=
Melissa,
I =
just replaced my fuel pump on my 89 Westy =
Wednesday while visiting my brother in Colorado =
so I'm *really* familiar with the problem. =
I'd bet the problem is the same as mine, =
as I had lots of other members of the list =
describe it to me. The gas tank is rusting =
and sending chunks into the pump which basically =
chokes it, causing it to whine. If its =
on an older vehicle it might be worn out =
but this rust problem is the worst culprit.
They =
could probably go a significant way before =
it totally craps out. Seems that higher =
outside temps and lower gas levels in the =
tank make the problem more pronounced. =
They might be able to get by simply by cleaning =
out the inlet side of the pump. I opted =
to replace the pump.
I called the Bus =
Depot (www.busdepot.com) and got the part =
2nd day air for $164. Its also available =
from Ken Wilfy (www.vanagain.com) but he =
was out of town when I needed it. It was =
listed as $150 and there is a 5% discount =
with BD if you tell them you belong to the =
list. The remainder was for the shipping....approx. =
$22 Be sure and order another fuel filter =
while you're doing it. It should be changed =
too. You'll also probably need a couple =
5/8" hose clamps too.
The repair =
was fairly straight forward. Required a =
clamp to clamp the fuel line shut coming =
out of the tank so it doesn't keep dripping. =
I used a small C clamp and two small pieces =
of wood. You'll need a 10 mm wrench, a =
phillips screw driver and possibly a wire =
stripper/crimper for replacing the electrical =
connectors because the new one I got from =
BD came with a different connector than =
stock.
First, UNHOOK THE NEGATIVE SIDE =
of the battery to avoid spark/explosion. =
Then clamp the fuel line upstream from =
the pump. Pay attention to the wiring so =
that you know which of the two wires is =
which. In case it isn't marked on the stock =
part, the brown/green wire is the negative =
wire. Replace fuel pump and filter, reconnect =
wiring, check fuel lines after releasing =
clamp for leaks, reconnect battery, and =
road test. Its a fairly straightforward =
repair that took me a little over an hour =
and I'm no great mechanic. It could be =
done in a motel parking lot....its that simple.
I =
chose to do it even mine was still working =
because I didn't want to do it someplace =
on I-80.
I take no credit for this description =
as it came from the great folks on the list.
Good =
luck!
Jim =
in Iowa
91 Passat Wagon GL
89 Westy
66 =
Beetle