No Start Problem WARNING
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Queen Creek AZ
No Start Problem WARNING
Recently I took my baby (1988 Corvette) out for a ride and it started to falter and then wouldnt start, much to my embarrassment I had to call AAA to get me home, after a little while I found that the fuel pump was not working, when I removed it I discovered the problem (see picture), I WAS SO LUCKY that the car didn't catch fire and take me with it, I suggest you all check this (it wont take long) the pump connection had failed and this is in the gas tank and the end result could have been so much worse than my embarrassment .
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Queen Creek AZ
Hot corvette fire bomb lucky escape
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,414
Likes: 2,745
I'd consider only the 'bulk-head' connector and an appropriate wiring kit. I'd much prefer that to a sender of 'unknown' origin. Racetronix has changed their offering a bit I believe recently and I've no idea what they consider 'current' or offered. It's not unusual for vendors to sell off some and then offer only the newer. Maybe you reach out to them.
Last edited by WVZR-1; Feb 18, 2018 at 03:59 PM.
Oil Producer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,388
Likes: 2,749
i produce oil with natural gas in it, and our 1000bbl tanks at surface are highly flammable. BUT as you say, that is the vent gas coming out the tanks into the atmosphere. We are extremely careful not to wear clothing that will spark with static and there are many setback regulations that do an excellent job of keeping everybody safe.
Hearing that you guys have seen this over the years is at least somewhat comforting.
I would have thought that a gas tank has a one way valve to let atmosphere in as the tank discharges to fill the vacuum though?
Hearing that you guys have seen this over the years is at least somewhat comforting.
I would have thought that a gas tank has a one way valve to let atmosphere in as the tank discharges to fill the vacuum though?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,414
Likes: 2,745
Here's a link to a 'reproduction' '88 and it looks just like the OP's snapshot
http://www.mamotorworks.com/Corvette...ainer-643251-1
Last edited by WVZR-1; Feb 18, 2018 at 04:44 PM.
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Oil Producer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,388
Likes: 2,749
It does. But it's a 1/4" hose. Not much area. It goes to the carbon canister for EVAP control.
Even if there is air in the tank, there is still not enough oxygen to support combustion at atmospheric pressure. The mixture is "too rich" to ignite. I may be FOS, and therefore don't intend to drop my guard around hazardous situations, but this is what I recall about fuel tanks and internal sparks.
EDIT: Ok, I did a quick google, and found what I remember learning aboot this decades ago. Sorry for the plagiarism, but this is the explanation, emphasis is mine.
"There is no danger, as mentioned above, not only is oxygen necessary to support combustion, but there needs to be close to 14.7 times more oxygen than fuel by volume for ignition to occur. This will never happen inside a tank, not even an empty tank because the gasoline fumes will displace almost all of the oxygen. Think about it, other than in a collision, how many fuel tank explosions have you heard of?"
Even if there is air in the tank, there is still not enough oxygen to support combustion at atmospheric pressure. The mixture is "too rich" to ignite. I may be FOS, and therefore don't intend to drop my guard around hazardous situations, but this is what I recall about fuel tanks and internal sparks.
EDIT: Ok, I did a quick google, and found what I remember learning aboot this decades ago. Sorry for the plagiarism, but this is the explanation, emphasis is mine.
"There is no danger, as mentioned above, not only is oxygen necessary to support combustion, but there needs to be close to 14.7 times more oxygen than fuel by volume for ignition to occur. This will never happen inside a tank, not even an empty tank because the gasoline fumes will displace almost all of the oxygen. Think about it, other than in a collision, how many fuel tank explosions have you heard of?"
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 493
From: Denver, NC
I don't think you were in any danger of exploding and would be willing to bet the farm on it.
Hot connectors like that are typically connections that have become loose and resulted in resistance or crimps at the connector that have resistance or just good old corrosion. You can even see the one terminal was arcing - that's loose my friend.
Hot connectors like that are typically connections that have become loose and resulted in resistance or crimps at the connector that have resistance or just good old corrosion. You can even see the one terminal was arcing - that's loose my friend.
Last edited by Ed Ramberger; Feb 18, 2018 at 10:40 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Queen Creek AZ
I am no expert but my concern was that each time I re-fuel I allow enough oxygen to give it all the elements for a fire, heat , fuel, oxygen.
either way I am glad it only failed to start and did not ignite.
either way I am glad it only failed to start and did not ignite.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
X3. In fact, it's so common, many new pumps come with a new pig tail end as part of the "kit", specifically to repair that issue while changing the pump.
7th Gear
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Jet Fuel fiction from TSB
You're in the oil business, so you probably know more aboot this than I ever will, but I was under the impression that there isn't enough oxygen in the tank to allow combustion. Only instance I'm aware of in-tank vapor igniting from an electrical spark is on 747 Center Tanks (TWA 800 1997). /sarc.
Probably a dozen times over about 20 years. No explosions either.
Probably a dozen times over about 20 years. No explosions either.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,268
Likes: 117
From: San Antonio Texas
Most of the new fuel pumps are a turbine style now and do not require the pulse damper like the old gear-rotor style. They usually include a fuel grade piece of hose to replace the pulse damper, so don't be alarmed when you buy the new pump and here is no pulse damper. You MIGHT on the other hand have to fab up a pickup sock or screen.
Just a heads up on what to expect.
Just a heads up on what to expect.