Fuel system filters x 2???

Hi All,

I am currently in the process of getting a mk1 cab 1983 gti up and running. Had a good crack at the wknd. I went to drain out the previous fuel, been sat for over 3 years. I managed to get a lot out using the pump by turning the engine over, fuel line at front disconnected. Anyway, I found a leak from around the pump as I did this, traced it to a Bad fuel line. In the process of removing it, I found what looks to be another fuel filter. What is this, do I need it or can I bypass it as it looks rusted to hell. I have a new filter for next to the battery as lines look okay up there.

Any information you can advise greatly appreciated. Sorry still very new to this car, taking my time to get it running again. I seemed to have missed summer, whoops!

Cheers

Tim

Do you have a picture?
May be you are looking at the accumulator? It's a valve which holds the fuel pressure when you switch the car off so it makes it easier to start again when hot.
 Does it look like this?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MK2-GOLF-Fuel-Pressure-accumulator-Mk1-2-Golf-Corrado-K-Jet-16V-431133441C-/391387812082?hash=item5b208810f2:g:KbcAAOSweuxWTIN-

Yes that looks like the object that I thought was a second filter. Thanks for the clarification. I guess its not a good idea to bypass this then? What are the down sides if you do bypass it, are there alternative solutions? I can see why the previous owner had tried to reuse as it seems to attract quite a price tag!

If it's still working (you have no hot start problems) it does not really matter if it's rusty on the outside, you could always clean it and paint it?
Because your car is not running it's hard to tell if it's working untill the car is going, there is a little screw at the back and if you undo it there should be NO fuel coming out.

If you remove it you will lose all fuel pressure when you stop the car and it will be a real pig to start again when hot.
 

Hi, I have a spare s\h accumulator if you need one, its in fair condition and as far as I know it still works!

Hi, I have not actually had a chance to test my current one yet (assuming if I remove the rear screw and if no fuel comes out, all is good), but the hoses seem pretty shot. How much are you after for your second hand accumulator, and do you have the hoses and connectors to go with it? How come you have a spare?

As the car has not run for a while I am going to bypass the Accumulator just to get it up and running, and then fit something back in afterwards.

Hi, fuel leaking out of the screw at the back of the accumulator is a sign its failed, but just because there is no fuel leaking doesn't mean its ok either unfortunately. There is a diaphram inside the accumulator, If you haven't managed to build up any pressure in the system (because of other leaks you have) it may just mean that fuel hasn't had a chance to leak past it! I think you will have lots of running issues if you try to bypass the accumulator. Personally, I would try and rebuild the fuel system as it should be, make sure you get all the old fuel out and check inside your tank for any rust\debris BEFORE you go any further. Otherwise you risk of running rust etc through your injection system and you will end replacing just about everything in your fuel system, Injectors\Pump\WUR metering head etc. I learn't this lesson the hard way! Don't repeat my mistake! I have built up a small stock of Mk1 spares and have a spare accumulators (I don't have any pipework) Not really looking to sell tbh but happy to help out someone in need. Its in fair condition which you can have for £20 (which is what I paid for it). Let me know and good luck  

Hi, Thanks for the kinds words of wisdom. A fair amount of fuel was left in the tank for over 3 years. So far I have got 25 litres out of it. Gauge reads empty but still think there is more left. I have been syphoning out through filler neck. How did you check for rust in the tank, and how did you empty tank, did you drop the tank out? Looks like that might be an axle removal job to get it out. Yes please, i'll take your spare accumulator. Any idea where I could get the replacement fuel lines from? If not i'll try get get some made up my merlin motorsport (they do custom hoses of all sorts). Do you want payment via paypal? if so, PM me your address and i'll paypal over and give you delivery address. Thanks for the assistance. Do you happen to have the accumulator bracket aswell? My one is also very heavily corroded, so need to try hold it on some other way.
I might bypass the accumulator just to see if I can get it running (After I have checked tank for rust……) as the pump looks nice a new so just trying to get fuel to the injectors to get it to fire I have not actually heard it run, just been told it was fine when he parked it up, and started on an exhaust upgrade and left it……..
Thanks for your help!

Remove the back seat and black cover you will see the top of the fuel tank, remove the fuel sender and look inside the tank.
To clean it out properly you need to remove it and you do have to drop the rear beam to get enough room to get the tank out.

Pictures, my car is a 1988 cabriolet with a lift pump in the tank, yours may not have this pump?

Top of the tank and fuel pipes.


Tool I use and a hammer to knock the sender around.


Remove pipes and electrical connections


This is as far as you need to knock it around to be able to get the sender out.


And it's all out, be carful of the float as it's on a angle and takes a little wiggling and getting it at the right angle to get it in and out of the tank.
(You may not have a lift pump?)


I've left a magnet in my fuel tank to catch and rusty bit floating about.

 

Hi, I don't have a Golf Accumulator bracket but I may have an alternative that could be adapted possibly? I think CrazyQuiffs do the fuel lines (and brackets), also seen them on ebay and GSF.

I just re-read your original post and saw you have a Cab, the accumulator I have is from a TinTop, I think they are the same on an 83 cab, do you have a pic of yours. I think I also have the later Cab type (slightly smaller) somewhere but will have to have to check.

Thanks for all of the info guys. I'll get a pic of my accumulator and post it up. Will do it next to a measure tape so you can see size.

Fingers crossed pics below

Hi,

ok its the same as the TinTop

I have sent you a PM with my email, if you PM your address I will put it in the Post tomorrow.