Replacing fuel pump gasket

[mariner]

Hi

Have a fairly major oil leak on my van which is a 2 ltr air-cooled petrol. Fitted new breather pipe and oil pressure switch and that seems to have stopped the leak in the top of the engine but it is still losing a lot underneath. Been advised to start by changing the push rod seals and the fuel pump gasket. There's loads of great stuff on here about changing push rod seals but can't find anything on changing the fuel pump gaskets. Is it just a case of removing the pump (star key?) and then taking out old gaskets and replacing new? I was assured by the mechanic that a novice like myself should be able to manage it! Any advice or tips would be much appreciated.

[mariner]

Managed to get the bottom screw off and taken out the six screws that hold the pump together to try and give easier access to the top screw but still can't get at it. Am I missing something obvious or is it just difficult to get to? First attempt at something mechanical and it's not going well!

[jamesc76]

sure the pumps only held on by 2 bolts ??????

[mariner]

Yep, certainly is from what I can see and from what the mechanic told me the other day. Need a t40 star key. Does this not sound right?!

[horizontal kipper]

Be very carefull you dont bust the bakerlite insulating block the fuel pump sits on.

[mariner]

Too late, father-in-law been a bit too zealous trying to remove the second screw and bust it! Not a good day. Eventually had to give up on second screw as just couldn't get enough purchase with tool and access we had, put it back together but is obviously leaking far worse than before as the bakelite flange is in several bits. To the garage it goes! You live and learn.

[mariner]

This is not going well! Don't think I'll be branching out into repairs anytime soon! Vw heritage delivered a new fuel pump flange today but it's the wrong one and they can't get hold of the one I need - apparently it's very difficult to get hold of.

Going to attempt to get home to Bristol without running the oil dry then need to start hunting out the correct piece. Anyone know of any suppliers I could try? Been told I might looking at a new pump, although I read on other threads that this might mean changing from a mechanical to an electric one!

Any advice would be massively welcomed, my heavily pregnant wife is about to have big sense of humour failure!

Been an interesting introduction to life with a camper van!

[kevtherev]

Going electric is a well trodden path, and a sensible one
I'm sure if you ask on here which pump and what else you need it will be answered.
As for your mechanical pump.
Maybe try manufacturing your own part that bust out of plastic?

[mariner]

Cheers Kev. Want to avoid the cost of a new pump if possible. Had the thought myself yesterday about trying to produce my own and glad to see someone else suggesting it - wasn't sure how realistic I was being. Think I might look into this first.

[edweed]

hey there!

do you still need a new bakerlite gasket as im about to change my mechanical pump over and think i have a spare one!

also, im based in wsm...let me know...

edweed.

[mariner]

Cheers edweed

That could be a very fortunate coincidence! The vans with someone at the mo who was was trying to fashion a homemade replacement today. Haven't spoken to him today so don't know how he's got on with that. Will ring him first thing tomorrow and find out and post again to let you know whether we need it.

Thanks for letting us know.

[mariner]

Hey edweed

If you've got the spare bakerlite piece then I think it'd be a great help this end - there's definitely no guarantee the homemade one is going to work. If you send me a pm with your contact details when you have time then hopefully we can sort something out.

Cheers

John