Fuelfilter between the tanks? Help!!

[bhardy]

Had the 350i for MOT today and sadly it didn't pass....... Problem is a fuel leak from the metal reservoir between the two tanks. Is this a fuelfilter or does it have another purpose??? Can anyone tell me what it is and what make (form which car) it is. Can it be bypassed if necessary (need the car for zolder next week!!)?

[rus wood]

It's probably a swirl pot - designed to act as a reservoir of fuel if you corner hard when the fuel tank is nearly empty. The worst thing you can do to te fuel pump is to run out of fuel. I don't know who makes it but get in touch with Richard Thorpe. I think you can take it out of circuit (temporarily replace it with a bit of pipe) to pass the MOT and then replace it when you get one.

Russ

[rus wood]

I forgot to add - keep your tank well full and don't corner to hard until you get one.

R

[bluewedge350]

Beware the positioning of the swirl pot. Mine had previously been replaced by a reputable TVR specialist and they zip tied it to one of the chassis diagonals, meaning it was half way up the level of the tank, hence the car ran out of fuel after only 160 miles.

I only found this out after taking the bottom pipe off one of the tanks and got napalmed by half a tank of optimax

J

[bhardy]

Thanks Rus!! But hmmm don't corner to hard at zolder....... Will try to get one as soon as possible, if anyone knows the make let me know! See you at Zolder!!

[redwedge5]

The swirl pot isn't from another make/model of car. A TVR special I think. Just had an aluminium replacement fitted to my wedge by RT.

[rus wood]

RT may be going to Zolder (he often does), get in touch with him and see if he can take one with him so you can fit it in the paddock.

[shpub]

bhardy said:

Thanks Rus!! But hmmm don't corner to hard at zolder....... Will try to get one as soon as possible, if anyone knows the make let me know! See you at Zolder!!

They are made specially for TVR. Demon Tweeks sell similar items but they are not cheap and you may need to do some plumbing. Very early cars didn't have them and suffered fuel starvation as a result when cornering.

[bhardy]

What happens when it does get fuel starvation? Only some holding back or does the engine stop running? How bad is it for the fuel pump when that happens?? Thanks for the replies, think i will give RT a call. Anyone got there telephone number?

[shpub]

It will cause stuttering/engine cutout/lack of power as the mixture leans out. On a track this lack of power can be like lifting off mid corner and could dump you off the circuit.

As the mixture leans out there is a risk of pre-detonation which on highly stressed engine revving away can lead to piston melt down.

The harder the car is driven, the more likely it is too happen, the bigger the risk of something going wrong. Take it sensibly, keep the fuel levels high and you should be OK. Trouble is that is not what happens at Zolder IIRC

RT Racing

www.rtracing.co.uk/2180/frames.php
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]

[rev-erend]

Steve- that web link is under construction !

[shpub]

rev-erend said:

Steve- that web link is under construction !

Click on CONTACTS and all will be revealed...

[york33]

about time he got himself a website

[rus wood]

The other thing that happens when you get fuel starvation is damage to the fuel pump. I was a member of the Rover SD1 Club (until I gave the VDP EFi away) and all the fuel pumps I have ever heard of packing up in TVRs or Rover have been following a recent fuel tank empty. The fuel runs through the centre of the pump and lubricates it.

[350zwelgje]

Can a big (very big low fuel pressure) fuel filter be used temporarily?
The swirl pot it is normally gravity fed, but the pump 'pulls' fuel, so a fuel filter could do a bit of a job......
And to pass MOT, just connect the whole lot without anything.

P.S. You probably asked NIMAG, if they had one.

See you at Zolder.

Rob

[bluewedge350]

Hmmm, maybe with a bit of extra plumbing, as most fuel filters I have seen don't have two inlets.

J

[bhardy]

Thanks for the replies! Going to connect the pipes to pass MOT and hope RT can bring one along to Zolder. Bussy doing the other things today, new lower ball joints and left track rod end. Been spending a lot on the wedge lately but many things are sorted now and it is great to drive and look at!!
Done things like:
- suspension incl. poly bushes and koni shocks
- new tyres and 17' borbets
- new fuel pipes
- new roof
- chassis plates
- kickplates
- ECU
- new startermotor
- All front lights new
- New brakes
- carpets