nick
Present lineup: '82 Cal Westy, '88 and '89 Jettas
Prev. owned: '59 beetle, '57 Porsche 356A, '62 VW camper, '66 Deluxe Microbus, '70 Westy, '81 diesel Rabbit
-----------Original message-------------------
>Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 09:45:41 -0400
>From: Scott Snyder <dipp@ACCESS.MOUNTAIN.NET>
>Subject: Whining Fuel Pump - HELP!
>I wrote several weeks ago about my whining fuel pump--- I thought a new one
might take care of my stalling out problem so I replaced the pump-- it still
whines!!! and still stalls out!!!
>I have a new fuel pump, injectors, new liner in gas tank, new points, plugs,
etc. The engine will idle fine for hours, but when I take it out on the
road (and as soon as it warms up) it cuts out and sputters when I press on
the gas (attempt to accelerate). If I let it sit for about 15 minutes I can
start it back up and be on the road for another mile or two before it starts
the same thing over again.
This is becoming exasperating! Any thoughts, hints, or advice will be
greatly appreciated!
Thanks again for your help
Scott
81 Westy
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