Before you do check the header pump in the top of the petrol tank!!!

This was exactly what happened to me and my pump (AA recommended to!)

The header pump fails...Underbody pump works overtime trying to cope with
demand. Underbody pump then overheats and cuts out. Symptoms are exactly as
if this pump has failed - it hasn't...just working too hard.

Header pump is much cheaper too...about £22 and a piece of cake to fit. Main
pump is a pump with no father....and expensive too. I lost most of my fuel
changing mine, spent nearly £100 and then had the same problem!!

Start the Golf and lift the rear carpet in the boot. On the right is a round
access panel (3 screws I think). You should hear the pump as it's situtaed
at the top just below this panel. If you don't it may be dead and putting
the strain on the main pump.

I'd relpace this one anyway - it'll probably solve the problem and you may
have solved the problem and saved £70. If not do the other pump too
(nightmare...top tip wear goggles!) and you'll be comfortable in that you've
replaced them both and they'll not fail for years to come!!

Hope this helps...mail me if I can help further.

Regards

Michael




"RJH" wrote in message
...
Hi all - I'm pretty sure the underbody fuel pump has gone on my 89 Mk.2
GTI.
There's some life in it, but the AA have just been over the car for 2
hours
and it's their conclusion as well. Just the pump is about £90 inc from
GSF,
so I'll try and get one from a scrappy.

But before I do, does anyone know if a one-piece pump, that fits in the
tank
in place of the current dual system, is retro fit? I read a brief
reference
to this type of pump in Haynes.
TIA
Rob

Rob - I did drain most of my fuel off before doing the main pump but despite
that there was LOADS in the reservoir and I got soaked!

The top pump has its own filter too and this could be clogged too I guess.
Have you checked the inline filter isn't too blocked? There is obviously a
serious blockage somewhere to prevent it starting. What else did the AA
recommend?

I've not heard of this all-in-one pump...I did a bit of reserch for mine
when it went and I didn't ever hear of this or have anyone mention it. What
would replace the hole left by the main pump?

Regards

Michael
"RJH" wrote in message
...

"Michael Mc" wrote in message
...
Before you do check the header pump in the top of the petrol tank!!!

This was exactly what happened to me and my pump (AA recommended to!)

The header pump fails...Underbody pump works overtime trying to cope
with
demand. Underbody pump then overheats and cuts out. Symptoms are exactly
as
if this pump has failed - it hasn't...just working too hard.

Header pump is much cheaper too...about £22 and a piece of cake to fit.
Main
pump is a pump with no father....and expensive too. I lost most of my
fuel
changing mine, spent nearly £100 and then had the same problem!!

Start the Golf and lift the rear carpet in the boot. On the right is a
round
access panel (3 screws I think). You should hear the pump as it's
situtaed
at the top just below this panel. If you don't it may be dead and
putting
the strain on the main pump.

I'd relpace this one anyway - it'll probably solve the problem and you
may
have solved the problem and saved £70. If not do the other pump too
(nightmare...top tip wear goggles!) and you'll be comfortable in that
you've
replaced them both and they'll not fail for years to come!!

Hope this helps...mail me if I can help further.

Regards

Michael

Hi Michael - many thanks for that, reassuring to know that someone's been
there! I did have to tell the AA there were 2 pumps - he didn't believe me
until I showed him the wiring diagram.

The problem I have is that the car won't start. When he put more petrol in
it nearly did - could be gravity. So it's a real pain for me to figure out
which is failing, they both make a noise. But the AA guy assured me that
it's the bottom pump or clogging in the reservoir it sits in - he pulled
off
various hoses and somehow figured it out - plenty of fuel out the top,
very
little underneath.

I'm a bit worried about fixing it in the street which is why I asked about
a
new in-the-tank all-in-one pump. In fact the AA guy reckoned there was
enough flow from the top pump to at least get it going, although I don't
fancy trying that. But if there isn't an all in one wouldn't it be
possible
to just pinch the hoses at the top pump which should stop fuel coming out
the tank? And then fit the bottom pump.

Anyway, thanks again.

Rob

Hi Michael

"Michael Mc" wrote in message
...
Rob - I did drain most of my fuel off before doing the main pump but
despite
that there was LOADS in the reservoir and I got soaked!

I'll try and make repair day coincide with bath night :-)

The top pump has its own filter too and this could be clogged too I guess.
Have you checked the inline filter isn't too blocked? There is obviously a
serious blockage somewhere to prevent it starting. What else did the AA
recommend?

He said: flow after top pump - OK; flow after bottom pump - poor. He tested
before and after the filter (the filter is after the bottom pump) so ruled
out the filter. His conclusion was that something was going on in the bottom
pump unit - either the reservoir was blocked or the pump was past its best.
He was a bit confused because the bottom pump was spinning.

I've not heard of this all-in-one pump...I did a bit of reserch for mine
when it went and I didn't ever hear of this or have anyone mention it.
What
would replace the hole left by the main pump?

No, I hadn't either. It's just mentioned in a couple of lines in Haynes. All
I'd do is throw away all the undercar gubbins (it's just held on by 4 bolts)
and route the top hose through under the car and join the two bits of pipe
together. Might give vw a call about it.

Sorry to hear about your 8v demise btw - cam belt check has been brought
forward a bit! I think the 16v induction/engine management wiring will be
the pig - it's all in Bentley's. Exhaust, injection, manifolds, clutch,
gearbox ... head spins. I think I'd try a local specialist. There's one near
me, in S.Woodford, who do this. I'm sure they charge less than £500 for an
engine swap, and they'd give you something for the 16v.
b/w
Rob

Rob - Thanks for that....gutted about the 8v. It's now definately a
non-runner. New cam is chipped and damaged lobes, vernier lightened pulley
shattered, cam belt teeth stripped, and now sounds like pistons are
grinding. Oh well. Was a spanker too. That's why I want an engine
transplant. I'm hoping to do the swap though....

Have looked through Haynes now and still can't find this all-in-one pump
ref. Do you have page numbers?

Is this pump was able to deliver the same flow from the two then I see no
reason it wouldn't work.

Regards

Michael
"RJH" wrote in message
...
Hi Michael

"Michael Mc" wrote in message
...
Rob - I did drain most of my fuel off before doing the main pump but
despite
that there was LOADS in the reservoir and I got soaked!

I'll try and make repair day coincide with bath night :-)

The top pump has its own filter too and this could be clogged too I
guess.
Have you checked the inline filter isn't too blocked? There is obviously
a
serious blockage somewhere to prevent it starting. What else did the AA
recommend?

He said: flow after top pump - OK; flow after bottom pump - poor. He
tested
before and after the filter (the filter is after the bottom pump) so ruled
out the filter. His conclusion was that something was going on in the
bottom
pump unit - either the reservoir was blocked or the pump was past its
best.
He was a bit confused because the bottom pump was spinning.

I've not heard of this all-in-one pump...I did a bit of reserch for mine
when it went and I didn't ever hear of this or have anyone mention it.
What
would replace the hole left by the main pump?

No, I hadn't either. It's just mentioned in a couple of lines in Haynes.
All
I'd do is throw away all the undercar gubbins (it's just held on by 4
bolts)
and route the top hose through under the car and join the two bits of pipe
together. Might give vw a call about it.

Sorry to hear about your 8v demise btw - cam belt check has been brought
forward a bit! I think the 16v induction/engine management wiring will be
the pig - it's all in Bentley's. Exhaust, injection, manifolds, clutch,
gearbox ... head spins. I think I'd try a local specialist. There's one
near
me, in S.Woodford, who do this. I'm sure they charge less than £500 for an
engine swap, and they'd give you something for the 16v.
b/w
Rob

Hi Michael
"Michael Mc" wrote in message
...
Rob - Thanks for that....gutted about the 8v. It's now definately a
non-runner. New cam is chipped and damaged lobes, vernier lightened pulley
shattered, cam belt teeth stripped, and now sounds like pistons are
grinding. Oh well. Was a spanker too. That's why I want an engine
transplant. I'm hoping to do the swap though....

The 16v swap is definitely worth investigating, let us know how you get on.
How did this happen? Was it the cam belt teeth stripping?

Have looked through Haynes now and still can't find this all-in-one pump
ref. Do you have page numbers?

It's p. 4F.4, section 12 (1999 ed.), and it reads: "From 1989 certain models
fitted with the Digifant system are fitted with a single fuel pump in the
tank rather than the previous arrangement described above".

Is this pump was able to deliver the same flow from the two then I see no
reason it wouldn't work.

Indeed, and saves crawling about under the car ever again, not that'd I'd
expect this to happen ever again ;-). I am curious to know where the fuel
filter fits in though.

b/w
Rob