-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Dick Benjamin" <dickb@xxxxxxxxx>
Well, your pressure is low, but that would
not cause the flooding you are experiencing. We can fix the low pressure with a
replacement pump (as I recall, you’ve already done the filters, right?)
But before you spend money to
replace the in-tank pump, If you would stay with us a little bit longer,
I’d like to know the pressure at the output of the Control Fuel Pump
– that’s the one that is plumbed over to the nozzles. Measure
it under the same conditions as you measured the 10 PSI.
When the engine is idling, I’d
expect to see around 20 PSI there. If your pressure is way too high there, that
explains the fuel flowing from all the nozzles and supplying too much
fuel.
The cause of that would likely be a failed
power module, and the thing to test there is the voltage being supplied to the
control fuel pump. If it is getting 12 volts, or near that, the
power module is screwing up badly.
Of course it is your car, and you may well
decide to give up on the original EFI system at this point, I won’t try
to argue you out of it. To me, this would be a shame because you will get a bad
feeling about the system, as many other folks have, and miss the fact that when
these cars are right, they are both delightful to drive and very durable and
reliable.
I have to point out also, these systems
seem to be very sensitive to the exhaust system – people have
reported lots of problems in going away from the factory system. None of
these events has been carefully documented, so I’m shooting in the dark a
bit here, but if it still has the original 3 cats on it, and all the plumbing,
I don’t think it is causing your present trouble. If the exhaust
system has been modified, I can’t guess what if any effect this is having
on the problem. Out here in CA, we don’t dare modify anything in
the exhaust system, because of our smog rules – now back to 1974 cars,
and probably going to stay there.
Dick Benjamin
From:
mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of arbie104@xxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, February 20, 2006
6:47 PM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: IML: 81 Imperial
changeover
I just checked the pressure at the fuel filters. Only getting 10
psi on starting and running! Where do we go from here, or is it time to
put on a carburator and scrap the FI? Also have several holes blown out
in the "Y" pipe. I planned to just use the band style muffler
clamps that summit sells to cover the holes for now. I see a complete
"Y" pipe with cats on each side on e-bay for @$250 with free
shipping. If I go the carb route I can get a whole dual exhaust system
for less than $250. I'll be ok with that in PA because it is 25 years old
and I will be putting antique plates on it...no inspection required!
-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Dick Benjamin" <dickb@xxxxxxxxx>
New fuel pumps are available, and that
would be the way I’d go.
If yours is putting out too much pressure,
it has probably been replaced with an incorrect pump – there was an
incorrect number floating around on the IML a year or so ago and I was guilty
of forwarding it on to some other members.
Hopefully, my correction got noticed by
all who pay attention to these cars, but if it turns out that you have too high
pressure, I will dig out my notes and repost the correct replacement
pump.
I bought one of the incorrect pumps from
NAPA but it turned out that their catalog was in error, stating that it was the
correct pressure; it turned out to be 42 PSI instead of 13!
Guess what, my symptoms were exactly what
you are seeing!
I quickly checked the pressure, and took
it back to NAPA – where I have a very good relationship.
They apologized profusely, and pointed out
that their catalog is not always accurate! After all that work
(dropping the tank, modifying the fuel pickup sock etc.) I had the pleasure of
doing it all over again with the right pump! However, I’ve driven
the car on quite a few long trips since, and it is such a pleasure to drive
that I’ve forgiven everyone. We toured Canada in it last fall, and
it was superbly comfortable, very fast, and averaged over 24 MPG for the trip!
Dick Benjamin
From:
mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of arbie104@xxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2006
12:25 PM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: IML: 81 Imperial
changeover
Have not done that. If it's over 13 psi, would it be best to
replace the fuel pump (assuming I can get a replacement) or would putting a
regulator inline to cut down the pressure be a good fix. Thanks for the
heads up!
-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Dick Benjamin" <dickb@xxxxxxxxx>
Have you measured the pressure at the fuel
filter outlets? This symptom is typical of an in-tank pump putting out
way too much pressure. It should only be generating 13 PSI.
Dick Benjamin
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