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Another fuel leak

Thought I had it kicked. Replaced a fuel hose recently as I could twist the old line and it turned easily.

Took the VW over to Midas to check the exhaust system. Found a few pinholes, but, other than that, good to go. They also found fuel on the bottom of the mounting plate where the fuel pump/accumulator/fuel filter set. They pulled the plate free and let all dangle in the air from the fuel lines, used some chemical to clean it up and allowed to air dry. They said the fuel pump was leaking. Ouch, I said to the money involved for replacement.

But, I needed a show me. They showed me. Wasn't the fuel pump at all. Was the fuel reservoir between the transfer pump and fuel pump. Has a rectangular protrusion with a cover on it (normal). Guessing that its some kind of overpressure popoff cover. Looks like the little cover was leaking as I felt liquid there and saw it on my finger and smelled it. This was up higher than all the rest, so, that's what's leaking.

After educating the guy at Midas, he called the local VW dealer. (Midas guy thought the fuel reservoir was integral to the fuel pump). It took awhile to get the VW parts rep to understand. I drew a simple block diagram to relay to the guy including the fuel line routes to and from the fuel reservoir to ease the understanding. Basically, the fuel reservoir has 4 lines. 1. From the transfer pump in the fuel tank to it. 2. To the fuel tank 3. To the primary external fuel pump. 4. From the engine compartment in the form of a return line (the hose I replaced).

Anyway, they want 4 bills to replace the fuel reservoir, the fuel filter, and do an injector cleaning. Bear in mind that these injectors are never off (unlike electronic actuated versions). I don't know what their markup is for the VW part, or the fuel filter. Injector cleaning is 54 bucks.

Working under the car with gas pouring out is not my cup of tea. Nor are the fumes afterwards. The filter replacement is not that difficult. Some difficulties are getting it properly aligned in relation to the fuel line from the accumulator AND the line be tight in the outgoing line toward the engine WITHOUT twisting the fuel line. Which means to simplify and make easy, disconnect that line from the steel line going toward the engine. The fuel reservoir is a bear to get to. Even with all disassembled, lying on your back, trying to orient yourself to see and disassemble/assemble. Even on a set of cheap ramps, the space is inadequate. So, I'll probably bite on it.

For the seasoned follks out there, and those familiar at least, here's my question. How often does a fuel reservoir fail by producing a leak?

Reply to
Dioclese
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Often enough that is in the list of things to check.

On the old cars with mechanical injectors I always replaced injectors and seals. I believe the only way to clean and test is using graduated beakers (Jelly jars) to review spray pattern and flow. Cleaning part is sending injectors off to RC Engineering

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although theyseem to just service efi injectors. I would also do things like check the CPR for crud and flush that out as well as clean screens in the fuel distributor. Not a lot of point in trying to clean injectors if crud from upstream might break loose and cause more clogs.

Reply to
Jim Behning

I will make a WILD assumption that you are talking about a Jetta or Golf 1985-1987 8V, or a 16V Golf or Jetta? Oh where oh where is my crystal ball! lol Maybe it is a Fox or Passat which might have that system that you are describing.

Are you talking about a plastic housing for the Jetta fuel pump? The fuel pump fits inside of this housing. Housing, rubber mounts possibly, new fuel filter, new hose clamps, 3 screws for the fuel pump cap, fuel pump O-ring and ??? Parts should run under $100 for aftermarket stuff.

JMHO but I would NOT let MIDAS do this job. Either do it yourself or f>

Reply to
dave AKA vwdoc1

I've visited and posted often enough that I would suppose that at least you would recognize what vehicle I have from past recent posts. 88 Fox wagon GL, 1.8L SOHC CIS-E.

I'll draw you a picture too.

Gas tank with transfer pump > Fuel reservoir > fuel pump > accumulator > fuel filter > line to engine compartment> line from engine compartment> fuel reservoir> return line to gas tank. The fuel reservoir purpose is to hold fuel in abeyance as the transfer pump cannot keep up with the external fuel pump in case of surges, and to cycle the fuel back to the tank. Believe that's why its referred to a reservoir. If you don't believe me, see the Bentley for the Fox. The fuel reservoir is painted red like the car. Has the appearance of plastic, I don't know what its made of.

Yes, there were some telltale signs they don't have a clue about mechanical injectors or their working like the fuel distributor. What kills me is laying on my back with gas fumes abound while I trying to get to the fuel reservoir. At its normal location, its above the fuel pump. Cannot see a thing up there. On a lift, its easy to remove all and replace the fuel reservoir. But, you're not here to see that. Just post judgment from a safe spot at your PC. That seems to be a continuous saga for you as I frequent here often.

Reply to
Dioclese

It sounds as if you have a shred of doubt, in which case I'd suggest that you have it done by someone experienced for your own piece of mind. Preferably a VW technician as mentioned earlier, due to the main reason that your car is old, things can break, things will break, and you may end up beating yourself up later over why you tried to take this task on yourself. Something to stew on.

Reply to
Madesio

No I usually purge some information from my memory! lol Sorry that I don't remember your exact vehicle since I see that there are so many different vehicles in this group. :-(

I have four vehicles, three being VW-based and they are all somewhat different. So if I am asking questions I usually try to identify the vehicle so others can know what I am talking about.

Your GL, 1.8L SOHC CIS-E should have an electronic fuel pressure regulator that requires a digital Volt Ohm meter to set the CO at the fuel distributor. The dealer will call your part a fuel filter also, part # 533-201-511A IIRC. It is different than the regular metal fuel filter. It should be very easy to change and should not be that expensive either. It is probably in the system to stop the larger particles from damaging the main fuel pump along with that reservoir function that you are describing. I have something very similar on my '83 Audi 4000s, but TG it is not leaking. Gas just costs too much to waste! 8^)

As others say, if you don't want to do the job take it to a VW-specialist and NOT MIDAS. ;-)

good luck!

Reply to
dave AKA vwdoc1

Primarily, its not knowing what I'm doing. Rather, its seeing what I'm working on AND able to access that freely. Therein, is where I see easy potential for mistake. I'll probably buy the part from VW myself. Take it over to the local garage for installation.

The Bentley, at the very beginning of the manual under maintenance recommends additives for injector cleaning as standard routine, they don't say how often. So, I guess I'll do that more often, have done it abut every

6 months in the past. Just won't use the super strong stuff that may break up large chunks in the fuel distributor all at once.
Reply to
Dioclese

The chunks are not in the fuel distributor. They are in the injectors. Specifically at the tips or just inside the tips. Ok, the chunks of rust that are in the screens of the CPR and in the fuel distributor are not going to break up and loose with injector cleaning. That is why people who know clean those screens.

Reply to
Jim Behning

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