hard start issue

[Phil Rose]

I agree with all of Peter's comments and definitely advise borrowing, 
begging or stealing the pump removal tool. IIRC, it's not terribly 
pricey ($35??) and eliminates a lot of the agony. If your car has 
already been converted to the new-style pump, then there will not be 
any external check valve to replace (it's internal). If you find 
there's already a new-style pump in your tank (it's easy to 
distinguish from the old style) I'd be suspicious that your problem 
might not really be a check valve issue. I suppose those "new" ones 
can fail, but not enough data to know...

If your car has the old style pump (and you have reason to believe 
it's original), then you might want to consider replacing the whole 
pump since you need to do most of the labor to just replace that 
little check valve. Otherwise, the whole job is not to bad except for 
the contortions your body needs to go through. The only tricky part 
of the job (that I recall) is removing the fuel gauge sensor (float) 
and getting it reinstalled correctly.

If you decide/need to install a new-style pump, be aware that it 
requires an adapter and also a slightly shortened hose assembly 
(although some people have been able to re-use the old fuel hose). A 
few years ago some parts suppliers seem to be unaware there was a 
need for an adapter (those might be dealer only?). Without the 
adapter the new pump is not held in a tightly fixed position.

Phil


At 7:08 PM -0500 11/18/10, PeterBergin at aol.com wrote:
>Good luck finding a direct fit pump, as far as I know the style has 
>changed.  If you can get just the check valve it is pretty easy. 
>(make sure  tank
>is near empty)  Had to do my Avant outdoors with a full tank and  a
>  -10 January day.  The correct tool to twist lock the pump helps  allot! 
>But is doable with out it.
>
>Pete


-- 

Phil Rose.....Rochester, NY USA
'06 A3q 3.2 V6 (27K, silver)
'91 200q	(165K, Lago blue)
Gone to Audi Valhalla:
'91 200q   (Tornado red)
'89 100 (Bamboo gold)