Consumer feature: light my re
Petrol power? Our experienced used-car guru warns of potential dangers…
Thanks to my passing decades in the automotive industry, I often look back at experiences and realise how often I have had petrol problems. By this, I mean petrol leaks that could have caused major res. You know the type … you drive past a pile of blackened metal, melting the tar with its tyres still smouldering.
The most recent incident was with my 1970 Fiat 128. I had sorted out the rear brakes and was keen to get it on the road but a quick look under the bonnet showed a fuel leak from the accelerator pump cover. I managed to buy a replacement from a carburettor specialist workshop when the next problem occurred. The fuel pump was leaking so badly, I was concerned it would catch re. This reminded me of a previous experience of another Fiat, an 850 Special. Both these cars use the ubiquitous Weber: a single choke in the case of the 128 (1 100 cm3) and twin choke for the 850 (on the Special).
FIAT ON FIRE
No, not the Fiat Uno FIRE, but a real fire. When I spotted the smoke and flames in the rear-view mirror, the damage was well on its way with melted aluminium and burnt-out wiring looms. The culprit was totally unexpected. The brass pipe that is pressed into the aluminium body of the carburettor had popped out. This seldom happens but, well … it did. Flailing about with assistance from the pump, it sprayed onto the whizzing generator and that was it. One disadvantage with rear engines is the delay in spotting a fire. Sadly, it frequently happens with air-cooled Volkswagens, too.
VW NEARLY ON FIRE
While transporting bridesmaids from the church to the reception in my bay-window Microbus, a fellow motorist pointed to the rear of the bus. I panicked, pulled over and saw petrol dripping all over the road. I had to try and locate the problem while my passengers went in search of alternative transport. I found the Volksie had sprung a leak in the fuel hose between the two Solex carburettors on the opposite side of the flat-four. Instead of cut and paste, it was cut, push and retighten, and I could return to chauffeur duty.
CHEVROLET SHOWDOWN
This happened years before the other events and involved a straight-six Chev Commodore belonging to a friend’s father. It was a reliable car for decades, requiring only basic attention. I was servicing it and, by chance, spotted a fine mist spraying upwards near the engine. Once again, an old fuel pipe was the culprit. It was beginning to perish and a tiny hole could not contain the pressure of the pump. Another near catastrophe was avoided.
MERCEDES-BENZ 230 LEAK
If parts are not available for your mechanical fuel pump, aftermarket units may be obtainable or you can simply remove or disconnect the mechanical pump and fit an electric pump. Many makes are on sale and you can mount them anywhere with a simple 12 V power supply taken from a nearby source. This ensures no fuel makes its way into your sump and dilutes the oil, which is what happened to a W123 Mercedes-benz 230. Petrol was leaking into the sump. After some fiddling, I fitted a second-hand Bosch electric pump. I drained and replenished the sump, and the problem was solved.
Once again, an old fuel pipe was the culprit