[T3] Mechanical Fuel Pump Vapor Lock

Jim Adney jadney at vwtype3.org
Wed Jan 22 07:31:12 PST 2014


On 22 Jan 2014 at 6:56, Adam Douglass wrote:

> I have read that type 3 cars are prone to fuel pump vapor lock on hot
> restart. My car does this. It will start fine when hot, but once the
> carbs run out of fuel it will sputter and choke till the fuel pump
> clears itself of the vapor and pumps fuel. 

I'd expect the fuel pump to clear itself quite quickly. Is there any 
possibility that what you are experiencing is that the electric 
chokes are mis-adjusted and have closed a bit in the short time 
they've cooled down? That might give the same symptoms.

> My thoughts were to remove the mechanical pump and go electric. I was
> thinking of putting in a low pressure fuel pump this weekend. Are
> there any other solutions? 

I don't think most carbed Type 3s have this problem, but the solution 
I would suggest would be to install one of those small electric fuel 
pumps under the gas tank, up front. You can even leave the stock pump 
in place if it's not causing other problems. They will run okay in 
series without doubling the fuel pressure.

BUT, for safety's sake, you should also install an impact switch in 
the electrical feed to the new pump, to make sure that the pump won't 
keep running after an accident. IIRC, those are available at NAPA as 
Ford replacements for under $30. Mount it rigidly to the body, under 
the dash, somewhere you can get to it fairly easily to reset it if 
necessary.

-- 
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Jim Adney, jadney at vwtype3.org
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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