[Vwdiesel] injection pump problem

[sandy cameron]

OK, here's "The rest of the story":

Most of last week, the IV drip 1 gal container was hanging from the 
hood, containing a mix of 2 bottles of CTC squirrel juice, 1 qt/L of 
ATF, topped up with straight diesel.
Directly plumbed to the inj pmp  inlet and a return from the pump to the 
jug (more on this later).
This was also a diagnostic tool, as the clear lines provided a low 
pressure manometer to watch for signs of pump action.
It also showed that there was no blockage in the pump, as the return 
level quickly rose to the container level.

I ran the engine every day , had already changed out the pressure relief 
valve with no results.

Yesterday, I started it again, and went to clean out the driveway (of 
snow, for you Floridians).
Thinking "I'll let the gallon of fluids thrash around in there and see 
what happens".

After  I finished cleaning the driveway, I  went back to the garage and 
noticed the engine was not running, and there was red stuff all over the 
floor. Grabbed the ever-ready giant bag of kitty litter and spread it 
around. Then went to start the engine again. Evidently, there was still 
some fuel left in the pump, as it started quickly, and spurted more red 
stuff from my lash-up as the pump celebrated its freedom.

In the return line, I had used one of those filter top "T" valves as a 
joiner. It had served for this, as the temperature was low all week, and 
nothing had tried to go back to the jug (no pressure, no hot fuel).

Well, while I was shoveling snow, the vanes came unstuck, hot fuel 
started to recirculate at a good lick, and the little valve obliged by 
opening, releasing the return line contents to spew, fortunately away 
from the engine room, all over the floor.

When the weather warms sufficiently so plastic tubing  can be bent 
without  shattering, I will redesign the entire IV drip system.
(Perhaps using the "T" in an auto-stop feature to divert the contents to 
an alternate container ? ?) :-D

Thanks for the hints, ideas, advice, and condolences.

Sandy