I have a VE pump but its not on the cummins its on the the rabbit. I'm having some trouble and I figure this is the place that knows the pump best. I was driving the car last week and while accelerating away from a stop sign about 25 mph the car made a loud knocking noise and then quit. I thought the timing belt broke but it didn't and all that appears fine. I could not get it restarted so I towed it home. I was doing some work on it today and here is what I got. I got the car to start and run but it seems to be lacking power and cuts out at random. The car will not idle. The RPM varies at a steady throttle setting. if I push the pedal to the floor the it starts surging and then quits after about 10seconds.
I noticed the pump is leaking at the throttle shaft and at cover. Almost a running leak. could this be causing the above problems? I changed the filter and filled up the tank just to make sure I was not out of fuel(happened before).

 

If nobody can help you here check this place out:

http://www.vwdieselparts.com/forum/

JP.

 

The VE has to pull its own fuel from the tank on a VW, so make sure the fuel system is tight on the suction side.

A leaking throttle shaft won't cause any running problems unless it's a real gusher. However - make sure the return line and the restriction on the pump (looks like a banjo bolt, above the power screw) is not blocked.