Is my mechanical fuel pump dying?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old January 31st, 2014, 07:20 AM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
cfair's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Northern California
Posts: 1,708
Is my mechanical fuel pump dying?

The car is running fine' but ....

On an olds big block (66 Starfire), when I disconnect the fuel line from the front of my quadrajet, there's no fuel in the line. Both when the engine is warm and cold.

Usually when it's warm, I have to drain a bit of fuel from the line to keep gas from going all over the intake. But on this car, now, there's not much pressure in the fuel line' warm or cold

Is this a sign of a fuel pump on the way out?

The fuel pump is probably 6 or 7 years old and I'm wondering if the rubber diaphragm is weakening.

I have a new spare, just debating whether now is the time to preemptively install it to avoid a roadside repair...

Thanks in advance.
Cf
cfair is offline  
Old January 31st, 2014, 07:24 AM
  #2  
Administrator
 
oldcutlass's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Poteau, Ok
Posts: 40,793
I don't think you have an issue unless there is fuel going into the oil pan, or it's leaking out of the weep hole normally found on the side of the pump. You can put a gauge on your fuel line to ensure you have 5-7#'s of pressure when the engine is running.
oldcutlass is offline  
Old January 31st, 2014, 01:50 PM
  #3  
Registered User
 
mpolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: West Hempstead, New York
Posts: 940
And of course, ...

If the existant pump is one of the era where fuel pumps had the old diaphragms and were not ethanol - gas - compatable, ethonal gas eats the dickens out of the old conventional rubber of the old diaphragms.
Of course, a fuel gauge will, of course, indicate whether you are getting
5 - 7 lbs. of pressure.
If not, go on the pre-emptive strike attack and replace it......
mpolds is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Weaver
General Questions
14
June 12th, 2020 03:28 PM
77oldscuttysb
Small Blocks
24
October 26th, 2012 07:55 PM
real57vetteguy
General Questions
26
October 7th, 2012 08:31 PM
mhouston44
Big Blocks
9
January 3rd, 2012 12:24 PM
navvet
General Discussion
7
March 14th, 2011 03:24 PM



Quick Reply: Is my mechanical fuel pump dying?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:56 PM.