Hi Guys,

I've been piecing together my Kombi motor over the last few months and finally got it back in the car (woo hoo!)

You guessed it. Won't start. But I know why! The fuel pump is jiggered.

It's a dual carb kombi with the fuel pump down underneath, near the starter motor. Petrol is going in, nothing is coming out. The pump itself is the type with the screws all around so I can look inside if I want.

I've had the front off it and I can see the diafram move when my mate turns the engine, so I think the push rod's OK. I also measured the rod (140mm exactly) when I had the motor out.

I can get it off no worries (well actually it's a pain, but I can get it off), but my question is, once I've looked at it / played with it / buggered it more / fixed it, can I test that it's working somehow before I put it back in?

u can move the pivot arm(the bit that the rod pushes against) with a finger just by pushing on the arm ,they move pretty easily. If u hook up a line going to a cup of fuel ,u will soon see if the diaphram is ok .I got one at home that looked ok ,but ended up having a split in the large diaphram ,so wouldnt suck fuel through .bad news is apparently theres no kits for these available anymore.but I'm still searching around for one,will try roy at classic and see what he can come up with.

put an elec fuel pump and all your probs will be solved....
2L fuel pumps aree silly money and not worth it

Electric sounds the go to me. I am assuming that I can't just get any old thing and stick it on though. What's the one to go for?

You can buy a universal elec pump from repco/bursons etc. Get the carb model for up to 2L engines, and you can also run a pressure reg such as a holley one to make sure the pressure is right. You can get a 1-5psi reg, and about 3-4psi should be fine for your carbs...
There is usually regs on ebay, might be worth a look.

Did the pump have a heat insulator under it - kinda like a very thick (10-15mm) gasket? If so - did you refit it? These sometimes get forgotten and can throw the actuator geometry out so that the pump no longer functions.

Got the fuel lines on the right way, when i first rebuilt my kombi 2 litre it wouldn't start turned out to be the fuel lines on the wrong way. Damo.

I replaced mine with a Carter rotary mounted on the frame rail near where the stock fuel pump is. I went for the Carter b/c they have a good reputation for being quiet and reliable. Also the model I got doesn't need a separate pressure regulator. You certainly can't hear it when the engine is running. As for reliablity I've only driven with it about 2000km.

Checked the fuel lines were on right. They were (would not have surprised myself if they hadn't been though).


I've had the pump off and with a bit of fidgeting I have it squirting fuel into a jar! It is a Brazilian pump which I am told are not worth a pinch, but it's doing SOMETHING now. We'll see when I stick it back on.