034 Drop in Bosch 044 Fuel pump cutting out - vapor lock?

[1thenaton1]

I took a long road trip last weekend from SLC to Denver. It was HOT, over 100 for much of the drive. On the way back the car stuttered and lost power. I limped over to the side of the highway 100 miles from nowhere and looked the car over. Nothing glaring. After about 5 minutes the car started back up and I drove for an hour or so, and the same thing happened. Lost all power and the engine died. This continued happening every hour or so for the next 6 hours. Each time it would start up after about 5-10 minutes off.

The fuel pump usually makes a pretty audible wine. But before cutting out, this wine would turn to a kind of purging sound every few seconds, and then the engine would die.

I just had this kit installed 6 months ago along with a fresh fuel filter.

I brought the car in to my local shop here in SLC as soon as I got back. They ran a gauge on the fuel system at idle and driving and said the fuel pressure was normal and observed no problems. I picked the car up today after 4 days and it happened again to me on the way home.

Any insight? Possible I got a bunk 044 pump, or that it was installed incorrectly?

Thanks

[Austonwerner4]

I read that someone on the Camp Allroad trip had the same issue with their fuel due to it being over 100*.
Not sure what he did to fix the issue but does it happen when it's cooler out?

[1thenaton1]

Hasn't been a problem before now but also haven't seen sustained 100 degree temps here since install earlier this year. Thanks for the reply please link to that campallroad experience if you can

[Zba]

If I recall correctly it was user CJ with the Santorin K24 sedan

[1thenaton1]

Bump

[spennerus]

Had the exact same issue a couple years ago with an Aeromotive fuel pump. Switched to an AEM one with an 034 billet bracket and haven't had problems since.

Took me a while to figure out because it would only die on hot days or long drives. And the fuel pump was less than a year old at the time so I wasn't even considering that the fuel pump was the problem. My guess is I either I got a bad pump, or it slipped down and was resting on the bottom of the tank. When I installed the AEM pump I used the 034 bracket to make sure it was held in place well, the first pump I just used the foam sleeve. I did try adjusting the old pump up in the basket before replacing it, but I'm guessing after it overheated a few times it was toast, as it seemed to happen easier and easier every time.

Is your pump held in place well with a proper bracket? If so you'll probably just have to replace it, it sounds like you know what the problem is. Or keep your fuel tank close to full may help keep the fuel cooler :)

[1thenaton1]

Bump. I had the Bosch 044 replaced under warranty last year by 034 and it ran fine until today. It was about 90 degrees and sunny in stop and go traffic and the whine stopped, battery light came on and the car died. I was able to start it back up again after letting it cool down.
This upgrade kinda seems like a downgrade

[vavJETTAw36]

Bump. I had the Bosch 044 replaced under warranty last year by 034 and it ran fine until today. It was about 90 degrees and sunny in stop and go traffic and the whine stopped, battery light came on and the car died. I was able to start it back up again after letting it cool down.
This upgrade kinda seems like a downgrade

Battery light came of because your pump died? Lol


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[1thenaton1]

Battery light came of because your pump died? Lol


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Sick burn! I listed the order of events, you added the "because"

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[vavJETTAw36]

Sick burn! I listed the order of events, you added the "because"

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"This upgrade kinda seems like a downgrade". Now that's a sick burn!

Point is, how can you know it's the pump if your battery light came on prior to the car stalling? Battery light indicates low voltage. You typically do not get a low voltage warning when a fuel pump dies, so the pump coming to a halt is more than likely a symptom of overheating alternator.


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[james 408]

So it sounds like it stalled...

it's possible there's a short in the wiring for the pump...
it's possible it's because the part wasn't installed correctly because the gap on the pickup is a manual adjustment on setup (although more likely a problem under high fuel draw).
it's also possible the problem is completely unrelated to the pump - be it wiring or some other issue.

obviously check codes first, try to replicate the issue, and move on from there. Ordinarily I'd suggest you return to the shop that installed it... but... I can't in good conscience recommend that in this case.

[1thenaton1]

Point is, how can you know it's the pump if your battery light came on prior to the car stalling? Battery light indicates low voltage. You typically do not get a low voltage warning when a fuel pump dies, so the pump coming to a halt is more than likely a symptom of overheating alternator.


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There we go, now we talkin. Thanks for that reply. I haven't heard of an alternator overheating but maybe that is the case.
In the first instance last summer, it was def the fuel pump because you could hear it prime with turning the key for power if it was going to start. If it didn't start, the pump didn't prime w key on.

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[edit 5/27/17]
Alternator tested fine. If pump dies again I'll bring it back to the shop who installed it to check for wiring issues

Shop replaced pump for the 2nd time, also replaced the blue top piece of the fuel pump assembly as they said it may not have been conducting properly. Shop says they thoroughly tested new (3rd) Bosch pump outside of car before installing it

[1thenaton1]

Bumping this for the 3rd year in a row and my 3rd Bosch 044 pump from 034 to fail in hot weather. Fuck this thing. Trying a Walbro 450 next.

[vavJETTAw36]

Bumping this for the 3rd year in a row and my 3rd Bosch 044 pump from 034 to fail in hot weather. Fuck this thing. Trying a Walbro 450 next.

It would have never gotten to the third time before I would have switched. You’ll be happy with a 450. It’s much quieter too.


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[CELison]

I’m on my 3rd 450. First two died in 6k miles. They wouldn’t fail completely. The car would just lean out. New pump, fixed. Couple thousand miles later, same bullshit.

[christianb5s4]

I have ran an 044 pump for 5 years and 20K miles on setups from stage 2, stage 3 and stage 3+ in all kinds of conditions (below freezing to 120 degree temps). Additionally, I ran it with both 91 and E85 and never had issues. The only reason I switched to a v274 450 pump is because a single 044 was incapable of keeping up with my build.

Personally, I (and others) think the 044 is a better build quality vs. the 450s. But 044 runs out of flow eventually.

[1thenaton1]

I’m on my 3rd 450. First two died in 6k miles. They wouldn’t fail completely. The car would just lean out. New pump, fixed. Couple thousand miles later, same bullshit.

How did you determine? Seeing in logs or so badly it was throwing codes

[CELison]

Wideband gauge.

[killerkali]

Get something more modern, IE a walbro 450. Had 2 044's fail on me. Still on my same 450 now after 3 years on E85

[zillarob]

Is that extra pipe thing in there over the basket and the orings for the return line on the cap good so fuel returns there?
I cant remember what it was exactly, but a buddy had some weirdness in this area with similar symptoms.
Like it would somehow drain the basket and starve the pump faster than it could refill on its own or something. He fixed that oring and/or hung that little snoot back over the basket and gtg.

[NOTORIOUS VR]

How many people on here with failed upgraded pumps are trying to run them on the pathetic stock/OEM wiring?

[CELison]

How many people on here with failed upgraded pumps are trying to run them on the pathetic stock/OEM wiring?

Not I. 10awg from the battery to the pump itself.

[NOTORIOUS VR]

Not I. 10awg from the battery to the pump itself.

Just curious since the Walbros pull a lot of amps.

[CELison]

Just curious since the Walbros pull a lot of amps.

I don't know what the deal is. I put in a 274 version this time. We'll see. I always keep an eye on my wideband in the upper gears because I'm paranoid now.

[zillarob]

Just curious since the Walbros pull a lot of amps.

I see one stg3 that is doing just fine like that.

[1thenaton1]

I'll report back once I swap this Walbro in, I am not sure if the shop used stock wiring on the 044 or what. 034 install instructions suggest stock wiring with upgraded ring terminals
https://store.034motorsport.com/blog...-installation/

[NOTORIOUS VR]

I see one stg3 that is doing just fine like that.

like what? OE wiring? Yes it can be done, but you're putting a lot of strain on the wiring, and holding back the pump.

[zillarob]

You didnt ask if it was a good idea, you asked how many were

I agree though, any build that required something like a 450 should also get the wiring addressed.

[christianb5s4]

I'm running a 274 450 through stock wiring, no issues although it's supplemented by methanol injection on my car. So far there are no indicators the fueling is nearing its limits, but direct wiring is not a bad idea.

[vavJETTAw36]

Been running a 450 on upgraded wiring but factory lines.

No issues but 5k miles/10 months


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