QuestionQUESTION: I have a bizzare problem in which the gas stops flowing from the fuel tank suddenly. I have already taken the tank out cleaned and red coated it for rust. I thought this would solve my problem but yesterday it happened again. Any suggestions
ANSWER: Bob,
What year Spitfire?
Did you clean the fuel lines all the way back?
Are you still running the original fuel pump or an electric pump?
If you pop the gas cap when it's stopped, does the flow of gas resume?
Let me know some more details.
Cheers,
Jim
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QUESTION: Hey Jim thanks for getting back to me so quickly. The stoppage is right fromt the tank so the lines can not be the problem, I was talking to someone yesterday and they also brought up the gas cap idea, I haven't tried it but if it does flow when it is open what do I do to the breather side of the system? It is a mechanical pump and it seems to work fine??
ANSWER: Bob,
Refresh my memory, what year car are you working on?
If it's an "emissions" version then the fuel cap is supposed to form a seal, the tank gets vented via the carbon canister setup.
If it's an early car there was a provision for venting the tank directly.
So I'm trying to determine what direction to take with the troubleshooting.
Cheers,
Jim
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QUESTION: Jim it is a 73 with the carbon canister but the thing is everytime it happens i remove the line at the filter and blow back and the flow begins so it seems unlikely to be a pressure thing but thats why i am asking you lol
ANSWER: Bob,
It sounds like you still have some junk in the system. When I bought my '73 1500 I installed one of the clear gas filters (glass body with replacable element)so I could see the "stuff" coming out of the tank. And I could judge fuel flow when the car was running.
Just a thought.
Cheers,
Jim
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QUESTION: How I had a radiator place clean out the tank and red-coat it to prohibit anymore rusting. You dont think it could be vapor lock
AnswerI run my Spitfires in the Texas summer and haven't had fuel flow stop from vapor lock. I have had corrosion in the tank gum things up.
Did you remove the fuel pickup before having the tank cleaned? And it's not fun, but you might consider removing the fuel pickup tube again and make sure it's not obstructed.
It's not cheap, but you could consider installing an electric fuel pump right below the tank before the fuel line leaves the trunk. Set it up with a good pressure regulator (no more than 1.5 or 2.0 psi) and with a switch to cut it on if the car stops suddenly.
And don't forget a filter before the pump.
Cheers,
Jim
