[DeTomaso] fuel problem -- resolved (for now)

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

Hi guys,

Having a fuel pressure gauge mounted on the fuel feed at the carburetor is a 
life-saving diagnostic tool, highly recommended!

I fired the car up this morning and was pleased to see that it only 
registered about 1/2 psi.   Pleased because if it had read full pressure, then my 
problem would have been completely diabolical, perhaps some sort of wicked advanced 
vapor lock?

But no matter--the problem was consistent, which makes tackling it easier.   
As a few suggested, rather than starting partway down the line, I elected to 
open the investigation today at the banjo bolt where the fuel line attaches to 
the top of the fuel tank.

Voila!

http://members.aol.com/mikeldrew/BanjoBolt.jpg

As you can see, it was thoroughly plugged up by remnants of the fiber 'sock' 
that is installed at the bottom of the fuel pickup, combined with RTV which 
gave it enough mass to restrict the flow of fuel.

For good measure, I removed the fuel cap to allow for lots of opportunity for 
air to vent, and then I used my air gun with rubber nipple at the end to 
blast some compressed air back down the fuel pickup, in the hopes of dislodging 
anything that might remain therein.

I am going to take the precaution of buying a new banjo bolt and banjo 
washers, and carry them in the car.   The possibility always exists that there is 
more crud in the tank, which could plug up the banjo again, and if I'm fixing it 
on the side of the road in the middle of the night, it would be all too easy 
to drop it into the bowels of the car (like, ahead of the gas tank, between 
gas tank and firewall) and never see it again.   Arming myself with a spare just 
seems like good common sense.

I will probably also take a peek at the fuel filters on the inlets of the 
fuel bowls on the carb, just for grins, but I seriously doubt that any debris 
with this kind of mass could make it past my fuel filter.

And also BTW, those of you who helped me change my fuel pump in the pits at 
Las Vegas last year might be interested to know that I finally took it apart 
last night, and it appears there is nothing wrong with it.   I will probably 
carry that in the car as a spare too....

Mike


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