DrvngCrooner

Hi there, everyone! This is a a problem I've had with my car since I got it running three years ago. On hot days when the engine temp hovers around 240 I start to hear my fuel pump whining and then my engine will die. I attempt to restart the car and as the fuel pump is priming I hear a high pitched whine that lowers in frequency until it stops priming. After this I hear a faint bubbling/boiling noise from the fuel tank. After about half an hour, and a lot of fuel pump priming the car will finally start and be okay again. This is a reoccurring and extremely frustrating thing that just has me completely stumped, please help me!

The car is a 1989 Trans Am GTA with a new rotating assembly that I installed, converting the engine from a 5.7L TPI to a 383 stroker. Everything save the rotating assembly is basically the same with the engine. I have replaced the fuel pump and fuel filter since this problem has been happening with no luck. Also, I replaced the fuel tank vent valve with some pvc parts- this is comprised of a check valve that allows air to come into the tank but not out. The stock headers are wrapped in that fiberglass insulation wrap and in an attempt to fix the problem mentioned above I also wrapped the fuel lines that come close to the headers. My dual fans are hard wired with a toggle switch that can bypass the stock kick-on temperature, I usually turn on both fans around 180 degrees. Idk what else I can do to fix this so I'm hoping someone here has had the same experience and figured it out, thanks!

DrvngCrooner

I'd also like to add that I have an air dam in place, and new: radiator, radiator cap, hoses, water pump, thermostat and obviously fresh 50/50 coolant.

Ozz1967

iTrader: (4)

Welcome to TGO!


May seem silly, but is your fuel return line hooked up?

DrvngCrooner

Yes, but maybe it has some sort of blockage in it? I can't imagine it would though as the fuel pump seems to prime just fine.

DrvngCrooner

And thank you! I'm happy to be here!

Ozz1967

iTrader: (4)

Still TPI?

Do you have hoses/clamps with barbed fittings or solid screw-on type fittings?

One common issues if you have barbed fittings, is that the inside of the hose gets scraped when being installed and leaves parts of the hose hanging in the fuel flow on the return line. This would cause pressure issues and with not enough return fuel flow and possibl fuel pump overheating issues due to lack of return flow since tha'ts what helps keep the fuel in the tank cool.

Have you checked your fuel pressure when it's running fine? Have you checked it when it's giving you issues?

DrvngCrooner

Sorry for the delayed response, I'm currently right in the middle of finals. Still TPI, and all fittings are solid screw-on type. I have not checked my fuel pressure in either case. It's as if I'm getting vapor-lock and I can't figure it out... Is there a way to check the pressure on the return line?