Jump to content

Photo

Fuel Pump-out -- safe to use factory quick-connects?

- - - - -

  • Please log in to reply
10 replies to this topic

#1
tynor

tynor

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 74 posts
  • Location:United States
  • Region:Atlanta
  • Car Year:1999

When I pump out fuel at the track, I've been popping a quick-connect from the pulse dampner on the pax side of the engine.   I'm wondering if there's any risk that repeated connect/disconnect of those fittings might lead to a leak / failure of the connector.   Does anyone else do this?  Any failures? 

 

(many of the folk I paddock with have installed metal scuba quick-connects to their pressure regulators instead - but mine is in the trunk and it's easier to pump out from the engine bay since that's where the diagnostic port that turns the fuel pump on lives...)

 

So far so good..., but looking for advice from the old timers...

 

Thanks!


Steve Tynor

'99 SM

Atlanta, GA

 

Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#2
TylerQuance

TylerQuance

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 120 posts
  • Location:Houston
  • Region:Texas
  • Car Year:2002
  • Car Number:92
I would be afraid the plastic clip would not return to grip the nipple after repeated cycles like that. It's the only thing that holds the connector from blowing off.

Just put a test port on the regulator and be done with it.
  • Jim Drago and tynor like this

Tyler Quance 

Race Bushing Factory

Home of the turn-key SM Offset Bushing Control Arms


#3
ChrisA

ChrisA

    Veteran Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 659 posts
  • Location:Richmond, VA
  • Region:NCR
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:58

I used the quick disconnect in the engine bay many times, but now use the port on the fuel regulator. I wasn't too worried about the plastic retaining clip breaking so much, because I have spares from fuel filter changes. I was concerned about the O-ring in the fitting getting nicked and leaking. I would typically put a little motor oil on the metal line as lube to protect it some. Now, if you want a quick 'n cheap tank drain method, you could use a .22 to put a hole in the bottom of the tank. The hole should be snug enough to run an 8mm bolt up in there. Put a vinton ring gasket on the bolt and bada-bing bada boom, drain plug and a booking at a Choice hotel.  :devil:


  • steveracer and tynor like this

Chris

 

Happiness is a dry martini and a good woman ... or a bad woman.
- George Burns


#4
davew

davew

    Veteran Member

  • SMembers
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,297 posts
  • Location:Beloit, Wi
  • Region:Chicago
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:72

I have used this method many times with no problems. i have seen the o-ring get nicked causing a fuel leak. And saw a car go up in flames when the hose popped off. I had a reasonably priced quick release for sale, but had problems with the seals not being compatible with fuel. Caused a couple leaks. I have a new system worked out that uses a fuel campatable double dry break system. Give me week or so to get my head straight.

 

dave


  • tynor likes this

Dave Wheeler
Advanced Autosports, the nations most complete Spec Miata shop
Author, Spec Miata Constructors Guide, version 1 and 2.0

Building Championship winning cars since 1995

4 time Central Division Spec Miata Champion car builder 2012-2013-2014-2017

Back to Back June Sprints Spec Miata 1-2 finishes 2016 and 2017

5 time June Sprints winner in Mazda's

6 Time Northern Conference Champion Car Builder

2014 SCCA Majors National point Champion car builder

2014 SCCA Runoffs winner, T4 (Bender)

2014 Central Division Champion, ITS (Wheeler)

2013 Thunderhill 25 hour winning crew chief

2007 June Sprints winner, (GT1, Mohrhauser)

Over 200 race wins and counting.
www.advanced-autosports.com
dave@advanced-autosports.com
608-313-1230

Survive the 25, NASA Thunderhill - Survive the 25, NASA Thunderhill We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Sponsor / Advertiser - Site sponsor / advertiser... support these guys! Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#5
tynor

tynor

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 74 posts
  • Location:United States
  • Region:Atlanta
  • Car Year:1999

FWIW, I ended up with the MiataCage kit - turns out this is what most of my paddock mates use and it was very simple to install.

 

http://www.miatacage...t-kit-1990-2005


  • Alberto likes this

Steve Tynor

'99 SM

Atlanta, GA

 

Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#6
steveracer

steveracer

    Blue Eyes, Aquarius, hates being squeezed to the grass in SowDiv

  • SMembers
  • PipPipPip
  • 404 posts
  • Location:Austin, Tx
  • Region:Lone Star
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:92

I forget if it was Lamb or Schiffler who recommended it, but I've been using this method for years.

 

I cut the wire to the fuel gauge and measure the resistance coming from the sender. Spent an afternoon pouring and measuring 1 quart at a time and made a chart from dead dry to 4 1/2 gallons. 

My DVOM is my fuel gauge, I only pump out the stabilized storage fuel when preparing for a race. 


Steven Holloway

Artist formerly known as Chief Whipping Boy for Lone Star Region

Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#7
Tom Hampton

Tom Hampton

    Egregious Member

  • SMembers
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,060 posts
  • Location:Mckinney, tx
  • Region:South west
  • Car Year:1992
  • Car Number:41

I forget if it was Lamb or Schiffler who recommended it, but I've been using this method for years.

I cut the wire to the fuel gauge and measure the resistance coming from the sender. Spent an afternoon pouring and measuring 1 quart at a time and made a chart from dead dry to 4 1/2 gallons.
My DVOM is my fuel gauge, I only pump out the stabilized storage fuel when preparing for a race.


Sensors drift. Do you verify that it hasn't drifted enough to matter periodically? I'd think a 2 or 3 point check once a year would be sufficient... Until you saw a change that mattered.

-tch
Build: www.tomhampton.info

video: vimeo.com/tomhampton

Support: X-Factor Racing

 

I didn't lose, I just got outspent!

Beta-Tester - Assisted us with beta testing the website. Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#8
steveracer

steveracer

    Blue Eyes, Aquarius, hates being squeezed to the grass in SowDiv

  • SMembers
  • PipPipPip
  • 404 posts
  • Location:Austin, Tx
  • Region:Lone Star
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:92

I've spot checked it here and there, it's within the margin of error of a fuel jug, which aren't really very accurate. I'd say it's within a pint.

 

Check the graduations on a jug against a fuel pump, you may be surprised...


Steven Holloway

Artist formerly known as Chief Whipping Boy for Lone Star Region

Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#9
Tom Hampton

Tom Hampton

    Egregious Member

  • SMembers
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,060 posts
  • Location:Mckinney, tx
  • Region:South west
  • Car Year:1992
  • Car Number:41

I've spot checked it here and there, it's within the margin of error of a fuel jug, which aren't really very accurate. I'd say it's within a pint.

Check the graduations on a jug against a fuel pump, you may be surprised...


Wouldn't surprise me at all. Especially pumps at the track which might not be calibrated very often or ever,

That's why I ignore the fuel pump. I just use the graduations on my fuel jugs. It's all relative to the jug which might be wildly wrong, but internally consistent as long as I use the same jugs.

-tch
Build: www.tomhampton.info

video: vimeo.com/tomhampton

Support: X-Factor Racing

 

I didn't lose, I just got outspent!

Beta-Tester - Assisted us with beta testing the website. Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#10
steveracer

steveracer

    Blue Eyes, Aquarius, hates being squeezed to the grass in SowDiv

  • SMembers
  • PipPipPip
  • 404 posts
  • Location:Austin, Tx
  • Region:Lone Star
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:92

The 5 mark is usually accurate, but check 2, 2.5, 3 next time you fill jugs at a retail pump.


Steven Holloway

Artist formerly known as Chief Whipping Boy for Lone Star Region

Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#11
steveracer

steveracer

    Blue Eyes, Aquarius, hates being squeezed to the grass in SowDiv

  • SMembers
  • PipPipPip
  • 404 posts
  • Location:Austin, Tx
  • Region:Lone Star
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:92

So my method is easier, quicker, and just as accurate...


Steven Holloway

Artist formerly known as Chief Whipping Boy for Lone Star Region

Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver




0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users