Do I Smell a RAT ???
Thread Starter
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 889
From: Virginia
Do I Smell a RAT ???
Had engine rebuilt. Drove car home and parked it in the garage. Went back a couple of days later, attempted to start her up and the starter locked up. Had car towed back to the shop. Shop said that in addition to the starter being locked the fuel pump is now leaking as well. Wasn't leaking when I drove it back before the starter locked up. ??????
6th Gear Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,212
From: Hills of California
darn I really thought this was going to be about rats..
Its entirely plausible for both the starter to jam and the fuel pump to leak...
You can either have them return the car and fix it yourself or have them do the work and when you return ask to see the old parts...
I have never actually seen or heard for a starter jamming primary to starter failure...usually they jam secondary to say hydraulic lock or foreign object in cylinder or weak power. You should have them elaborate on the cause of the starter jam.
-Gun
Its entirely plausible for both the starter to jam and the fuel pump to leak...
You can either have them return the car and fix it yourself or have them do the work and when you return ask to see the old parts...
I have never actually seen or heard for a starter jamming primary to starter failure...usually they jam secondary to say hydraulic lock or foreign object in cylinder or weak power. You should have them elaborate on the cause of the starter jam.
-Gun
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 611
From: California
you are probably frustrated so don't make any rash decisions today, sleep on it, I would ask them for the starter if it is off the car already (examine it yourself, are the teeth there are they ground up, etc, does the shaft wiggle) then drive up to your local parts store and have them test it on a bench, does it work or is it really hosed
as far as the fuel pump it could be an easy fix, is it leaking from the gasket between the pump and the block (did they do a bone head thing and re used your old gasket after removing the pump to paint your engine) or is it leaking from the line fitting cause it's loose, is it a hose clamp not being on there tight enough, gasoline could also leak from above it and run down the metal tubing making it look like it's the pump that is leaking - you drove the car for the first time, things rattled, heated and expanded, then cooled off and contracted, things may have come loose a bit, that's why it's important to check and re tighten stuff
if they don't charge you extra for leaving the car in the shop for a day or two more, then think about it, sleep on it, then make a decision
just trying to help,
Greg
as far as the fuel pump it could be an easy fix, is it leaking from the gasket between the pump and the block (did they do a bone head thing and re used your old gasket after removing the pump to paint your engine) or is it leaking from the line fitting cause it's loose, is it a hose clamp not being on there tight enough, gasoline could also leak from above it and run down the metal tubing making it look like it's the pump that is leaking - you drove the car for the first time, things rattled, heated and expanded, then cooled off and contracted, things may have come loose a bit, that's why it's important to check and re tighten stuff
if they don't charge you extra for leaving the car in the shop for a day or two more, then think about it, sleep on it, then make a decision
just trying to help,
Greg
4th Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,027
From: NJ
you are probably frustrated so don't make any rash decisions today, sleep on it, I would ask them for the starter if it is off the car already (examine it yourself, are the teeth there are they ground up, etc, does the shaft wiggle) then drive up to your local parts store and have them test it on a bench, does it work or is it really hosed
as far as the fuel pump it could be an easy fix, is it leaking from the gasket between the pump and the block (did they do a bone head thing and re used your old gasket after removing the pump to paint your engine) or is it leaking from the line fitting cause it's loose, is it a hose clamp not being on there tight enough, gasoline could also leak from above it and run down the metal tubing making it look like it's the pump that is leaking - you drove the car for the first time, things rattled, heated and expanded, then cooled off and contracted, things may have come loose a bit, that's why it's important to check and re tighten stuff
if they don't charge you extra for leaving the car in the shop for a day or two more, then think about it, sleep on it, then make a decision
just trying to help,
Greg
as far as the fuel pump it could be an easy fix, is it leaking from the gasket between the pump and the block (did they do a bone head thing and re used your old gasket after removing the pump to paint your engine) or is it leaking from the line fitting cause it's loose, is it a hose clamp not being on there tight enough, gasoline could also leak from above it and run down the metal tubing making it look like it's the pump that is leaking - you drove the car for the first time, things rattled, heated and expanded, then cooled off and contracted, things may have come loose a bit, that's why it's important to check and re tighten stuff
if they don't charge you extra for leaving the car in the shop for a day or two more, then think about it, sleep on it, then make a decision
just trying to help,
Greg
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 889
From: tn
I replaced a few fuel pumps in recent years due to leaky diaphrams.
Before fuel pumps lasted several years and had user serviceable diaphragm screws.
They pump fine. OEM style pumps works fine w/ edelbrock carb.
Before fuel pumps lasted several years and had user serviceable diaphragm screws.
They pump fine. OEM style pumps works fine w/ edelbrock carb.