Chad, thanks for the tips on some tools to squeeze the lines, I'll pick some up next time I drive by just in case I need them. I'll check the fuel distributor before swapping the fuel filter (and getting gas all down my arm, ha.) [And thanks for your patience with all my stupid questions]
Matt, when I cycle the ignition key the system now pressurizes (tranfer pump buzzes). When I first started troubleshooting this was not happening and direct power to the transfer pump and the main fuel pump resulted in nothing. I was using a car battery (new but apparently not that charged from sitting at Sears) to test and this gave me inconclusive results. When I pulled the transfer pump, everything was gummy (from the old gas) and the transfer pump motor would not spin. Chad was patient with me and talked me through some tests which resulted in finding that the little fins on the transfer pump had broken off and were keeping it from spinning. I swapped in a known working transfer pump motor and continued diagnosing and then the known good transfer pump motor stopped working. Guess it only had some last breaths left in it and the tests worked but when it went back in the tank it went to transfer pump heaven. During this time I was able to fish out all the little broken plastic fins from the previous 'bad' transfer pump and it came alive again. That is what is in there now. I will eventually start replacing parts with new ones but only after I figure out where all the fuel problems are. The car has fresh gas now after pumping out most of the old gas. I probably should have changed the fuel filter when it was almost empty and let all the old gas come out but I was hoping she would fire up with new gas - no luck. Fuel pump fuse is fine but have not tested the relay yet but it sounds like it is working. So to answer your question Matt, I think both the transfer and main pump are working at this time. I had to frankenstein the transfer pump because that reducer piece fell apart (rubber likely eaten away by the bad gas). The McGuyver work I did on it seems to be holding together. This is why I am moving on from the pumps to make sure the Fuel Filter and lines are not clogged up and now checking the fuel distributor (can this thing be cleaned?) Thanks all, I press on. Larry 91 GTI 16V -----Original Message----- From: a2-16v-list [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Matthew Yip Sent: Monday, July 21, 2014 10:03 AM To: Volkswagen a2 16v discussion list Subject: Re: [a2-16v-list] Fuel Filter Replacement I just accept the fact that fuel will spill when changing the filter. I catch the fuel in a pan (oil drain pan works well) and more fairly quickly since cold fuel draining to my armpits isn't my definition of a cool bath. Not that much fuel leaks especially if you have the rear of the car raised to access the filter. Excuse my lack of memory but I'll ask these questions because I'm curious. When you cycle the ignition key, does the system pressurize (fuel pump buzz for a few seconds)? If no, is the fuel pump relay functioning correctly? Test by jumping the connections at the fuse box. If the pump works there, test the relay. On Sunday, July 20, 2014 1:05 PM, Larry Velez <[email protected]> wrote: Hi 16vers, As I continue to troubleshoot things on my car, I will likely be replacing the fuel filter to see if it is clogged up. Any tips on how to keep the fuel from spilling out when replacing the fuel filter? The Bentley says to clip the supply line but does not offer much more detail (as usual) I assume you guys don't empty out the fuel to replace the fuel filter - so how do you keep the fuel from spilling out? (Maybe only a little bit spills out when the car is off and it is safe to remove it when the battery is disconnected?) Would also welcome tips on how to test if the metal fuel lines are clogged up. At this point I suspect I am not getting fuel at the engine even though putting power on both the transfer pump and the main fuel pump cause them to buzz and spinup. (sorry for the stupid questions, you should expect them for a while until I learn to do my own maintenance) Thanks, Larry 91 GTI 16V _______________________________________________ a2-16v-list mailing list [email protected] http://mail.a2-16v.com/mailman/listinfo/a2-16v-list For list archives, see listinfo link above. _______________________________________________ a2-16v-list mailing list [email protected] http://mail.a2-16v.com/mailman/listinfo/a2-16v-list For list archives, see listinfo link above. _______________________________________________ a2-16v-list mailing list [email protected] http://mail.a2-16v.com/mailman/listinfo/a2-16v-list For list archives, see listinfo link above.
