I need a new HPFP (and quick) - any advice?

[heavyd]

Have you not got a local vw dealer?

[bacillus]

Have you not got a local vw dealer?

+1

[Fizman]

Indeed I do. I just would have thought prices would have been far better online. I'll give them a call in the morning anyway and compare to the online equivalent.

[heavyd]

I think I only paid £20 for a cam follower from the dealers the other month?

[Fizman]

Cool, I'll check them out in the morning. I'll be in touch re that HPFP.

[Fizman]

Ok, I'm f**ked by all accounts.

Mechanic rang me this morning. He said my cam shaft has a LOT of damage. The cam follower is completely disintegrated and he said that the  push rod on the HPFP drove into the cam shaft.

In a nut shell, I need a new cam shaft (€237 ex VAT), a new cam follower (€26 ex VAT) and a push rod for the HPFP (apparently the HPFP itself is fine). However, he spoke with the local VW dealer and the push rod cannot be sourced individually, it comes only with the pump itself apparently.

HeavyD.........does your HPFP have it's pump rod in tact? If so I'll take that off you, and as soon as physically possible.

[Fizman]

Guys, just in case HeavyD isn't back online anytime soon..........do any of you know if the pump rod for the HPFP can be sourced on its own??

I need to get the wheels in motion with this thing asap as my mechanic is on hols on Friday and I don't really want my car sitting up while he's away.

[martziniuk]

I would get the pump as a whole kit, if the rod is bust chances are the seal inside has split or deformed. You don't want petrol in your oil as there is more chance this could happen again.

[robdf2]

Ok, I'm f**ked by all accounts.

Mechanic rang me this morning. He said my cam shaft has a LOT of damage. The cam follower is completely disintegrated and he said that the  push rod on the HPFP drove into the cam shaft.

In a nut shell, I need a new cam shaft (€237 ex VAT), a new cam follower (€26 ex VAT) and a push rod for the HPFP (apparently the HPFP itself is fine). However, he spoke with the local VW dealer and the push rod cannot be sourced individually, it comes only with the pump itself apparently.

HeavyD.........does your HPFP have it's pump rod in tact? If so I'll take that off you, and as soon as physically possible.

Not necesaceralry , i was reading a post on the American forums the other day and it says that VW has warranted cam followers up to 120,000 miles , because of so many foller failures and all work if 1 fails is paid by VW.
Would be worth checking out VW customer services mate.

[heavyd]

Contact VW services first then, you might be lucky
Yep, the pump rod only comes with the pump. the one I have is fine. alternatively, there was a pump rod in the for sale section the other week if you want to rake through the for sale section, but then again, if its being running on the cam lobe, I would have thought it would have been running at all sorts of angles so the seal would have been damaged I would have presumed.
Like I said before, if you definitely want it, I can have it sent by royal mail recorded post this afternoon, just let me know.
either PM me or just send me an email

[Fizman]

Right, spoke with VW Ireland today (customer services). The guy made out that he has never even heard the term, cam follower. Surprise surprise. Spoke with him for 10-15 mins and was just going around in circles getting nowhere. Rang three local VW aftersales garages and none of them came across a cam follower issue before. I'm hardly the first Irish case! Wouldn't surprise me.

Anyway, took a spin out to see the car tonight. Mechanic showed where the outer part of the cam shaft (possibly the lobe) was worn from the rod. Am I correct in saying that the follower is a pretty small part? I had imagined a much bigger part going on the pics but if what I had in my hands was the follower it was pretty small. It's 'cap' completely worn too.

Looks like I need a new inlet cam shaft, follower, and pump rod (so essentially a HPFP). I think I'm also going to take the hit with the timing belt and get a full kit (tensioners, water pump, etc). Bad times.

[stealthwolf]

If you do a search for "cam follower", there's pics of what it looks like and what it's like when it wears. Looks like a thimble to me! 

[bacillus]

Sorry to hear of this outcome!   
You should also get your oil changed as there are probably pieces of metal from the perished follower mixed in with your oil.

[Fizman]

Yup a thimble would describe it. Yes, my mechanic said he will do an oil change for this very reason.

[bacillus]

I know that this is an expensive time but do insist that he uses longlife oil (e.g. castrol edge 5w-30) for the refill as apparently poor oil choice may hasten the follower's wear rate amongst other things.