Ethanol in Gasoline caused our fuel system problem

Today I worked on resolving our fuel system issues we were having. On left hand corners we were losing fuel pressure unless the tank was completely full. On a left 3- double caution exposure outside (sharp left, cliff on outside of corner) we lost fuel pressure and spun 360 hitting the forest wall opposite the cliff with both bumpers as we spun. Scary!

What had caused this was weakening and dissolving of a rubber boot on the bottom of the fuel pump. A hole had formed and on left turns at high speed the fuel would leave this hole exposed and air entered the pump instead of fuel. We tried to keep the tank full, but between rally stages this is not always possible. Nothing is more frustrating than losing control when your drifting because of a problem like this. It makes things interesting!

I replaced the old fuel pick up with a small reservoir and supply pump off a newer Saab. I can't hear if the supply pump is working, but we will do some testing to make sure the issue is 100% fixed.

Gearing up for Wild West Rally 2009

We have a lot to do before Wild West Rally but we are on track. The car still runs and drives, so it's only a matter of sorting some minor issues so we can keep up at this fast event.

Checklist:

Alignment
Fuel tank pick up
Tires and wheels
Tail lights
Find a service / tow vehicle
Find a trailer

Either way we are going to show up and race!

The Wild West Rally is in Pomeroy, Washington on the 26th and 27th of September.

Wild West Rally Homepage

UPDATE 8/23:

James got a BRANTZ LASER 3 Rally computer for a wedding gift. It's so bad ass you can even put a fuel gauge in it, which is a positive thing because we don't have one. This computer will allow us to accurately track our total mileage, elapsed mileage, speed and also has 2 built in stop watches. Sweet!