Vapor lock???
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 16,509
Likes: 2,400
From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Vapor lock???
Backed my 89 out of the garage for a wash Saturday. Temp was 89F with 95% humidity. Washed the Vette, turned it around and backed into the driveway. Slight incline on driveway, nose high. An hour later went to take it out for our club's photo and it was hard starting, white exhaust smoke, and it would die as soon as it was put in drive. Idle was crap at <500 rpm. I let the car sit for 8 hours, it started normally and ran and idled fine. I didn't think the TPI could vapor lock. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance for any replies.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 0
Re: Vapor lock??? (89ragtop)
Well vapor lock happens when an engine is real hot, & or a gas line is routed near a hot spot.
If you just backed it out it should'nt have been hot.
Did you get water on the engine, or in the exhaust pipes?
Did parking on an incline ever affect it before?
Water on the distributer could make it miss fire & not idle & die.
Just some thoughts goodluck.
:chevy
If you just backed it out it should'nt have been hot.
Did you get water on the engine, or in the exhaust pipes?
Did parking on an incline ever affect it before?
Water on the distributer could make it miss fire & not idle & die.
Just some thoughts goodluck.
:chevy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8,540
Likes: 1
From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: Vapor lock??? (89ragtop)
You can vapor lock with low fuel pressure and a hot engine. Difficult warm start is usually a leaky injector. If it bothers you do a leak down test with a fuel pressure guage and see if the pressure holds.
1st Gear
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh Pa
Re: Vapor lock??? (89ragtop)
My 89 also stopped the other day.It stalled within 100 yards in a parking lot at the mall.I took off the gas cap which released pressure and it ran fine.It happened again going around a slow curve through town a day later.I replaced the gas cap with a new one but I can't for sure it's the cure cause I haven't driven it for any distance.I'm thinking this could be the same problem as yours and if not it's $5 for a new cap so it's a cheap way to eliminate a problem if hopefully thats all it is.
Backed my 89 out of the garage for a wash Saturday. Temp was 89F with 95% humidity. Washed the Vette, turned it around and backed into the driveway. Slight incline on driveway, nose high. An hour later went to take it out for our club's photo and it was hard starting, white exhaust smoke, and it would die as soon as it was put in drive. Idle was crap at <500 rpm. I let the car sit for 8 hours, it started normally and ran and idled fine. I didn't think the TPI could vapor lock. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance for any replies.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 16,509
Likes: 2,400
From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Re: Vapor lock??? (89ragtop)
I found a split vacuum hose coming off the throttle body. Had loud whistle today. Car ran OK but got hard to start as it got hotter. I'll get a new vacuum hose tomorrow and let you know if it fixed it. Thanks to all for the tips. That's why I come here.
