I thought I had the vapor lock beast conquered but it reared its ugly head last night on the way home.
I was blasting up the Mt Rose highway (3rd gear - 35 mph - line of honking cars behind me) when it went chuga-chuga-dead.
Disconnected the fuel line at the carb, pumped lever on the fuel pump furiously (1st degree burn blister covering my left index finder tip) and no fuel coming out. Poured some fuel into the fuel line, pumped some more. Nope. Started it up and it ran for 30 seconds or so and died again. Repeated this several times. Then I did the Hokey-Pokey (thinking that's what it's all about). Nadda. This is a new fuel pump. I said something like "fiddle-sticks".
After about the fifth iteration it started and stayed running and I made it home.
That is it. I'm getting an electric fuel pump and I will mount it low on the frame near the fuel tank optimizing the siphon for the fuel pump intake. I'm getting stainless braided fuel line which I will run as far away from the engine heat as possible. I will then remove the mechanical fuel pump (I have evil plans for its demise) and I will fashion a plate to cover the hole it leaves behind.
I will report the results.
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After trying just about everything to combat VL symptoms... I found the best solution was also the easiest. I simply sought out and filled up with pure (non-ethanol) gasoline. Adding Ethanol to gas significantly lowers the temperature at which fuel turns to vapor.
If you're not already a Pure Gas convert... try it. I haven't looked back. There's a nice little app (free) that maps out gas stations selling pure gas - all based off of your GPS. Just look up "Pure Gas" in your app store of choice.Leave a comment:
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Why vapor lock now?!
Have had my 64 IIa 2.25 petrol up and running great for two seasons now. All of a sudden, vapor lock. I've done all the routine (near daily) maintenance including fuel filter. Mech pump seems to be working. No changes at all to my set up. Why am I experiencing vapor lock now and what is best fix? New pump? Switch to electric pump?
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