I was reading the EJ20 not running right post, and read that the LP pump was the problem. I have a tip for LP pump users, as usually a tip that came about by doing it the wrong way myself first. So, do you have LP pump problems?

Well, what sort of low pressure pump are you using?

If your using a facet pump (or most pumps) then you will need a strainer prior to the fuel pump. In a stock beetle tank there is a small strainer attached to the fuel pick-up inside the tank.

When people do conversions they usually remove that stock strainer because they weld bigger fuel outlets into the tank. They figure they don't need the strainer because they will run better filters elsewhere.

But the pump doesn't like that. Especially the facet pump. The facet pump is a solid state coil with a magnet that moves back and forth in a steel cylinder, pushing fuel past a check valve with each stroke. Dirt will pass through the pump with no real problems, but small rust flakes from the fuel tank won't. The flakes will stick to the magnet which moves back and forth, and will actually get stuck between the magnet and the cylinder bore. This makes the pump start working temporarily, on and off as it pushes some flakes away only to get jammed again later. You can fix the pump by pulling it apart and cleaning the rust flakes and particles out the way.

The prevention however is to put a strainer prior to the fuel pump as the factory did.

You don't want a filter filter, like a cardboard filter, as a filter will catch the real fine particles and by doing so causing too much pressure loss for it to be installed prior to a pump.

You want a strainer type filter, a coarser mesh type device. I find the inline glass ones with replaceable, and cleanable meshes to work quite well. The glass lets you see how dirty it is, and if the fuel is flowing.

The standard FI filter used on the Kombi's and later T3's will do the same job. 133 133 511 is the part No. I think.
It has a larger fitting on the outlet for the pump side.

Just out of interest, is the kombi one glass so you can see through it?

The one above is easily rebuildable and cleanable. Plus they aren't very expensive and available at most automotive stores like Autobarn etc.

I am using a standard fuel filter ($5 plastic opaque thingo) in line between the tank outlet and my facet fuel pump. I thought placing a filter there was the obvious thing to do. I have never had an issue with this pump.

Also, another thought. If you are going to the trouble and expense of fitting a great new efi motor (or system) the least you can do is recondition your fuel tank at the same time. POR15 sells a kit to strip, clean and seal the inside of the tank for about $45. It also seals up any pinholes or porrous welds at the same time. This is important for modfied tanks, eg. mine. Seems like cheap insurance to me.

$45 for the POR fuel tank kit!! Where did you buy it from., I paid $99 + S&H.

mmmm, might have a look at that then, getting a strange not firing thing sometimes just after it warms up.

Would the vapour lock problem happen with a stock mechanical style fuel pumps as well? If so does this mean fuel filters should be after the fuel pump and only strainers before?

Brad had some neat fuel filters for sale

Another thing to remember about the paper filters is they block when they get water through them. The paper swells when wet blocking the fuel flow. They are best mounted vertically, in the bottom out the top, this way they catch the water and don’t get the paper get wet.
Even though I don’t run mine on the inlet side anymore (stock mechanical pump, carb motor), when changed regularly I’ve not had problems with them on the inlet side.

I like the idea of using a fuel strainer before the pump. But I'm not a fan of using glass filters or strainers. One rock flicked up of the road can hit the filter, crack the glass, and all of a sudden there's fuel everywhere. Not good. This would be even more likely on an offroad car.

In my opinion every thing in the fuel delivery system should be rubber, metal or impact resistant plastic.

Is there a commonly available plastic strainer? Maybe the stock VW FI filter that 11Cab mentioned would be the go?

The glass one I have is about 4mm thick, it's pretty strong looking. It came with a hard bit of plastic that clips over half of it (mainly to stop the unit unscrewing itself), and you can still see the other half. It gives adequate protection.

If you were real worried you could simply zip-tie a piece of rubber over the filter.