is it possible to replace IP dist. head to pump housing seal on car

[vfr750]

My IP on my 92 NA Golf is leaking at the point where the distributor head joins the pump body.
I was wondering if anyone's had luck with changing the seal without removing the pump or will a crapload of parts fall outta the pump if i try this?
Is there anything i should be careful of when i do this?
Anyone know a good source for the seals in the Mississauga/Toronto area (the Bosch warehouse is 2 minutes away from me, do they sell 'em)

Thanks

[anto]

People have done it and there is a guide to doing it somewhere.
However i would always take the pump off the car in order to change seals.

[arb]

Yes it is possible and if done correctly there is absolutely no risk of damage, but if done incorrectly it can wreck the pump.  I've posted links quite a few times.  Search is your friend.  DON'T USE THE CRUSTY CRANK OR DIESELGEEK METHODS!!  They don't safeguard against ruining the pump.

Follow Adrew's details exactly and it will work !  I tried to follow his, but as I loosened the 4 cap screws, I let them come out a bit too far and was interrupted by the dinner bell. When I came back out 30 minutes later, the head springs had pushed the head a bit too far off the body and the shaft came out of alignment, so I had to remove the IP completely. Its now waiting a rebuild as I had several spares that were much easier to swap the seals on the bench - this time following his details w/o delays.

[Rabbit on Roids]

i did it once and ruined my pump. had to take it most of the way apart to fix the pump head that i snapped.

[vfr750]

Gonna try libbybapa's method posted here h**p://www.vwdieselparts.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5311 and see how it goes.
What's the difference between seal kit DGK-121 or DGK-126?

[Rabbit on Roids]

oh hell no, i didnt know crap about pumps, took the pump head out, re sealed it, then when i tried putting it back together, i broke the pump head. then after i broke that, the rollers fell out of the cage. so then i took it off, reinstalled the rollers and put a new pump head on it. still works...

[arb]

i did it once and ruined my pump. had to take it most of the way apart to fix the pump head that i snapped.

You didn't keep constant pressure on the plunger, did you?

:-D  I had until dinner time, then it looked like the cast iron head was fused to the aluminum body, not realizing the O-ring was all that was holding it together - thus keeping the constant pressure until it let go. I understood to not even try to put it back together at that point w/o a full tear-down.

[vfr750]

Went to Sharma Diesel in Mississauga to get a seal kit. The guy there told me no need for the kit if all i'm gonna do is replace the o-ring. He gave me the o-ring for free!!! so i figured i'd give him some recognition. BTW he had this smug smirk on his face, and said he doesn't know of anyone who has done the seal replacement on-car successfully without trashing the IP. Soooooooo the gauntlet has been dropped Gonna try and tackle it later this week. Thank God its biking season. At least i can get to work on the ol Honda

[Vincent Waldon]

Clean the outside of your pump well, follow Andrew's instructions slowly and carefully, and then take the old o-ring back to your supplier and tell him to hang it on *his* wall. 

[RabbitJockey]

y.  its not that much work to remove it

[Rabbit on Roids]

just pick up the drivers side of the car and set it on the passenger side. then none of the rollers will fall out of the pump.. lmfao...

[dieselweasel]

BTW he had this smug smirk on his face, and said he doesn't know of anyone who has done the seal replacement on-car successfully without trashing the IP.

FWIW, I bought a distributor head o-ring from Giles and he too was doubtful that I could do the reseal successfully with the pump in-car.  Followed Andrew's instructions and it went off without a hitch. 

[745 turbogreasel]

Thread returns from dead  for great success.
Looks like some of my fuel return geysers need a bit of work.