Date: Sun, 14 May 2000 10:56:28 -0400
Reply-To: David Beierl <dbeierl@IBM.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Beierl <dbeierl@IBM.NET>
Subject: Re: HELP! Lack of power at high speeds during cross country trip
In-Reply-To: <001101bfbdb0$794f5800$704bfea9@laptop>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
At 10:27 5/14/2000, Paul Borghese wrote:
>Thanks! Dumb Question? So I can check if the filter is filled by blowing
>through it? I will try it.
Paul, in the light of day I have to say I'm not certain. You could
certainly tell by blowing gasoline through it, but that might be hard on
the gums...prolly best to just replace it (I'm assuming this is the plastic
filter that doesn't cost the earth).
One quick-and-dirty, again assuming it's the plastic filter -- I'd expect
the fuel pump to be making more noise than usual if the filter were clogged.
Another measurement that's easy to do (you *do* carry a 50 psi gauge in
your pocket, right?) is to check the fuel pressure. There's a metal tee in
the fuel line just inboard of the distributor -- the leg that sticks up is
for measuring the pressure. You'll need to get the gauge and a combination
of hose (or hoses) and clamps that will mate the two. Look for about 29
psi at idle, then unhook the vacuum line to the fuel pressure regulator
(small metal canister with two fuel lines and a vacuum line, near
distributor) and look for about 36 psi. The FLAPS should have a suitable
gauge. When you open up the tee a small amount of gas should squirt out, so
be ready to catch it and soak it up. Make sure the tee isn't leaking when
you close it up again, and be sure to hook the vacuum line back up to the
regulator.
>Any ideas how to get the junk out of the fuel tank? I can dump all of the
>fuel out but what about cleaning the tank?
Er...not really. Assuming that's what it is, of course. Ok, two ideas,
both of them assuming you're dropping the tank -- 1) call around for a
tank-cleaning service, 2) [invoking Bulley's Wonka disclaimer here!] flush
the sucker out repeatedly with a hose until all seems well, then rinse it
with successive pints of 91% isopropyl alcohol (drugstore). If you stick a
piece of paper in the drainings, then shake it until the alcohol evaporates
you'll be able to see if it still has water in it (I just tried it with a
20% mixture and the paper was noticeably damp, so I'm confident that if it
can pass that test there won't be enough water left to worry about. But I
don't think it will work if you use 70% isopropyl, too much water already).
Good luck
david
David Beierl - Providence, RI
http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
'84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
'85 GL "Poor Relation"
| 
