Fuel Problems...I think

[silver_pilate]

Well, I'm pissed and relieved at the same time.

Drove it to Amarillo tonight (just got in), and sure enough, after over an hour of trouble free highway driving, it ran rough at the first stoplight died at the next. I was able to get it going long enough to get to a parking lot off the road.

I popped the hood and the first thing I did was look at the fuel pressure on the mechanical test guage I've got hooked up. It was zero. I tried swapping the pump relay out: no cookies. So I let it sit a few minutes, turned the key several times to cycle the fuel pump, and it sounded a little high in pitch. It wasn't building pressure either. So I let it sit a few more minutes and cylced the pumps again until I heard it sound more nomral. The guage showed just about 40 psi. I then started the car, and jumped out to watch the guage. It sat just fine at 38 psi, then started to drop, drop, stumble, drop, die.

So I sat in a parking lot 3 miles from my appartment for 50 minutes to let the pump cool. I started it up and drove it in.

So, it IS fuel related, and is probably the pump. It's a relief to know this, but I'm pissed because the pump's not much more than a year old. My guess is it's overheating, but is able to run while under throttle with the regulator opened up. When it drops to idle and has to work harder after an hour of highway time, it poops out?

The car has had two brand new fuel filters on it in the last month. It's occured before and after filter changes, so it's not the fuel filter clogging up. When I get the thing back home, I'll first check all the fuel lines from the tank to the rails and make sure there are no dents or kinks restricting flow. Next, I'll blow out the lines with compressed air. Then I'll drop the tank, pull the pump and check it out, and clean the tank. My best guess is that I'll need a new pump? Probably go with a 255lph (up from 190) as I may run the spray in the future.

What do you think? Any other things I need to look at? Suggestions? I also got a great deal from a buddy for a spanking new BBK adjustable regulator and practically new 30# injectors ($200 total...how can you pass that up?). I'll put these on as well.

Thanks for your help and patience as I attempt not to junk-yard the car or sell it to John. Hehe....

I eagerly sit and await your responses...please, please, one at a time. Try and contain yourselves.
--nathan