1979-1993 & 94 Conv [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Slack bastard that I am, I went a different way than suggested by CMyles and others. After consulting the Book of Bentley, I set out this morning to remove the fuel line beneath the fuel pressure regulator and attached a drain tube via hose clamp in its place. I fashioned a jumper wiring rig ala Bentley (234-4, fig 4) complete with push-button switch in order to remotely control the fuel pump. The tubing was clear plastic and the receptacle was a 5 gal. gas container.
I was astounded at how milky the effluent was running through the disposal tube! At this point I have no idea just what the hell I had added to my tank Sunday night. Thinking the cloudiness might just be emulsified air I tapped about a pint into a mason jar early on and set it on the bench to settle. Within about 5 minutes a discrete layer (maybe 1-2 oz of the 16 in a pint) had formed at the bottom so I kept pumping into the gas can, checking in the same fashion from time to time but ultimately relying on inspection of the effluent in hopes that it would at some point run clear.
I think I drained ~5 gallons of crap before the fuel pump began cavitating and there was no more movement through the waste line-- but it was still as cloudy as at the start. I added a gallon of fresh fuel to the tank... still cloudy. Another gallon... still cloudy but in a curiously different way: it began to run as dirty milk-- not chocolate, which is yummy, but as if there was literally dirt in the circuit. I did the mason jar sampling once again and, sure enough, a discrete layer of 1-2 oz formed quickly at the bottom.
I used the last gallon of fresh gas and kept at it, scavenging new receptacles as needed. At one point I decanted about a half pint of fresh gas from the refilling tank I was using to be sure that it wasn't itself looking crappy-- nope, clear as (orange) glass.
Out of flushing fuel, I went off to suck at the oily tit (i.e., the gas station) for additional fuel. I resumed the task and suddenly, after about an additional gallon or so the line went clear/orange. Hoping that I had purged all that ailed me I buttoned it all back up and, after opening front and back garage doors to vent the fumes, tried to start the car.
She cranked a bit longer than usual but then caught and then coughed. I gave her a second to get her bearings and then went at the start again, she roared to life-- a bit rough at first, but then cleaning out nicely to a smooth idle.
So I guess she's all better now and I'm sincerely sorry to have put her through the ordeal. As noted in the original post, my recollection is that I added maybe a gallon of old and watery fuel-- at most, and likely less. It's now cost me at least 8 hours of deep concern and time away from other tasks that need tending to. So let this serve as a cautionary tale to others who may be tempted to conduct a similar experiment: It's a REALLY bad idea.
Until next time...
Scott
posted by 68.187.92...
, Sat, 15 Jun 2013 08:38:26, Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:53:09, Wed, 12 Jun 2013 06:47:57
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