Btl leaks gas while running = bad fuel pump?

[Jim Ed]

Can the fuel pump leak gas out of that little hole on the front side of the pump?
TIA!

[FJCamper]

Hi Jim Ed,

Yes, the mechanical pump can leak gas out through the vent hole, but only if the pump body has cracked in such a way that gas is leaking down past the diaphragm into the pump body.

And it does happen.

FJC

[SCOTTRODS]

Could have a Completely damaged diaphragm too couldn't you? No cracks Necessary?

[Marc]

Yes, it's referred to as a "witness hole". If fuel drips out there, odds are the diaphragm is bad. If it were not for that hole, all of the leaked gas would go directly into the crankcase where it could go unnoticed until bearing damage occurred. Some inevitably will anyway...smell your oil, it should be changed along with the pump.

[Jim Ed]

I installed that Brocar fuel pump in 2011 and there are not that many miles on it.
Should I start using an electric fuel pump instead?
TIA!

[FJCamper]

Hi Jim Ed,

Yes, as Marc says, the leak can be just from a bad diaphragm. I havn't used many mechanical pumps over the past decade or so, and remember the bad old days where diaphragms were more reliable, but sometimes cast pump bodies would crack -- especially right there at the pivot pin!

For a street car, I'd stick to a mechanical pump. Less overall complication.

FJC

[Piledriver]

Not having to crank for a long period to get fuel to the carb(s) can be ~ priceless.

Modern brand name electric pumps are quite reliable... Heck, i have been running the same Carter clacker (with Bugpack sticker) for ~25 years.
(currently feeding a Bosch -044 pumps supply sump)

The last car I worked on that had a new mech fuel pump lost the pivot pin within weeks.(fell off)
The dipstick actually worked as a temporary pivot pin to get him home.
(for all I know it's still that way, as in the movie, "some people you just can't reach")

Note: "Mr. Gasket" is not a brand name fuel pump, but they DO sell a garbage grade Chinese knockoff of a genuine Facet E-series pump.

[Marc]

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=140617

Please, should you choose to go with an electric pump, outfit it with a safety circuit of some kind.

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=129219&p=990848

[Piledriver]

To save polluting that thread, I like the $17 CIS relay (tach controlled) method.

[Jim Ed]

Got r done today. I remember installing that alternator style Brocar fuel pump in February 2011 I think. There were not that many miles put of it. It looks like this:
http://www.cbperformance.com/ProductDet ... 3-127-025b
I got it from aircooled.net. I noticed they do not sell those anymore.
I chose it because it had clips to help hold the lever pin on.
Can someone please recommend a better fuel pump, alternator style with clips on the pivot pin?
I want to have one ready for two years from now in case the Brocar pump I just installed malfunctions.
The previous silver Brocar fuel pump only lasted a little over 600 miles.
TIA!

[Jim Ed]

When I first noticed that leak my first impulse was that the leak was under the left rear wheel well area. The next morning when I got around to fixing it, for some reason I was sure that the leak was caused by a defective fuel pump.
After I installed two fuel pumps and the leak was still there,
I changed the stock 5 mm I.D. fuel hose that was under the left rear wheel well area to a
Gates® - Fuel Injection/MPI Hose
Part # 27094 1/4 Inch I.D.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... word=27094 .
This is a multi-fuel hose. I also think it will last longer than a stock hose because it is made better. I do not want to have to change the fuel hose under the Beetle every 3 years.
I also used special F.I. hose clamps that do not cut into the hose.
In the engine compartment I decided to continue using the stock braided German 5 mm I.D. hose because I like the looks and it is easy to change there.

Got r done today. I remember installing that alternator style Brocar fuel pump in February 2011 I think. There were not that many miles put of it. It looks like this:
http://www.cbperformance.com/ProductDet ... 3-127-025b
I got it from aircooled.net. I noticed they do not sell those anymore.
I chose it because it had clips to help hold the lever pin on.
Can someone please recommend a better fuel pump, alternator style with clips on the pivot pin?
I want to have one ready for two years from now in case the Brocar pump I just installed malfunctions.
The previous silver Brocar fuel pump only lasted a little over 600 miles.
TIA!