White powder in teh fuel tank

[Crippo]

I have tried to search and google this but I can't find any satisfactory answers.
I have a cosworth powered kit car with an intank pump and a high pressure Bosch external. The Bosch failed - I believe through fuel surge so I had a swirl pot fitted. The in tank pump flow rate was tested to be fine. The Swirl pot however seemed to run out of fuel within 150 miles of the new pot and pump being fitted so obviously the in tank pump has some intermittent problem, causing it to provide insufficient fuel to the high pressure pump and swirl pot.
I took my intank pump out and it was covered in white powder that cleaned off quite easily. The tank seems clean apart from some black bits sittingin the bottom , which I believe is normal from conatminated fuel tanks.
The filter sock was covered in a beige sludge which I believe is related to the white powder. the pipes were pretty clean of this contamination. The fuel filter was also covered in the same sludge.
My question is -
Is this normal?
Do I stick the new fuel pump in and change the fuel filter paper. Or is there more I should do?
Thanks for your help

[Pumaracing]

Crippo said:

I have tried to search and google this but I can't find any satisfactory answers.
I have a cosworth powered kit car with an intank pump and a high pressure Bosch external. The Bosch failed - I believe through fuel surge so I had a swirl pot fitted. The in tank pump flow rate was tested to be fine. The Swirl pot however seemed to run out of fuel within 150 miles of the new pot and pump being fitted so obviously the in tank pump has some intermittent problem, causing it to provide insufficient fuel to the high pressure pump and swirl pot.
I took my intank pump out and it was covered in white powder that cleaned off quite easily. The tank seems clean apart from some black bits sittingin the bottom , which I believe is normal from conatminated fuel tanks.
The filter sock was covered in a beige sludge which I believe is related to the white powder. the pipes were pretty clean of this contamination. The fuel filter was also covered in the same sludge.
My question is -
Is this normal?
Do I stick the new fuel pump in and change the fuel filter paper. Or is there more I should do?
Thanks for your help

Is the tank made of aluminium? I suspect this is water contamination corrosion of the aluminium caused by infrequent use and moisture in the fuel.

A little methylated spirits in the fuel keeps any water in solution I believe.

[Crippo]

Yes it is made of aluminium.
There is also some crusting around the filler spout which is more like normal Alloy corrosion.

[stevieturbo]

Is the in tank pump capable of feeding the Bosch pump ?


Oddly, a friend had to clean out his Impreza tank that had sat for a few years. There was a brown sludge at the bottom of it. But it wasnt driven for maybe 3-4 years

No idea how long sitting about is too long.

[Crippo]

Yes it should be it had come off a V8 Mustang according to the previous owner but whilst it could deliver the flow rate and thiswas verified, it couldn't provide the pressure that a Cosworth needs.
However the new pump is a walbro for Rs Escorts capable of 300 l per hour so no problems with that I havnt fired it up yet as i am awaiting new filter element-

[stevieturbo]

Crippo said:

Yes it should be it had come off a V8 Mustang according to the previous owner but whilst it could deliver the flow rate and thiswas verified, it couldn't provide the pressure that a Cosworth needs.
However the new pump is a walbro for Rs Escorts capable of 300 l per hour so no problems with that I havnt fired it up yet as i am awaiting new filter element-

Pretty much any decent efi pump will create all the pressure a cossie needs.

The lift pump ( ie in tank in your case ) is all about flow. And a V8 Mustang could be a pretty low powered engine.

And most Walbros are only 255lph. Only some of the very latest quote higher figures.

How have you the swirl tank plumbed ? Your fuel starvation problem could be down to the sediment in the tank blocking flow. But it sounds like there is also some doubt as to the abilities of each pump. Actually testing flow as installed would be worthwhile

[Crippo]

Filter fitted. Car runs great.
Thanks fo ryour help