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> Advice needed...car keeps vapor locking at Okteenerfest
saigon71
post Sep 23 2016, 02:11 PM
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1974 2056 D-Jet. Fuel pump mounted on firewall in engine bay. A few times over the summer, I experienced vapor lock and plan to move the pump the front of the car this winter. Fuel filter replaced last year and tank is squeaky clean.

Drove 454 miles to Okteenerfest. Stopped for lunch yesterday, it was hot. Fuel pump vapor locked. Waited it out, got back on the road and made it to Banner Elk.

The drive today started off fine...probably went 70 miles or so with no problems before vapor lock set in. A guy at a golf course gave us a spray bottle of water. We sprayed down the pump, car started and we were on our way.

After that, the pump locked up three more times in a span of about 20 miles (even after a two hour lunch break). Each time, the water spray cooled the pump down enough to get the car started again. Our luck was going to run out at some point having a place to pull off, so we cut the drive short and headed back to the hotel.

Other than moving the pump to the front, what's the solution to get me through the weekend and get me home?

I'm in a great place to be having this problem, but wanted to poll the world for additional advice.

Thanks in advance!
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dakotaewing
post Sep 23 2016, 02:30 PM
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Consider insulating the fuel lines in the engine compartment to deflect some of the engine heat. If you have metal fuel lines, they will absorb and heat up the fuel.
Just remember that the reason you have vapor lock is the fuel is too hot...
It will look like crap, but maybe put aluminum foil around the fuel lines pre and post fuel pump?
Maybe cut out a coke can and put around the "hot side" of the fuel pump to deflect heat from the engine ?
Zip ties are your friend in this case -
All would be temporary solutions...
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Elliot Cannon
post Sep 23 2016, 02:41 PM
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Old school way (talkin' fifties here) was to clip one or more clothes pins to the fuel line to act as a heat sink. Or unless you don't know what a clothes pin is, maybe a few of these. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (After removing the plastic). An easy and ugly fix but maybe it'll work.


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Elliot Cannon
post Sep 23 2016, 02:46 PM
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For those of you scratching your heads wondering what that old bastid is talking about, these are clothes pins. Used for holding clothes that are hung up to dry on a clothes line. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)


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saigon71
post Sep 23 2016, 03:30 PM
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Thank you for the responses. I can't wait to move the fuel pump up front and be done with this problem. It was a little scary having the engine die on the mountain passes today. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) I spoke with D-jet experts Lewis and Clay here at the event. They confirmed my fuel pump is fine...it's vapor lock.

I've never had a problem while moving on the highway, regardless of how hot it is. The driving portion of the event is done and it's almost all highway miles home...where airflow will keep it cool enough.

Clay came up with the simplest overall temporary solution that only involved a quick trip to Lowes. If I get vapor locked, turn a can of this upside down and spray the fuel pump to freeze it:

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76-914
post Sep 23 2016, 05:28 PM
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Duct it! Duct Tape, a piece of rubber hose (or one of your rain tray drip tubes) and a medium size funnel. What are the temps/humidity there? BTW, anyone reading this that still thinks 914's don't vapor lock? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif)
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jim_hoyland
post Sep 23 2016, 05:34 PM
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Lay a block of ice across the fuel line; a water bag also works.
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struckn
post Sep 23 2016, 05:43 PM
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I think moving the fuel pump forward should be all you'll need to do, IF you are not experiencing an engine over heating situation.

Check you baffles and anything else that could be blocking air flow for cooling the engine. Might want to tempoarily remove the rain tray to open up the flow of heat out of the engine bay?
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jsh
post Sep 23 2016, 05:46 PM
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Make sure heater hose next to fuel pump is not cracked and heating pump.
Prop open rear hatch with a stiff wire to let some heat out can also healp
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walterolin
post Sep 23 2016, 06:53 PM
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Turn on the heat into the cabin, you'll cook but it will take some of the heat away from the pump. Worked for my 1.7 in times past.
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Elliot Cannon
post Sep 23 2016, 07:29 PM
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If you haven't already, replace the plastic fuel lines in the tunnel. If you move your fuel pump up front, those lines will be carrying a bit more pressure than before.
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turk22
post Sep 23 2016, 07:44 PM
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do you have the air deflectors attached under the car?

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will it help to drive with the engine lid open, to get more cooling air pulled thru the engine bay?
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KELTY360
post Sep 23 2016, 10:31 PM
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QUOTE(Elliot Cannon @ Sep 23 2016, 01:46 PM) *

For those of you scratching your heads wondering what that old bastid is talking about, these are clothes pins. Used for holding clothes that are hung up to dry on a clothes line. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)


What's a clothes line? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

PS: the old bastid is right, clothes pins on the fuel lines work.
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Olympic 914
post Sep 24 2016, 08:48 AM
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I have used a cold can of soda from a vending machine in an emergency. Shake it up, point it at the fuel pump and pop the top. it gets over everything but will cool the pump down.

The spray can you have is probably neater to use..
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Johny Blackstain
post Sep 24 2016, 09:25 AM
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Somewhat OK temporary solution is to go to the grocery store & get some aluminum foil. Wrap the pump & the lines w/ it as a temporary heat shield. Ugly as hell but it should work for a little while & won't catch fire too easily. Good luck m8.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool_shades.gif)
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Toast
post Sep 24 2016, 10:05 AM
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I would recommend reading SLITS blog about his similar problem with his 6.
I had that problem many times in my 4. Relocating the fuel pump and installing steel fuel lines hhelped with that problem. Also getting some type of air flow do the fuel pump would help.
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914-300Hemi
post Sep 25 2016, 09:23 AM
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QUOTE(Elliot Cannon @ Sep 23 2016, 01:46 PM) *

For those of you scratching your heads wondering what that old bastid is talking about, these are clothes pins. Used for holding clothes that are hung up to dry on a clothes line. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)


I did this on my car when it had fuel injection and it looked very strange but it worked like a charm. I had to explain it to everyone.
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Cuda911
post Sep 25 2016, 10:37 PM
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Vapor locked today on the way back from the Porsche Timeline in Lake Arrowhead. It was over 100 in the Inland Empire. Stopped for gas in Temecula and wouldn't start up. Waited 15 to 20 minutes, and it started fine.
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DRPHIL914
post Sep 26 2016, 08:42 AM
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Bob, did you get home o.k. with out vapor lock yesterday?
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saigon71
post Sep 27 2016, 07:28 AM
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Made the 454 mile trip home without any issues. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I'm guessing the ambient temperature was around 65 for most of the drive.

I got a little nervous when traffic slowed to a stop & go crawl on Rt. 81 for about 45 minutes. I watched my oil temps climb to 250, but the fuel pump kept on pumping.

I returned to much cooler weather in PA, so I think I can put off moving the fuel pump up front until winter time.
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