Changing Fuel Pressure Regulator

[raykinsella]

In a wagon it screws right into the firewall, so it looks like a quick job to put a new one in. But do I have to get on the other side, up under the car, to do something with the fuel line first? Thought I'd check here before I got myself into a mess! If you do have to do something with the fuel line first, how do you get to it in the first place?

[Bill K.]

It's held on with a nut on the front side. Clamp the return line, remove the hoses, loosen the nut, and pull it out of the sheet metal from the engine compartment.

[raykinsella]

Hi Bill,
How do you get to that nut? Do I need to put the car up on a lift? Kirk

[Bill K.]

With safety glasses to keep the crud out of your eyes you can get to it from under the car. Just lift the rear a foot and get an open end wrench on the nut. Or, remove the wheel and get to it from the side. Replace those hoses while you're at it...

[vwfye]

In a wagon it screws right into the firewall, so it looks like a quick job to put a new one in. But do I have to get on the other side, up under the car, to do something with the fuel line first? Thought I'd check here before I got myself into a mess! If you do have to do something with the fuel line first, how do you get to it in the first place?

from the look of your avatar, did you buy Julie's red squareback?

[raykinsella]

Yes, I've been the humble owner of Sparkie for three years now. I have another 412 and a 411 as well, and lots of spare parts and a heated garage, so all my type-4s are well cared for.
Did you know Julie? Have you seen Sparkie before? The only thing I've changed in Sparkie is the oil - and, just now, the fuel pressure regulator. And the usual tune up parts. But she looks and runs great, just as Julie made her. I consider it a great honor to be Sparkie's owner/caretaker. Like I tell people around here, I may be Sparkie's owner, but she'll always be Julie's car.
Her father David contacted me about buying it a few months after Julie died. I took my kids on the train to CA to pick it up and drove her home. David moved back to Pennsylvania, his old home town, where he had Julie buried. I still think of her whenever I drive her car. So sad to have died so young, and for David to lose his only child. We keep in touch, David and I. It comforts him to know Sparkie has a good home. I drive her a couple of times a week year-round, and we've gone on a couple of road trips in the summer months. She runs great and turns heads wherever we go.

[vwfye]

i had the fortune of going on the 2000 berg cruise and spending time in, on and around Sparkie during the trip. it was interesting to see julie fawn over the car every stop.

[raygreenwood]

....When did Julie Die? I missed this. It must have been while Iwas out of teh country....sad . Keep the car alive. Ray

[raykinsella]

She died November 1st, 2004. She had a disease that afflicts the liver of women ages 20-40, there was nothing they could do. She was 33 years old.
Rest assured her beloved Sparkie gets the best care - from me as well as from the help I get here at STF.

[shawn62]

It is interesting you brought up Sparkie. I just found the Feb 2003, VW Trends that has Julie and Sparkie featured in it.

[raykinsella]

Yeah - that's where I first "met" Julie, when I got that issue in the mail. I wrote to the magazine ( a real letter back then ) and they forwarded it to her and she eventually wrote back to me. We kept in touch and finally met up, our two 412s as well. I had no idea she was sick, or that I would become Sparkie's owner. The two 412s live side-by-side in my garage, impeccably cared-for.