Strange GTI fuel pump noise......

1.8 GTI Cab ('87)

…sometimes, when braking and stopping (at traffic lights, parking etc.), the main fuel pump changes pitch (higher) and sounds like it's getting air in it……sometimes the engine actually cuts out…..
..has happened under hard braking, but not on hard acceleration….

Initially started to appear when down to half a tank…..
Now at 3/4 tank…..

Main pump (and fuel tank/filler neck) 3 years old
Lift pump 18 months old

I am thinking that the hose from the lift pump is split……allowing air into the system when the fuel in the tank shifts and moves the lift pump/sender unit…

..am going to check it out later today, but anyone got any other ideas ?????

Is it worse with a full or part tank.

had a similar problem with my cab - got a load noise from what seemed like the pump but is was actually the pipe from the accumulator vibrating - caused, I think, by an air lock or water in the accumulator - gave it a good clean out and problem went away  

Crazyquiff….WAS ok on full tank…

This is what I found when I took the lift pump out…………..


……….just look at the crud on the filter….
The tank was swilled out before fitting,
I have been VERY careful when filling,
it's non-metallic,
and there's tons more of it in the bottom of the tank.
DIRTY FUEL ??????!!!!!

…after cleaning…..


sounds and goes better so far….taking a spin later…so fingers crossed…

8O was it easy to remove the lift pump?

Phil,

I don't think you'll find the lift pump on your tintop.

Prowler,

Man that is dirty - didn't remove that from my car - maybe need to have a look!!

Dirty fuel is a real problem - I filled a petrol can from a station and put some in my lawn mower - found that it had about 1/2 pint of water in it!!!!  Suffice to say the lawnmower didn't run very well  

When you bought your new lift pump, did it come complete with the sender etc

I need one for a conversion on my clipper ya see.

PhillTMK1GTI said

8O was it easy to remove the lift pump?

Very easy…(This is only on later GTI Cabs I think)

Remove rear seat squab.

Remove this plate…(3 screws - 2 already removed)………




Remove the electrical connector and undo / remove the supply pipe (lower) and return (upper)……….



USE A WOODEN DRIFT to knock each of the lugs to rotate the whole assembly (yes - I KNOW I have not removed the pipes !!!!)


Wiggle the assembly out -  it JUST fits the hole……

…..check the big 'O' ring….must replace mine….just found where fuel was leaking when the tank's full !!!!!……….


The filter pops off with the help of a small screwdriver.

Websnowbo said

When you bought your new lift pump, did it come complete with the sender etc

I need one for a conversion on my clipper ya see.

…pump on it's own with filter attached.

Nice clear detailed pictures Prowler , what more can you ask for when explaining how to do something  

Cheers……..

My pleasure chudd…..must add it to my web site….

Anyway, I now have, as said in another post (about the fuel pump filter)…
"1.8 ltr of pure BEAST"!!!!  
The difference that stupid little filter made!
Just been for a 'quick' blast (about 30 miles of pure fun)…..I did not realise how much power was missing - I normally drive like a tortoise - but not tonight !!!!!   :twisted:  :twisted:

Cool! cheers for that.. will give it a go on the weekend while I'm fitting a new fuel line

Oh.. might be worth also adding it to the knowledge base here

that seems to be very empty  

Prowler - thats one dirty filter 8O looks like you been making coffee with it. What sort of petrol have you been puting into it?

Cheers

Had a look at mine over the weekend..

took it all off and what I had was.. well, not that! in the haynes manual it looks like I've got the same as a Scirroco  :dontknow:

No filter there at all, looks like the only thing there is the Fuel gauge sender unit!

is this right for my car? 1600 '82 GTI

You won't have what was pictured on the previous page - that was a cab wasn't it?

You will only have the sender in your tank.

The fuel exits the tank through a gravity fed tube in the right hand corner where it attaches to the pump. You then have the little filter, like I found full of crud on mine (other post), and then the big silver filter at the metering head.

I think that's right for your car, mine's an 83' cab GTi and only has the fuel sender unit in the tank. The only pump it has is the one under the car.

Mike

Oh I see! that would explain it!

well seems to be running well at the moment (still need to tune the timing a little I think) and just put a new fuel pump on and drained the tank

so I think it should be ok (unless the new pump didn't come with that little filter :scratch: )

didn't like the look of inside the tank, the sender unit was really rusty and suprised it still works! and the tank looked, well… Mank! going to treat it to a new fual tank and sender unit if it gets through the MOt without too much of a headache!

Sorry to bring up an old thread…

I just bought a dog of an 86 Cabby (Cheaply thank god)

The fuel pump sounds like a Clifford alarm on start up and it doesn't like to stay running when cold - when warm idle is about 2k

Where can i find/what does the accumulator look like?

all under the car near the rear wheel/fuel tank

Thanks Jonny - i take it its just remove and clean with carb cleaner?