Fuel Check Valve

[FastWoman]

Hi all,

The check valve on my fuel pump has been getting less and less reliable, and it's probably time to replace it. However, these little items are in very short supply, commanding a very high price.

Question 1: Are there any aftermarket sources for this item?

Question 2: Has anyone tried inserting a generic inline check valve, perhaps in the vicinity of the fuel filter? Did that work well? And if you did this, did you insert the valve before the filter (so that any debris from a failed valve would be caught by the filter) or after the filter (so that any pumped debris wouldn't compromise the functioning of the check valve)?

Thanks!

Sarah

[sblake01]

I do know that part number is 17014-N4225. According to Lisa at NissanParts.cc they're NLA through Nissan (you likely knew that already) but I recall that from checking on them about a year ago. I know of no aftermarket sources. Since these are actually Japaneese copies of an actual Bosch fuel pump I wonder if the Bosch check valve would work. I never got into checking that out and I've since sold both cars that would use them. Oem-surplus doesn't have any and Rod's Datsun parts would likely fall into that 'commanding a very high price' scenario you spoke of. If you'd be interested in a proper functioning used one complete with the copper washer, pm me. As far as question #2, I don't see why either scenario wouldn't work but after the filter, to me, is one of those 'why didn't they do it that way in the first place' things.

[FastWoman]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for getting back with me on this. Here's Bosch's check valve. The listing at the top is for the 1978 - 1996 Porsche 928, but the same part number refers to all engines for a multitude of years for both Porsche, Mercedes, VW, BMW, and Audi.

http://www.thepartsbin.com/repsite/bosch~fuel_pump_check_valve~reparts.html

I see on the same web site (links at bottom) that Bosch made check valves for Volvo and Saab, but those have different part numbers.

Do the any of these look like your used one? (BTW, thanks for the offer of the used one, but I hate using used parts unless new ones can't be found.)

I suppose I could pull the check valve and head over to one of the German dealerships to see what they might have that would match.

[FastWoman]

Never mind. I googled the part number you gave me and found my answer on zcar.com:

You can replace the valve with a Nissan part (17014-N4225) which is vastly over priced, or you can replace it with a Bosch/Volvo valve (1 583 386 011) which can be found at any imported parts store, or online, for considerably less. There is a slight difference in appearance, but the function is identical. After all, Bosch invented L-Jetronic, and the Japanese stuff is made under license.

The post was with respect to an '83 ZXT, but with the same part number nonetheless.

Thanks for the part number! That was the key info I needed. (Ain't the Internet wonderful!)

Peace,

Sarah

[sblake01]

Well, like I said, I never got that far in doing the research. It appears to be barbed while the Nissan one if smooth but that shouldn't cause any problem.

Edited October 19, 2009 by sblake01

[FastWoman]

Here it is:

http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exec/product_id/5140/nm/1976_1981_Volvo_240_Fuel_Pump_Check_Valve/category_id/151

Nobody was able to pull it up for me via the Bosch part number, aside from a local import parts specialist. He knew what it was but couldn't get it for me (not in his store or anywhere in his parts network). He wasn't able to cross back to tell me which volvos it fit. So it was back to Google.

Apparently we're in good company with the ubiquitous Volvo 240, 1976 - 1981. I have a couple of check valves on order -- one as a spare.

Unlike the check valves I had previously linked, this check valve has a hose barb on one end. That makes more sense.

Peace,

Sarah

[FastWoman]

Ah, you posted while I was posting. Yes, it looks like it should work fine. I'll post back when I have the thing installed.

Thanks again!

Sarah

[sblake01]

Now, if anyone could just find a less expensive, reliable alternative the the OEM fuel pump......

[TomoHawk]

It should be better to get the check valve with a threaded end to substitute for the original. If not, what would you propose to do to bypass the original one on the fuel pump?

thxZ

[Darrel]

One end is threaded on both check valves. The rsolution isn't very good on the OEM part.

[FastWoman]

Tomo, I'm getting the Volvo part -- substitutes for the OEM Nissan part. Had I gone with an inline check valve, I would have pulled, gutted, and replaced the original check valve (i.e. making it into a nipple with no internal parts).

Hey, how long do these things usually last? The check valve on my '75 model lasted at least to 15 years, at which time the pump died. However, the car was always hard-starting for reasons I didn't understand. (Maybe the check valve was bad?) I replaced the pump with a new Nissan pump, and it lasted me the 5 years until I sold the car.

Anyway, I bought two check valves -- one for a spare. That should probably last me until my pump dies.

[sblake01]

It should be better to get the check valve with a threaded end to substitute for the original. If not, what would you propose to do to bypass the original one on the fuel pump?

thxZ

TomoHawk, we've moved past the bypass idea. The Volvo check valve would be a direct replacement and thus there would be no need to bypass the original. Plus the Volvo valve costs considerably less, as little as $9.95 on a couple of the websites I looked at. Edited October 19, 2009 by sblake01