Yesterday, Carolyn told me that she was smelling gas in her TR6—even before she re-fueled. I said I would check it out. As you may know, most British cars, and probably most others as well, have the intake and exhaust manifolds on the same side. Nothing like having the most combustible material (gasoline) as close as you can to the hottest part on the engine (exhaust manifold) !
On inspecting the fuel hoses and lines, I found one piece of fuel hose cracked and rotting. Stopped at NAPA in Fredericton (driving a different car!) and was given (FREE!) a one foot piece of fuel hose. So, now fixed and all is well. Probably prevented an otherwise inevitable fire. (What do YOU do if your car bursts into flames on the Westmorland Street bridge?—just wondering.)
So, owners of little British cars, go out and check your hoses—all of them—right now. Better safe than sorry. Too many of us do little preventive maintenance and inspections, and instead use the fix-it-when-it-fails philosophy. Never a good plan.
Always learning.
- David
1 comment:
David-
Last year I pushed my Spitfire out of the garage as I do each year, placed the battery in position and started the car for the first time in the spring in the middle of the driveway. Very rough idle so got out to check the carb. Found gas leaking on to the heat shield. Shut the car off and inspected more closely. Automatic chock should have been held on to the side of the carb with three screws. Only one in position with two missing and the one that was there was about to fall out. Ordered replacements from Chris H and positioned the chock in place with three screws. Started the car and set the idle. Good to go.
I never start the car in the garage each spring for that reason as well as other mishaps I have experienced with the first start.
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