From: Teddy Pelchat [mailto:epelchat@sc.rr.com]
Sent: Saturday, February 17, 2001 2:14 PM
To: 928
Subject: [928] Re: Car won't start...

Well after much help from the list I believe I have tracked it down.  I
replaced the fuses and fuel filter and it don't help.  I believe the 
external fuel pump is over heating and shutting down.  I don't get the 
High pitched whine when it is working.  This all leads me to the fuel
pump.  Anyone have any other opinions?

Thanks
Teddy



From: Dan [dbrindle@kondratyev.com]
Sent: Saturday, February 17, 2001 11:34 PM
To: 928
Subject: [928] Re: Car won't start...

Teddy,

The pumps can get tired and draw too much current.  The design of the pump
is interesting as the gas passes through the pump motor.  One would be
concerned that a spark will blow up the pump, but liquid gas is fairly
stable that way.  Since the gas passes through the motor it is possible to
use the gas as a lubricant and clean up a noisy pump.  I have had good
success using Marvel Mystery Oil in the gas for this problem.  This will
quiet the pump down a little.

One of the reasons other than age that a pump can fail is contamination.
The tank screen has a life time and rarely gets changes.  Gas is routed from
the tank through the screen to the pump and then to the filter - so any
contamination that can get by the screen ends up hitting the pump -
including little pieces of the screen as it disintegrates.  So before I went
for a new pump I would make sure to change the screen and flush the tank so
you do not repeat the same problem a few miles down the road.

One of the ways I isolate pump problems is to disconnect it from the rest of
the car and power it from a separate source - battery charger or another
battery.  You can also use an amp meter to measure the draw from the pump.

Dan B.