Treacle in Fuel Pipes

[John042]

Hi all. My Wedge rebuild after 14 dormant years has now turned to the fuel delivery system now that the engine is in place. My first attack was made on the pipes from the tanks, swirl pot and pump. Treacle was what started to drip from the swirl pot pipes followed by a foul smelling liquid.I guess 14 years has decomposed the rubber internal linning of pipes? The ridged pipe from the pump to engine fuel filter seems clear. So initial examination; is the swirl pot, accumulator and pump contaminated? The pump,when a supply is connected appears dead and I believe swirl pots are unobtainable? Any help in a source of supply for these items and pipe sizes please. Thanks John C.

[mrzigazaga]

Hi John

I hate to say it but mine were all shot and i had treacle in my fuel filter in the engine bay...I didn't have a swirl pot on Delilah..Anything that has had fuel going through it will be contaminated but by varying degrees...The amount of fuel in these components will determine the level of contamination...i:e Tanks and swirl pots will have the most while WUR and injectors will have the least...The graduation will be between the accumulator and the metering unit...There is another problem that is caused by the degradation of fuel and that is water contamination...This then causes rust in things like the metering unit...The fine mesh rots and clogs..The reality is that Delilah sat for 11 years and i had to replace everything from one of the tanks to the injectors...Which was not cheap but i only paid £1500 for her as a non-runner so if i had just sorted out the fuel system it would of cost me around £1500 inc a new tank which someone just happened to have...So 3K for a fair condition 1982 280i DHC is not that bad...The other 6k was in pursuit of power and replacing most of the runner gear and brake upgrades...

You can buy swirl pots from any of these guys..RT at the bottom being the cheapest.
ML Performance
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=...
ACT
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=...
RT
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-TASMIN-280-350-400SE...

If you decide to change all the other bits then i can forward you someones details who can refurbish all of it..Properly.

Hoses i cannot remember unfortunately but you can always use the old ones as templates..Just note down what and where you took them off of...

Cheers

Ziga

[John042]

Thanks Ziga. Deep joy or what. So far I've attacked the back, fuel tanks look clean with endscope, the pot, accumulator and pump further investigation. From what I can tell it's the pipes that have degraded internally, probably knacker the pot, pump and accumulator. The engine bay filter had no evidence of threacle and blowing through the ridged plastic pipe from pump to filter didn't produce any cr*p. Incidentally do these pumps have to have liquid in them before they function? I might be scrapping my pump prematurely? I have to say the treacle seemed to be confined to the swirl pot pipes. Anyway just a matter of working through the system. Thanks again for the links, credit card at the ready. Someone on the forum lost their Wedge due to fire and has promised a root through his boxes so I might be lucky. Cheers John C.

[mrzigazaga]

Hi mate...The pump definitely need fluid in it but you would hear it buzzing if it was working..Although it would burn out in a short period of time with no petrol..Also they only run when you crank the engine...You can by-pass it by removing the green plug on the metering unit and then when you switch it to position 1 on the ignition it should run.

Are you talking about needing the plastic pipes?....I was having a look for someone else as i had some but think i may have put them in the garage...I can still get odd ones from Clive...Ziga

[John042]

Thanks for the offer Ziga, pipes are no problem, work will supply. I've had the pump out and connected 12v straight onto the pump conections. No bussing etc. Someone did remark that some pumps need fluid to operate to prevent burning out if run dry? I'm expecting problems with the metering unit/injectors given the time factor and your experience. Cheers John C.

[mrzigazaga]

As said mate i would bite the bullet and get the metering head rebuilt and possibly have the injectors rebuilt although they are the last point and are fairly easy to replace..I have an old set that would need refurbing if you want them.

Use this guy...His name is Steve...Tell him that i recommended you..He can't really do discount but he is not massively expensive but most of all has a hell of a lot of experience with K-Jetronic's..And does it correctly.

He will need an exchange metering unit...I think i might have one but have a chat with him as he is extremely helpful...
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=...
He can also rebuild the WUR...And supply pumps and accumulators...Not sure he can get the injectors anymore though...I should ring him for a chat really...Ziga

Actually looking at his AAD pic the larger one looks identical to the AAV on the 350i....

[John042]

Thanks Ziga for the contact. I will give him a ring and take his advice. Info' most welcome and appreciated. Cheers John C.

[John042]

Thanks Ziga for the contact. I will give him a ring and take his advice. Info' most welcome and appreciated. Cheers John C.