Misfire - an interesting story...

[Rich in Vancouver]

I have been going through the same thing recently. The fuel comes through a rusty colour and killed the electric pump that a PO had fitted. I replaced the pump and have been changing the fuel filters weekly until I can find a replacement tank. I have gone to a filter with a coarse nylon mesh as the paper element type clogged up quickly with the very fine sediment in the gas, and now the car is running much better.With any luck this pump will last until the swap!

Cheers,
Rich

1975 TR7 ACL764U

[Hasbeen]

Rich, Its only the front 2 inches of the tank bottom, that rusts on
the inside, giving you all that muck, that clogs filters. This strip
can be replaced by any good welder.

You could also probably, get away with removing the tank, & giving
it the POR 15 tank sealing treatment. I did this, after replacing
the rusty strip.

To get rid of that dirt, [& probably water], in the tank.

Jack it up high, at the back, higher on one side, [as you want all
the muck in one corner], with a couple of gallons of gas in it.

Remove the fuel gauge sender, carefully, they don't like getting
bounced about.

Using a 1/2" hose, siphon the petrol & muck out into a couple of
tins. Repeat if it looks necessary.

Don't wait too long to treat, [repair], or replace the tank. If its
that full of muck, it must be near rusting through, from the inside
out.

Hasbeen

[simon hubbard]

Good morning John, Thanks for the advice, I think it may be some muck in the fuel, I went out at lunchtime and filled the car with petrol and it drove ok back from the petrol station to work and then home again. Still went up to 3/4 on the gauge, but drove ok.

When I pulled up at home the radiator started gushing water from the bottom right hand corner (where the bottom hose goes). I then took the radiator out last night.

A couple of weeks ago I changed all the fuel pipes as one had perished, but the garage (last night) has a smell of fuel again, so possibly fuel tank (now it is full) or the metal pipes that carry the petrol to the front of the car are leaking?

So because of the way I feel about the car at the moment, the fact that potentially I need to replace radiator, water pump, head gasket/head/timing chain etc, possibly fuel tank and pipes, the welding in the boot area, painting the underside and sorting out other bad paint areas, and I had intended to get a new set of carpets I don’t know what to do. Then there are the oil leaks, the fluid in the clutch reservoir is low and I guess the master/slave cylinder will need to be replaced, that if it doesn’t ruin the clutch first.

I love the car, I have always wanted one since I used to sit in them when they came out at my dad's garage and when he used to bring the demonstrators home from work. But it is impractical (2 seats) to go out in, it needs money spending on it, I don’t have any money.

I wanted to take it to Robsport to get the things looked at, but even if I change the radiator, I am a good couple of hours away so I don’t think it is viable to get it there as I would have to drive it.

Not a good day this morning.

Hope the rest of you have a good day. Regards Simon.



TRR676R Speke Built 2.0L Tahiti Blue TR7

[John Clancy]

Radiators are simple to fit Simon. Get onto Robsport and see if they can do you a cheap second hand one or perhaps someone on here can help you in this regard.

It does sound increasingly like you have a rusted fuel tank. An in-line fuel filter may be a temporary fix for this. Get a glass one and you'll be able to see if any sediment is coming up from the tank.

As you had a leaking radiator that could be the cause of any overheating. That combined with a rusty tank could be all the repairs you need. If you speak to Robsport ask them how much it would cost to change the tank and if they would be able to manage it whilst you wait.

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[TR Tony]

Hey Simon, it gets you down when it looks like you have several potemtially big problems to sort.

But like John says, do the rad first, that's a relatively cheap job, & see if the sorts your overheating problems. Give the systema good flush through & if funds permit change the hoses while you are at it, then use a good quality coolant - I use 4Life. Once in the engine, 4Life will change colour if you have a head gasket problem, so that could help you identify the problem if the new rad doean't cure the overheating.

Fuel tank - I'm sure Robsport could find a solid used tank for you. They are selling new ones for £160 or so on ebay right now. Maybe if they fit it for you they will do you a good deal on the cost of the tank. Or ask around for a used one - I bought a solid used tank for £20 a while ago off ebay!(sorry I have since sold it on).

If the clutch fluid is leaking then it's probably the seals in the master cylinder. Can you see any signs of weeping fluid in the engine bay or under the dash where the clutch pedal connects? Seal kits are cheap & changing seals is not too hard - I did it & if I can do it anyone can!

Pick off the problems one by one - it may not be as bad as you fear!

Tony

<font size="1">1981 2L FHC Cavalry Blue - very original & not rusty!
1980 3.5L V8 DHC Regency Red - on the road again.</font id="size1">

[Rich in Vancouver]

Thanks Hasbeen,
I will be changing the tank as soon as possible but as the car is my daily driver it will have to be done over a weekend so I will have to get another tank ready first.
At least the car is running well in the meantime. I am looking forward to it's performance with clear petrol instead of the terra-cotta stuff!

Cheers,
Rich

1975 TR7 ACL764U