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My car developed a fuel-starve issue at an autocross about a month ago. It had never done it before, but even with a full tank, it would fuel starve coming out of hard turns. On the street, in a straight line, nothing.

I took it to a shop that's really familiar with F-Bodies (although maybe not a lot of thirdgens pass through), and they dropped the tank and found this inside the tank. Basically one hose was going from this widget to the fuel pump, and another hose was coming out the other end. It wasn't secure in the tank, and they suspect that it would flop around interrupting the flow of fuel. They have no idea what it is, so they replaced the hose/widget/hose combination with just a single hose. I just picked the car up yesterday so I haven't autocrossed it to see if it's fixed.

The car was originally carb'ed but has a later TPI L98 in it now. Although it has an extensive autocross history, I'm not sure how much bastardization has gone on with it over the years. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Pat

Its called a fuel pump damper. It goes between the fuel pump and the sending unit. I never liked this setup, seems loose like it might leak, but in 25 yr only had one leak. I have installed hose in place and never an issue. Which hose clamps did they use? Regular worm clamps?

John

I had one of them in a TPI tank when I swapped my previous car from carved to TPI. The fuel pump kit I bought came with a section of straight hose to replace it. I never had an issue like that. However I think that thingy held pressure in the fuel line because my pressure always dropped when I killed the ignition.

I will say I had a similar issue, apparent fuel starvation while on course. But only when the NNJR region switched to Giant Stadium. It only happened there! I used a different gas station for those events, so someone told me to try a different one... and it never happened again. Did you change gas stations recently? Maybe their tanks are dirty?

Chris
This piece is not a check valve. The check valve is built into the top of the fuel pump. I have seen a neat new piece( remote check valve). You can install it in a fuel line. It saves you from having to drop the tank.

John

At this point I've never had trouble with it so why bother. I just key the ignition and wait for the thee second prime to finish then crank it. No big deal to me, but I'll keep that in mind if it ever becomes a problem.

Where did you see this John?

I don't know. Are there hose clamps that should be avoided?

Pat

The regular worn gear type aren't really up to holding EFI fuel pressure. They make others for fuel lines that look similar but have a real nut and bolt instead.

http://www.alertmotorsport.com/Product/SL+...ose+Clamps/1620

The worst part is that it would leak back into the tank if they didn't use the right ones and it would have to get redone. But I'm betting they would still hold 'enough' pressure to drive the car... also betting that it wont be an issue if they used ones from a fuel pump kit.

fuel line pdf

Page 4

John

Chris is correct worm drive clamps really are not the best for High Pressure Fuel line. My issue with them when used inside a fuel tank is that when tightened they tend to cut into the line. Fuel line continually submerged in gasoline will soften the hose and the clamps will loose tension. Worm clamps also have a nasty habit of backing off a little bit. Will they work yeah, just not ideal.

I personally like crimp clamps also called 360 degree seal clamps. Page 7 of the fuel line PDF. I have also used the one Chris posted too.

John

It looks like this was the culprit of my fuel-starve issues. Did two autocrosses this weekend, 12 runs total, and had no issues whatsoever.

Pat

It's also known as a pulsator. I know not my name for it.
It dampens the pulsations of the pump in the supply line.
Also helps isolate the pumps vibrations from the sending unit to curb noise.
I'm up here in Chicagoland area, we have some really crappy fuel. Likely worst & some of the most expensive in the country. So lots of fuel system related failures.
I have seen many of these fail, but they where on the older vortec trucks with the high pressure systems.

I have used the dorman replacements =crap. had them fail with a ruptured inlet or outlet.
Only use delco's for replacement.
Why someone put that in a 3rd gen no idea, never was installed on them OEM.