[VB] diagnosing bad fuel pump?

[C. Dreike]

I think I have published this before, sometimes a pump can last a long 
time. Mine is the original pump. The only repair has been replacing 
the screw that holds down the top. Never changed the diaphragm or the 
internal screen. Has over 300k miles on it and its only 50 years old.
YMMV

Chris

Scientists seek to understand what is,
while engineers seek to create what never was.
As the "Bad Astronomer" Phil Plait says, "Teach a man to reason, and 
he can think for a lifetime."
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kevin Guarnotta" <kguarnotta at usa.net>
To: "'C. Dreike'" <c.dreike at verizon.net>; <vintagebus at type2.com>; 
<type2 at type2.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 08, 2013 5:13 AM
Subject: RE: [VB] diagnosing bad fuel pump?


Thanks for the tips...

I've got a H30/31 Pict carburetor. The fuel pump is a Brosol, made in
brazil. The pivot pin looks to be in place, it has about 1/32 play 
front to
back, which I would think is ok? The base of the fuel pump is kind of 
dirty,
so I don't think I'm leaking gas there-otherwise I think I'd see 
streaks of
dirt or something like that.

I didn't open the bowl lately, but earlier this summer I took the carb
apart, and soaked it in carb cleaner overnight. So I think it is 
clean. I
did this, as originally I thought the problem was a dirty carb.

I don't have a fuel pressure gauge. As far as temp and vapor lock, I 
have
thought about that - but it often happens when I've just stopped to 
get gas,
so I would have just let air into the tank. I think my gas cap is 
vented,
and when I open the cap, I never hear a woosh noise, like I've just 
released
some pressure.

I'm looking at alternate fuel pumps, and they look relatively cheap - 
around
$25. Makes me think it is not worth spending a lot of time messing 
around
with it. I've never changed the fuel pump on this, so I'd guess it is 
at
least 15 years old. Not sure how long they last, but if I get 15 years 
out
of a $25 part, I'm ok with that. My question about a new pump - which 
is the
right one to get. I understand that because I have an alternator I am
supposed to get a different than stock one, but I can't seem to find 
them
online-or if I do see some, they look different than mine or I keep 
running
into electric fuel pumps.

-Kevin Guarnotta
Jamaica Plain, MA

'78 Westy
'69 Singlecab
'65 Ez-camper


-----Original Message-----
From: C. Dreike [mailto:c.dreike at verizon.net]
Subject: Re: [VB] diagnosing bad fuel pump?

Hi Kevin,
Which carb do you have?
How about the float? Did you open up the bowl and check it out? Maybe 
some
sludge has developed in there.
And yes, poor fuel pressure could be a problem. Do you have a pressure 
gage
and a T to put in the line? I have one of those all purpose 
pressure/vacuum
gages. Fuel pressure will be somewhere in the 2-7 psi range. Maybe 
someone
else will chime in with a more exact pressure point.

Does this happen on hot days? Not likely, but a vapor lock could 
occur.

BTW, my fuel injection is running nicely. I'll be working on the cold 
start
later in the year as its been too warm out here in So Cal to have a 
problem
since about April. Temperature today, approx. 75F.

Cheers,

Chris
64 DD Kamper Kit
Now with FI power.