Failed Fuel Filter Causes Failed Fuel Pump.
Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2022 1:54 pm
in the old days, when an engine didn't t run, the first thing to do was to determine if it is fuel or electrical. Now days, in modern cars, it is always "electrical." When the problem is intermittent, it is a lot more complex to sort out. Several months ago, my truck would hesitate then buck and stumble, and die. Often after a short period of rest, it would start and run fine for a few minutes, then it would occur again. When I would check my fuel pressure gage on my pressure regulator, running a Facet fuel pump, it would read 3.5 psi.
I assumed it was a failing coil. So, put in a new DeBella coil, but in doing so I accidentally shorted my Pertronix, and so had to replace that too. But the problem persisted. So eventually pulled my military Distributor out about 6 times, checking this and that, and found it was a 15 min project to pull it out after removing the cover, turning to TDC, for the re-install. I have a bullet nose stud on the block so reinstalling it was a simple matter of dropping it in, and then running a nut on the stud. Bought an assortment of screwdrivers to make quick work of the cap screws.
But still no Joy, and then when running a test out in the country, on the road by the flat bed driver' house, it stalled again, and when I coasted into his yard, found indeed I had no fuel pressure with my separate fuel pump switch nor with cranking the motor. So I decided to pull the in tank fuel filer, and found it was just a rubber hose with a tiny lawn mower filter stuck on the end, such that it was pushed way up on the hose, leaving perhaps a quarter inch of fine filter for fuel pick up! So sourced a new in-tank SS screen and new cover plate/pick-up/gasket from John B, and worried about how to get the old screws out and then the old gasket off without sparking a fire. I had a gas fire in my TR8 about 40 years ago, nearly died.
Soaked the damaged plate screws in Kroil several days, then crossed my fingers and with the correct Phillps, they came out ok, and the gasket was also easy to remove with plastic scraper. Installed the new filter, and with continued stumbling decided that running my Facet dry had over heated the pump, such that it would run a few minutes, then die without the cooling effect of fuel. When I would start my engine it had fuel, but within a mile or so, it would die.
But I had my truck four times on his flatbed, paid for several weeks parking at his place, then because we were selling and moving about a hundred miles to Columbia, SC, I just did not have time to deal with a questionable drive. So had him flat bed it to my son's place, where I finally had time today to install a new 24V Facet. Started it and idled and revved fine, let it idle for a half hour, pressure 3+ psi and consistent, so I am pretty sure all this is resolved and I can drive the 5 miles over to our new home soon.
All told, with the complexity of our selling and moving, and my new friend the flat bed driver, two Pertronics, two Facets, the total cost of this adventure is about $2000. All because of a two dollar fuel filter the former owner installed, causing then a failed fuel pump.
Here, the troublesome filter and hose. Sadly, now I need to see my truck as we have to place to park it at our new home. hal
I assumed it was a failing coil. So, put in a new DeBella coil, but in doing so I accidentally shorted my Pertronix, and so had to replace that too. But the problem persisted. So eventually pulled my military Distributor out about 6 times, checking this and that, and found it was a 15 min project to pull it out after removing the cover, turning to TDC, for the re-install. I have a bullet nose stud on the block so reinstalling it was a simple matter of dropping it in, and then running a nut on the stud. Bought an assortment of screwdrivers to make quick work of the cap screws.
But still no Joy, and then when running a test out in the country, on the road by the flat bed driver' house, it stalled again, and when I coasted into his yard, found indeed I had no fuel pressure with my separate fuel pump switch nor with cranking the motor. So I decided to pull the in tank fuel filer, and found it was just a rubber hose with a tiny lawn mower filter stuck on the end, such that it was pushed way up on the hose, leaving perhaps a quarter inch of fine filter for fuel pick up! So sourced a new in-tank SS screen and new cover plate/pick-up/gasket from John B, and worried about how to get the old screws out and then the old gasket off without sparking a fire. I had a gas fire in my TR8 about 40 years ago, nearly died.
Soaked the damaged plate screws in Kroil several days, then crossed my fingers and with the correct Phillps, they came out ok, and the gasket was also easy to remove with plastic scraper. Installed the new filter, and with continued stumbling decided that running my Facet dry had over heated the pump, such that it would run a few minutes, then die without the cooling effect of fuel. When I would start my engine it had fuel, but within a mile or so, it would die.
But I had my truck four times on his flatbed, paid for several weeks parking at his place, then because we were selling and moving about a hundred miles to Columbia, SC, I just did not have time to deal with a questionable drive. So had him flat bed it to my son's place, where I finally had time today to install a new 24V Facet. Started it and idled and revved fine, let it idle for a half hour, pressure 3+ psi and consistent, so I am pretty sure all this is resolved and I can drive the 5 miles over to our new home soon.
All told, with the complexity of our selling and moving, and my new friend the flat bed driver, two Pertronics, two Facets, the total cost of this adventure is about $2000. All because of a two dollar fuel filter the former owner installed, causing then a failed fuel pump.
Here, the troublesome filter and hose. Sadly, now I need to see my truck as we have to place to park it at our new home. hal