Author Topic: Rebuilt pump from Pete Rothenbacher/www.injection-pump.com (Read 8304 times)

KTMAuto · « **on:** June 26, 2008, 08:02:52 am »

I have been buy misc. parts from Pete for injection pumps. The rebuild kits have been shipped promptly, as well as cam plates, seals and other misc. parts. So... I recommended the site to one of my customers looking for a IP. The pump arrived today. The pump is dirty, has no return banjo bolt in it, the anti chug screws are turned all the way, preventing the advance lever from moving more than a 1/4 inch. The sealing washer on the 3 sided bolts is way used. It is over tighten and mashed out the sides. The pump numbers are ground off. No idea what size pump it is. The throttle throw is very minimal and differnent then I've seen on any of the 12 pumps on my shelf.
Questions I have are:
Can the internal pump pressure be set correctly if I use any return restricted banjo?
Should I just install it, see what happens?
I called and they explained that they only respond to e-mails?
Has anyone else bought an IP from them?
Is there a better source that I can recommend next time.

Just a local vw diesel/wvo mechanic striving for perfection, anything else is unacceptable.

jtanguay · « **Reply #1 on:** June 26, 2008, 11:03:56 am »

I wonder if they set the internal pump pressure there... Pete should be on top of those rebuilds... otherwise nobody will be purchasing them anymore. unless you have the equipment to test internal pressure, i would just put the pump on and hope for the best. it will either work right, or it won't. if it doesn't, then it'll have to be sent back.

i think cleaning the pump is essential with every rebuild. if any dirt gets inside the pump, it could seriously do some damage. then again it would increase the price of the pump rebuild... which some people are probably not so willing to pay, and that is understandable.

gigaz2 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 26, 2008, 11:51:35 am »

I can't understand how can anybody rebuild a dirty pump without washing it first.

but you also only need to clean it to the point that nothing will interfere to the job. ( has to be pretty damn clean)

KTMAuto · « **Reply #3 on:** June 26, 2008, 12:06:32 pm »

The problem is that it is a customers car. I don't like to gamble their money. If it was mine I would adjust the anti chug lever, get the cold start lever working, change some of the copper crush washers, install pump. Then check pump pressure with gauge on drilled out fitting(Designed from this forum). But will this guy refund my customers money after I tinker with the pump. Should of built it myself... tried to save customer money Oh well. Live and learn and don't buy IP's from www.injection-pump.com/

It always boils down to no one knows ***!

KTMAuto · « **Reply #4 on:** June 26, 2008, 01:22:13 pm »

Just got off the phone with [email protected]. He has been so good to me. Why I tried someone new was just stupid. Jack has hooked me up with pistons, mad head work many times, bearings, rod bushings and some misc used parts. He has been at it since the early 80's and all he does is VW diesels. Jack is the man. He said when you buy a pump from him, it is rebuilt, and it looks it. Must retract statement about no one knowing ***. He is on it!

theman53 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 26, 2008, 05:59:40 pm »

I bought a pump from Pete as well...and some pistons for my na that I haven't used. The pump came back with a tag on it that said idle set at 200rpm@12" and wot set @ 28"... or something like that. It was dirty, very dirty it hadn't been cleaned at all since I shipped it. It didn't have a fuel advance cable holder or the plate that holds the accelarator cable and the tag on it also said ready to ship. That being said he never said it would be cleaned, but that it would be rebuilt and run. My car doesn't run but I think it is a compression problem now. not his pump

I won't buy another pump just because it took me 3 weeks to get stuff after I first contacted him that things were missing. It is worth the extra couple hundred dollars to me to not have to worry and keep doing it over and over. And to be able to get a responce the same day or week that something is comming or that he would replace or something at all. If his communication was better it wouldn't have been so bad, but when you add it all up YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!

CoolAirVw · « **Reply #6 on:** June 26, 2008, 06:18:11 pm »

Oh, Pete Rothenbacher = Prothe

Same as www.volkswaparts.com

For the cost of one can of brake clean he could clean those pumps and make the job "seem" alot more professional. Although on the following page from his site he says that he doesn't clean the outside.
http://www.injection-pump.com/86-92TurboPump.htm

.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #7 on:** June 26, 2008, 07:17:33 pm »

if you don't clean the outside of the pump, you probably also aren't cleaning the insides, which will significantly shorten the life of the pump because you will[/i] get dirt in it. That's if it even works to begin with.

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #8 on:** June 26, 2008, 09:07:13 pm »

The Internet is a small space.... is this the same story from a different angle:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3905806

myke_w · « **Reply #9 on:** June 27, 2008, 03:22:46 am »

Quote from: "KTMAuto"

The problem is that it is a customers car. I don't like to gamble their money. If it was mine I would adjust the anti chug lever, get the cold start lever working, change some of the copper crush washers, install pump. Then check pump pressure with gauge on drilled out fitting(Designed from this forum). But will this guy refund my customers money after I tinker with the pump. Should of built it myself... tried to save customer money Oh well. Live and learn and don't buy IP's from www.injection-pump.com/

It always boils down to no one knows ***!

I've had the exact experience and on a customer car too - so I know exactly where you're coming from. I expected what I saw on the site - a nice clean pump - and got a filthy pump with a big piece of greasy dirt in the inlet. :roll:

In running a shop and relying on a lot of other people's work to get my job done, I've too found that accountability and high quality of work are almost impossible to find anymore. sad really. have to basically do everything yourself to make sure it's done right.

jtanguay · « **Reply #10 on:** June 27, 2008, 04:24:24 am »

i sure hope he's not scamming people... although when you get one of his pumps and it leaks, well... since they are 'tested' and 'calibrated' they must not have leaked on his bench? Pete must be reading this thread... and should respond (and get this sorted out), otherwise nobody will buy his rebuilt pumps and his reputation will go down the toilet, if it hasn't already.

this is sort of sketchy... it looks like a prothe auction, but not sure..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VW-Diesel-Fuel-Injection-Pump-Resealed_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em14Q2el1318QQhashZitem250262196997QQitemZ250262196997

Quote

I can only guarantee the pump to perform the same as when you removed it from the engine (if it didn't run well when you removed it, it will run the same when you reinstall it). Again, this option is for those who have pump that is functioning well (other than leaking fuel) who would prefer to save a substantial amount of money (a remanufactured or new pump can cost between $500 and $1200). I do guarantee the pump not to leak for one year. I am a Diesel Fuel injection technician with over 25 years of experience rebuilding Diesel fuel injection pumps. If you would like to talk to me in person please call me at 980-241-1171(please leave a message if you get my voicemail). Thanks for your interest, please contact me if you have any questions.

that is from the ebay ad. how can you say that the pump will perform the same as when you removed it from the engine? so the resealed pump i'm buying will perform the same as my leaking, worn pump? :lol: i bet i'll get the same mileage right??? damn some people aren't running on all cyl's!!!

these guy's look like they're going to rebuild your pump, and make sure that it at LEAST stops leaking!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VW-Diesel-injection-injector-pump-rebuilding-service_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em14Q2el1318QQhashZitem230264932952QQitemZ230264932952

and about the cleaning, i don't think it's the cost of the spray can, but rather the time & attention to detail required. Giles' pumps look immaculate, and i'm glad i got him to do my pump. if the pumps look that good on the outside, the inside must be just as good, and much care was taken in rebuilding it the right way.

IMO one would be best off to buy some of the parts from Prothe's website and do it themselves. block off all inlet/outlets and wire brush the pump as best as possible to get most of the crap off, especially between two sealing pieces, then follow the rebuild instructions from the FAQ (translated from french). you'll save money, but probably not time :lol:

myke_w · « **Reply #11 on:** June 27, 2008, 05:19:07 am »

Pete's not scamming, he's just resealing the pumps - nothing more (including cleaning), no bushing replacement or any other hard parts that make sense to do while it's apart.

It doesn't add much time at all to clean the pump, it also makes the job easier if all the dirt is off. In fact I'm frankly surprised he's still not washing them, considering the trouble it must cause him in customer service - especially since the pump he shows on his eBay ad is nice and clean.

This all reminds me of the saying on the wall of my shop.

"The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten"

rallydiesel · « **Reply #12 on:** June 27, 2008, 07:58:14 am »

I would never buy a "resealed" pump off him. I would however, buy parts from him (assuming I the job didn't require a high quality part). The pump should NEVER be opened without thoroughly cleaning the outside of the pump.

:?

RabbitGTDguy · « **Reply #13 on:** June 27, 2008, 08:58:52 am »

Interesting thread....has this made it to buyer/seller feedback?

jimfoo · « **Reply #14 on:** June 27, 2008, 09:03:34 am »

I must say I used cans of cleaner on my pump before I touched it, and still worry about getting anything in it. Hard to get it "Giles clean" without sandblasting, and that would make me worry about me getting sand in it, though I'm sure Giles knows how to seal them up good. Yeah, I'd worry about a dirty re-sealed pump too.
As far as Prothe's parts, my head still seemed fine. While the cam plate was galled somewhat, I can't say if it happened from my engine running away(most likely) or was happening before as I didn't take the pump apart before then. But the stock rollers also had heat marks on them, which seems like it would have come from excess speed/friction from when it ran away.