Fuel Smell - Dealer says needs new pump

[5thtonbench]

A while back I had mentioned on here that I was smelling fuel with the top down in the car. I took the car to the dealer, who spent the day with the car and handed it back to me saying they couldnt reproduce the smell and nothing came up on a "fuel system check".

Well, last thursday the car's check engine light came on. I brought the car to the dealer and expressed my dissatisfaction when I was told it was most likely emissions or fuel system related. I had to wait until today to get their answer...

Today I am being told there is a "crack in the fuel pump" which is only remedied apparently by replacement of the entire assembly, some seals and gaskets. Grand total, $760 and change. Something isnt sitting with me on this one.

Any advice or heads up would be appreciated. I have no problem working on my car, and would love to know what the pump assembly goes for. Additionally, I'm being told the pump is all one piece, but its hard for me to conceive that the pump doesnt have some type of housing where the fluid actually passes through. When I posed that question, I was given the response "the crack is in the pump, and that is causing the EVAP leak".

Unfortunately, Im dealing with an Audi customer consultant and not the normal porsche guy who is out of town. What is everyone's feelings on this?

[wvicary]

I would get a second opinion. There are many plastic lines and such that could cause a EVAP leak and I have never seen a "crack in the fuel pump". Hope you get it sorted.

[5thtonbench]

Thanks. I was hoping to get a little more weigh-in on this, but I can understand that its hard without running tests ourselves. I know that this pump can be had for 2 and change, but right now im cursed with a complete lack of time to work on the car. Its frustrating for me because there is so much I CAN work on throughout this car, but determining this problem's legitimacy isnt one of them.

I suppose I will pick it up and take it all the way out to the dealer I originally bought it from and see what they have to say. After talking with them on the phone, they feel its possible but very rare that the housing cracks.

-Ryan

[Tool Pants]

I took this picture at my local dealer 2 years ago. But I can not remember what happened.

[5thtonbench]

I took this picture at my local dealer 2 years ago. But I can not remember what happened.

That looks like it was run over! Anyway, being extremely skeptical that the fuel pump was the culprit, I asked to speak to the technician working on the car. The new (actual) story is that its not the fuel pump at all, but rather the fuel sending unit that mates the hoses to the tank. I've since seen the part which is indeed cracked and I have no doubt that when the tank is full it can leak from this point. I honestly dont know how this crack could have developed over a month's time, but apparently the technician who first worked on my car is no longer with the dealership so no one can provide answers.

I'm not happy, but its not something I can do easily myself even if I had the time. It looks like most of the cost is wrapped up in labor as well, but such is the nature of the beast I suppose.

Once I get the part in hand, I'll take a picture for reference.

Edited August 7, 2007 by 5thtonbench

[5thtonbench]

I took this picture at my local dealer 2 years ago. But I can not remember what happened.

That looks like it was run over! Anyway, being extremely skeptical that the fuel pump was the culprit, I asked to speak to the technician working on the car. The new (actual) story is that its not the fuel pump at all, but rather the fuel sending unit that mates the hoses to the tank. I've since seen the part which is indeed cracked and I have no doubt that when the tank is full it can leak from this point. I honestly dont know how this crack could have developed over a month's time, but apparently the technician who first worked on my car is no longer with the dealership so no one can provide answers.

I'm not happy, but its not something I can do easily myself even if I had the time. It looks like most of the cost is wrapped up in labor as well, but such is the nature of the beast I suppose.

Once I get the part in hand, I'll take a picture for reference.

I've been out of the country for a while so I apologize for not following up. Something of a plastic seal between the tank and the rest of the mounting was apparently cracked. Cost 700 bucks to fix, and suddenly they couldnt come up with the old part either. I was not happy at all, but at least the smell is gone and the error is cleared.