Help with a Karmann Ghia fuel issues

Been working on my Dad's Ghia with him (forget the year, 63 I think). The fuel pump was bad (or so we thought) so I got him a new one for father's day last year (and it has been on my ramps since then) and I finally got him to work on it with me the other day.

The problem is it isn't getting fuel to the carb. We can prime the carb and get it to start but no new fuel ever makes it. Right now we have the fuel line off the carb right from the pump (brand new) to see if anything is happening. The fuel filter is new and clear and you can see there is fuel in it. We've blown air through the fuel line and you can hear it in the gas tank bubbling.

When the engine is running (from the primed carb) the fuel filter is empty and once the engine dies fuel slowly bubbles into it.

Any ideas?

 

Some of the older carbs have a fuel cut off solenoid, make sure it's working if it has one, pull the top off the carb and see if the needle valve is stuck in it's seat. If you crank it with the fuel line loose some fuel should come out. Also make sure the filter is on correctly, it may have a check valve in it so fuel only goes one way. Be careful VW's were famous for engine fires.

 

We have checked the fuel filter and it is indeed going the correct way (that was one of my first questions). The fuel line is loose, but no fuel is coming out of it.

I'll ask my dad about the solenoid and needle valve.

 

If your not getting fuel out the line when you crank it I wouldn't mess with the carb, sound like problem with the pump or pick up tube in the tank?

 

The fuel line in a Karmann Ghia runs through the center tunnel and is notorious for getting clogged or even rusted through and is a pain to replace. I have seen many people run a new line underneath the car to replace it. If the fuel filter is in the engine compartment you need to move it,this is often the cause of the engine fires mentioned above. I would also remove the fuel tank and clean it.

 

Did you replace the fuel pump pushrod? The 1963 would have originally used a 108mm pushrod so if you used a 100mm pushrod that could cause your problem.

 

Not sure if he changed the pushrod (and not totally sure of the year, I just know it is early 60s). When we replaced the fuel pump we used the exact same one it had previously. Something to explore for sure. I suggested we run new fuel line, but my frugal father is against that. I need to get a hand held fuel pump and see if we can just get fuel from the tank to the filter.

 

Just because the Fuel Pump is new does not mean it is not bad, several "new" things I have purchased in recent history have been bad right out of the box so it might be worth checking out.

 

I would install a powered fuel pump in the front and a fuel pump blockoff on the block. I ran one that way on my 67 for all the years I owned it. (if the line from front to back is clear) That also helps with fuel pressure to the carb.