Anyone Ever Installed a Vaico Fuel Pump?

[Carpenterman]

I wanted to replace my fuel pump on my m180.945 engine but couldn't find a Pierberg which is OEM. So I bought a Vaico brand pump. It looks cheap (and it was cheap) but I figured it would be better than the old one I had on the car.

I installed it today and it leaks a good deal of oil out the weep hole on the bottom of the pump. I verified that it wasn't leaking around the gaskets with a mirror.

So my questions are these: can I plug the weep hole with something to stop the leaking (the car runs fine with this pump), or does the weep hole need to breathe for proper operation of the pump? Should I just take my chances and put the original pump back on, figuring the Vaico is just another crappy aftermarket part?

The main reason I'm replacing the original pump is that gas drains down out of the line when the car sits. It takes 5 or 6 tries to get it started. I figured the check valve in the pump is weak. I'm fully aware of the evaporation problems my Solex carbs have, but this is ridiculous (and hard on the starter).

[Mike D]

The answer is, no, you can not plug the weep hole. The diaphragm is bad/defective and needs to be replaced. Period!

If you plug the weep hole then the gasoline will exit into the crankcase.

If you don't want to deal with another mechanical fuel pump then change to a Carter rotary style and plate the fuel pump opening. Don't piss about about with one of the solenoid style pumps as they are designed as "pusher" pumps and will strain to provide enough fuel under load. Voice of experience.

[Carpenterman]

Thanks for the feedback, Mike D. I know in my heart that you are right about sealing the weep hole. What's weird is that the hole is is on the oil/engine side of the diaphram. Why is so much oil getting into the body of the pump?

I took the time to read posts relating to fuel pumps and others have had this same problem with the Vaico. So it's basically junk.

So my thinking is evolving toward an electrical fuel pump and I see by your older posts that you have used the Carter. Model P4070, right? Is yours still working without the relay?

[Mike D]

I've changed to T.B.I. on the two cars I had the Carter on. I ran the M110 for over a year with no problem. I did install the relay but only after 6 months or so. The relay probably isn't crucial but it's nice to have it supplied with clean power opposed to sharing the circuit with the coil.