Spring is coming - Don't let your Esprit burn to the ground

[Tony K]

Hi everyone,

In the next several weeks, many of us will be waking our Esprits up from their winter hibernation.

If yours is carbureted, especially those of us with non-Turbo cars, after you do your visual check of fluids and belts, do the following:

1)  Check tightness of fuel hose clamps

2)  Check tightness of banjo fittings

3)  Check tightness of screws on underside of carburetor -- four for bottom cover and four for accelerator pump diaphragm of each carb.  If you don't have a short stubby screwdriver, buy one -- it's cheap insurance.   Doesn't hurt to check the top cover while you have screwdriver in hand.

4)   Inspect flexible rubber fuel hoses for cracking or hardening.  If they are more than ten years old or you don't know their age, replace them as a matter of course regardless of how they look and feel.   If you have braided steel hoses, replace them with rubber;  the steel serves no purpose on a low pressure application, and only prevents you from seeing the condition of the rubber underneath.  

5)  Put the key in the ignition and turn to "run" position but DON'T START IT.   Let the fuel pump fill the float bowls, and keep it turned on.

6)  Get out of the car and inspect for leaks/dampness.  Smell for fuel.   Use a small mirror to see where you can't see.

7)  Use a paper towel to pat the underside of the carburetors to test for leaks.  Also by the carb-to-intake O-rings.  Easy to see the wet spots on the towel.   Pull the throttle cable to manipulate the accelerator pumps a couple of times, and pat the underside again.

8 )  If your stock fuel pump is still making the tap-tap-tap-tap-tap noise, keep fuel is continuing to pour somewhere;  find it.  Start by removing the air cleaner.   If not,  step 9. 

9)   Of course you have a fire extinguisher handy, because you know that is essential with old cars.   Start the car and watch.   Let it run a minute or a few. 

10)  Turn off the car and repeat the visual inspection and patting with paper towels.  

 

Assuming the rest of your car is road ready, you are now ready to drive your carbureted Esprit.   Keep an extinguisher in the car.

After you run it up to operating temperature a couple of times, go back on a cool morning and re-check the tightness of the clamps and screws when the car is cold.   

 

Cheers,

Tony K.     

 

[Chillidoggy]

Because if you don't, this can happen...……………………………………………………….

 

 

[Advantage]

Foam party! Woohoo! 

[snowrx]

That photo is too scary, my '85 is BRG w/ gold wheels.💀

But my carbs and distributor are safely in a bin in the garage attic, so that gives me some peace of mind.

[Tony K]

Yes, I was inspired to post this from a pic recently shared on Facebook:

[dclare]

Modern ethanol rich fuels do not mix well with old rubber hoses. All old hoses (especially from pre-2000) should be replaced with new, ethanol resistant ones. If you don't do this and continue to use standard pump fuel you are asking for trouble. Many "super" unleaded fuels such as BP Ultimate do NOT use ethanol, but 95 octane fuels do use up to 5%. 

Here is a great article for reference:

http://www.wheels-alive.co.uk/ethanol-and-classics-dont-mix-our-final-episode-of-three/

[Guest]

Good write up Tony.

Personally, I do steps 5 to 10 on the first start of each new day. RELIGIOUSLY. I have experienced bad fuel leaks twice and it was just luck there was no fire. The most recent was from the banjo bolts. The fiber washers are designed to be used ONCE, so don’t push your luck. I change fuel lines every two years.

[Chillidoggy]

16 hours ago, snowrx said:

That photo is too scary, my '85 is BRG w/ gold wheels.💀

But my carbs and distributor are safely in a bin in the garage attic, so that gives me some peace of mind.

Sent to me by a TLF member who was due to turn up at one of the meetings I had arranged. The car caught fire on his driveway.

As an excuse for a no-show, it was of the best I’d ever seen, though.

[Nelly]

Nice post Tony, thank you.

This has been in the back of my mind as my Esprit is about to go back on the road after a four year period.  I replaced the fuel lines in 2013, and I have a braided hose to the carbs (so no banjo bolts) so I think I have done as much as I can to avoid this, but its still the one thing about early Esprit ownership I am uncomfortable with.  My fear is not so much starting up, but if something was to happen whilst on the move.

I have an extinguisher, and am considering a plumbed in system but I have heard of an incident where a car with this fitted still went up as the system ran out of foam.

Is there any way the distributor can be "insulated" so should a fuel leak develop there is a chance of avoiding the worst or anything else that can be done?

[Jeanvm]

Every 5 years I replace the fuel lines. Previous year I did it and it was necessary because leakes. So better save then sorry.

[Paul Coleman]

The other thing to have is a realistic agreed valuation for the insurance

[Mark Wainwright]

one other thing I heard can cause a fire is a rupture in the oil line to the oil pressure gauge too, probably less likely than a fuel fire, but still worth looking at i guess?

[TpupNomad]

Thanks Tony!

Would like to connect with you by phone or email if you are interested.  I'm in MKE.  Please PM me a good way to get in touch if that's ok.

Roy

[Tony K]

On 05/03/2019 at 12:43, TpupNomad said:

Thanks Tony!

Would like to connect with you by phone or email if you are interested.  I'm in MKE.  Please PM me a good way to get in touch if that's ok.

Roy

Hi Roy,

   Check your messages!

-Tony