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Wed Feb 03, 2021 10:20 am

What are your opinions on this? I have a 1600 SP which needs a new fuel pump and I want to do it right. Would you go mechanical or electric?

I have a good recommendation on a newly rebuilt mechanical for about $140.
Carter electric fuel pumps seem to get good reviews, but if the mechanical is better I'd be happy keeping the stock setup.

All opinions are welcome!
Thanks in advance.

TJ

Wed Feb 03, 2021 10:51 am

I once went for a remote electric fuel pump and it worked well, but that was the only one, out of necessity, because there was no place for a mechanical unit - see, I bought this later used 1600 engine that only used an electric pump … otherwise, I always went mechanical.

Which type is better? Neither is better - just different - either one works well - z

Wed Feb 03, 2021 10:54 am

Get a rebuilt one from Bill.

A stock mechanical pump is all you need and there's no need for an electric one which can continue to run and dump fuel in the event of an accident.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2433235

Wed Feb 03, 2021 11:33 am

I sent an email to Bill about a re-built one. Thank you for all the help and suggestions.

TJ

Wed Feb 03, 2021 12:14 pm

Just FYI and future newbies.

Both are fine, but the rebuildable mechanical pump is better for simplicity. Pretty much the pump and pump push rod are the only two failure parts. A spare push rod can be easily carried in a spare parts box on board. Original German VW push rods are better quality, been reports of new repro push rods being too soft and wearing down too much on the lower end. Which then no longer pumps the fuel pump. A spare rebuilt fuel pump in the onboard spare parts box or even just a fuel pump rebuild kit and a bit if new grease will allow one to rebuild the pump on the side of the road. OG VW or older VW of Brazilian fuel pumps are far better built than today's manufactured mechanical fuel pumps. Most new modern fuel pumps put out too much fuel pressure. So one is back to needing a fuel pressure regulator or coming up with a way to adjust the fuel pressure with added gasket shims or cutting down the too strong of spring inside the pump.

Installing an electric pump, and you need a fuel pressure regulator, so another part to possibly fail. Also for safety, best to wire in a relay that will shut off the electric fuel pump when a crash happens. So when the engine is no longer running, the fuel is not just pumping out of a broken fuel line. Any fault with any of these parts or wiring can cause the VW engine failure to run.

Electric fuel pump really comes into necessity if one is installing fuel injection.

Wed Feb 03, 2021 12:32 pm

Great tips and info Eric&Barb, thank you for educating me.

TJ

Thu Feb 04, 2021 8:49 am

Big shout out to Bill at the link below. He was great to work with and my fuel pump is on it's way to my house as we speak.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2433235

TJ

Thu Feb 04, 2021 9:34 am

SLIVER270 wrote: I sent an email to Bill about a re-built one. Thank you for all the help and suggestions.

TJ

Good choice. Nice to see that good parts are available for someone to do reasonable rebuilds and make some money

Thu Feb 04, 2021 3:13 pm

When you get Bill's pump it will look like the photos. Top shelf guy.

Sat Feb 06, 2021 5:53 am

Ya, he has been great to work with. Happy to send him my business!

TJ