Switching off fuel pump before long storage

[abstamaria]

I installed a switch for the electric fuel pump in my Elan, as I thought it useful to switch off the fuel pump in the instances when I have to work with the ignition switch on on.

I also thought it would be useful to be able to turn off the pump and let the engine sputter to a stop, if I weren?t planning to use the car for a while. Is that a good idea?

I just opened up my Webers after a long (ten-year!) lay-up and finally took the Elan for a short drive yesterday, as I recounted in a thread on the car in the Gallery section.

elan-photos-f18/1969-dhc-8439-t21598-15.html

Advice and thoughts will be much appreciated.

Andy

[ardee_selby]

I also thought it would be useful to be able to turn off the pump and let the engine sputter to a stop, if I weren?t planning to use the car for a while. Is that a good idea?

Advice and thoughts will be much appreciated. Andy

Hello Andy,

Some thoughts...depending on what "a while" means.

I think it is a good idea to empty the carbs prior to any lengthy lay-up. Potential for fuel to go "stale" has been discussed on here a few times and the effect it can then have on the fuel system. So what is left in the tank should be considered as well.

The degree of evaporation that can occur in the carbs has also been covered very recently (when re-starting has been a problem after a few days) So...it would eliminate evaporation issues and, more importantly perhaps, what gets left behind in the float chambers.

Hopefully you will get some expert advice. (My experience with fuel left in carbs & degradation has mainly been trying to get a lawnmower running correctly after a winter lay-up)

Regards - Richard

Edit: Have just read your other thread: "After such a long lay-up, all the jets were clogged, and there was thick, gooey muck at the bottom plates of the Webers..." As I suggested...what gets left behind?

[abstamaria]

Thanks very much, Richard. I will try those procedure out and report.

Best,

Andy

[elj221c]

I also thought it would be useful to be able to turn off the pump and let the engine sputter to a stop

Makes for a fairly effective anti theft device too!

It's worked for me before.......

Talking of lawnmowers, my Suffolk Colt manual says to do just that before laying up for winter.

[UAB807F]

Yep, I did the same thing with mine this winter, having had the "brown goo" in the carbs several times before. Unlike the mechanical pump where you would have to churn it over a few times to build up fuel, with an electric pump you just let it tick away for a minute or so.

Just don't forget to switch the pump supply on though.....

[Matt Elan]

Definatly a good idea - on my old British bikes I run the carbs dry if I'm not going to use them for a bit; but thats just a case of turning the petrol tap off with the engine running!

[abstamaria]

Good. I'll do that then.

Many thanks!

Andy

[elancoupe]

Due to the weather around here, my car gets about 6 months of use per year. At the end of each driving season, I perform the same ritual. I warm up the car, then drain the oil. I add the new oil and filter, and run the car briefly. After shutting down, I pull the plugs and put a little oil down each cylinder and rotate the engine a few times, then replace the plugs. The battery is removed, and stored in a warm place for the winter. My fuel cell has no drain plug, so I remove it and drain the fuel, then reinstall. As noted elsewhere, the carb fuel evaporates quickly on its' own.

A side benefit is that nobody is going steal the car by driving it away.

This may seem like too much work, but the payoff is worth it. In the spring, with battery and new fuel in place, the cars starts right up, and is ready to go, with a fresh oil change.

[twincamman]

my experience with fuel cell bladder is to leave it full ---otherwise the rubber deteriorates and its a big expense to replace it I also relieve the tension on the water pump pulley by removing the fan belt to save the water pump bearing and seal. for anti theft remove the coil wire or move to a better area

[elancoupe]

My cell is by Fuel Safe, the manufacturer told me that modern fuel causes the foam to deteriorate, best to drain it when not in use- it's worked for over 20 years.