Injector Pump Problem?

I've heard some folks on the VW-DIESEL mailing list suggest using a bottle and hose to feed fuel to the pump, keeping the bottle at a higher level than the pump. If this doesn't work, then something is wrong inside the pump, but if it does work then its either a weak transfer pump or an air leak or clog somewhere between the tank and pump.

Your pump lost it's prime. Also you've had the entire system open and a 20 year old pump does not have much of a chanch of sucking that heavy diesel from the tank to the engine. Normal reason for loosing prime is a worn seal on the pump shaft. The seal is replacable. What you need to do is prime the pump. I do it with a gasoline fuel pump available from a autoparts store($30-$40). The flow and pressure rating is not important. Insert the pump at the intake to the filter. It will take the pump about 5 mineuts to prime the system. Then loosen injector lines as per bently. When VW first introduced their diesel back in the 70's there was talk about the pump never being designed to pump the fuel all that way. On the 1977 Rabbits there was a plunger pump on the fuel filter bracket for just your problem. They desided it was not necessary and stopped putting them on. You can mount the pump permently and hook the positive wire from the pump to the stop solenoid on the injector pump.

Remove the pump return fuel line and fill the pump to the top. This should be enough to get it going.

Much thanks to Roger Brown, Jo Bo and Woodchuck.

I poured fuel into the fuel line to prime the pump. I then turned the motor over w/ each of the lines to the injectors opened while refilling the fuel line. I then made sure the filter was as full as possible and the motor started. You guys were right on the money and I truely appreciate it. Thanks for your suggestions.

WhiteDog