Thanks. Here's a not so great photo or least potential pain in the ass.



Anyone had issues with Holley fuel regulators? I seem to have a random fuel delivery problem with this unit. The drive in to the show the Bug ran great. On the way home not so good - some spitters in the 20-30 mph range. It ran up the hills OK (50 -60 mph) but not its usual self. The Bug ran fine all last week.

The fuel reg psi gauge works about 2 percent of the time. However, I'm obviously getting fuel - just don't know the flow rate. I ran into a similar problem about a month ago. I readjusted the top allen-head screw and it seemed to clear up the spitter/sputs.

I've noticed a "grind" noise when the ignition is on before I turn the key (doesn't sound like just the pump merely filling the bowls on the carbs). There is also a pulsating noise from the fuel regulator that sounds off to my ear - but I'm a Noob (all mechanical pumps in my previous non-VW rides).

Holley pumps are usually very good, definitely used a lot. I've never had an issue with mine.

Maybe it's a fuel pump issue?

Yeah, it seems more likely the fuel pump could be starting to take a dump on me. On the way home the Bug needed just a little go-pedal help to keep idling at the stoplight. You could heard some small pops in certain rmp ranges.

The regulator gauge is pretty much toast. Holley pumps normally put out a grinding noise typically?

Maybe a clogged idle yet? How was it above 3k rpms?

Brian is running a Holley pump, so he should be able to tell you about any noises.

I checked the idle jets last time this problem came up (looked OK). Could have picked up some crud. The few pops were most pronounced below 3K. The Bug would run above that range, but you could still hear a little "miss" at certain points.

I'll take another look at the idle jets tomorrow.

Sounds like idle jets to me. Could be trash somewhere in the passages, that's happened to me a few times.

I'll check the idle jets again. Any suggestions for "taking out the trash?"

Take it all apart, spray a little bit of carb cleaner through the passages, and blow through with compressed air.

just take the idle jets out and blow them out...but remember to srew them in counting the turns so you will know the setting to start with when you put them back in.....

The holly pumps are pretty noisy, mine make a lot of noise when I turn on the ignition before starting the engine. They are most noisy when there is little to no flow coming out of them, like when both needle and seat valves are closed. It's normal. I also hear a lot of racket from the regulator when the pump is running but before starting the engine, all normal. Those Mr gasket gauges are junk, buy a better one from a speed shop and it will serve you well. Set your fuel pressure at 3 to 3.5 psi.

As said by others, sounds like a clogged idle circuit. you can pinpoint exactly which one it is by pulling spark plug wire one at a time with the engine running. The one that makes no difference in idle speed is the offending cylinder/idle circuit. It's a good idea to pull the carb, there may be junk in the float bowl, it will just get clogged again if you don't get it spotless. The idle jet holes are only like .020" in diameter, so it doesn't take much to clog them...