Fuel pump question

Vealmonkey · Post by **Vealmonkey** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:04 am

I have a Tow'd. I installed a new Brosol fuel pump, all new fuel line, and plastic inline fuel filter. For some reason the fuel pump does not seem to be picking up suction off the fuel line. The arrow for the fuel filter is pointed towards the engine of the Tow'd. With the fuel line disconnected from the carb and held level, fuel happily runs out the fuel line, so the line or the filter are not clogged. I have the fuel line from the tank connected at the lower connection on the fuel pump. Should the fuel pump be sucking the fuel the rest of the way to the pump on it's own, or does it need priming somehow? Was wondering if anyone else had this problem? Would I be better off buying a different brand fuel pump much more like the stock vw fuel pump? Are there other mechanical fuel pumps available or should I just bite the bullet and try another fuel pump of the same brand?

Lee · Post by **Lee** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 5:46 am

"I have the fuel line from the tank connected at the lower connection on the fuel pump." On 99% of the new pumps I have seen, the top connection is the suction side, and the bottom connection goes to the carb(s). That's most likely the problem. If that doesn't work, make sure you used the correct length pushrod for the pump, and that the pushrod is not worn out.

Vealmonkey · Post by **Vealmonkey** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 6:12 am

I have checked both sizes of pushrod and it uses the longer push rod, the shorter pushrod is just about flush with the plastic base. I have tried hooking up the fuel pump both ways and neither top nor bottom want to take suction from the fuel tank??? I wish the fuel pump was marked inlet and outlet. I might just try to find an original vw fuel pump and try my luck. This brosol fuel pump is the same size top and bottom diameters and is totally sealed. Hopefull some other people on here have had similar problems or better luck. Thank you very much for your quick reply though.

5150bossman · Post by **5150bossman** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:16 pm

Has the new pump been primed at all? If you don't get some of the air out of the pump, it may not pull any fuel. The starter alone may not spin the motor fast enough to get rid of the air. Once you get the pump direction squared away, try squirting some starter fluid in the carb. The motor should fire momentarilly giving you a bit more pulling power on the pump.

Vealmonkey · Post by **Vealmonkey** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 7:10 pm

I'm rigging up an auxiliary hanging temp tank to try and get some fuel to the carb and the car fired and running. I have several fire extinguishers in stand-by. I hope that if I can get the car running it will get fuel to the pump, but I will try and prime the pump also. Also I will try and hook the fuel fill up to the uppermost fitting on the fuel pump and see if this helps. Thanks for the suggestions.

Lee · Post by **Lee** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 9:21 pm

Let's back up a little. Why did you replace the fuel pump in the first place? What was the condition of the engine / pump before? Did it run? Have you tried disconnecting the fuel line from the carb and seeing if fuel shoots out of it when the engine is cranked? If the float valve in the carb is closed or clogged, the pump won't be able to push fuel into it. Verify this by placing a new piece of fuel line on the carb's inlet and see if you can blow air into it. "I have checked both sizes of pushrod and it uses the longer push rod, the shorter pushrod is just about flush with the plastic base." So that means your fuel pump is the straight one, not the angled one? The short pushrod will be almost flush with the base in either case (both pumps use the same mounting flange). If you are using the long pushrod with the angled pump, it will destroy the pump. I am interested in learning how this turns out!

Vealmonkey · Post by **Vealmonkey** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 2:52 am

Good news, with the temporary tank I rigged up I was able to get the Tow'd running. Once I got it running, I hooked up the fuel line from the tank to the top fitting on the fuel pump and low and behold, my fuel pump started pumping fuel. I disconnected the temporary fuel tank and hooked up the fuel line from the tank and it is working now. I need to get the carb dialed in some more but it's running. Now, I will be hooking up new brake lines and master cylinder and then I will be ready for a small yard and road test. Now, I'll have to concentrate more on finding a title, or find a junker with a title which is getting pretty hard in Maryland anymore. You can find junkers without paper, I just need to find the paper or junker with paper. I also will be needing to find bumpers or at least a front bumper and an original style turning brake would be nice. I think I will be installing one of those buggy parking brake assemblys in the brake line. Would like to have it legal and halfway roadworthy by bugout in september. Need to make a dash too. Does anyone have any full size plans for a dash?