water in fuel

[sonscar]

The symptoms were spluttering to the point of dying after heavy braking,becoming steadily worse until just slowing down caused the spluttering.I put off fixing it for a while as I had that feeling you get where you know what is wrong but do not really want to confirm it yet.Removing the SU float chambers showed water up to the little weir thingy that must be there just for this purpose.This morning's task is draining out the tank as best as I can after running it low,changing the fuel filters and for good measure cleaning out the fuel pump.
There has always been an oil leak from the pump and removing it shows the fibre? spacer block and no gaskets on either side of it.The pump base is distorted across it's long side by as much as 0.5mm,which I have attempted to remedy,partially successfuly.Should there be gaskets?I have perused Rimmer Bros site which shows gaskets available and new pumps with gaskets with them,but no gaskets shown in the larger picture.So gasket or no gasket?,that is the question.(what the heck,I am going to fit two gaskets and then probably suffer fuel starvation)
This is annoying as I fitted a new tank 2 years ago and always try to keep the thing full when parked,but it lives outside and has recently been uncharacteristically rainy and I am convinced the locking cap allows water thro it,indeed you can blow through the key hole.Still what serious fun heh?.Steve..

[saabfast]

I stick a piece of insulation tape over the keyhole in my cap. I have been on the lookout for one without a lock but not found one yet.
I had the water problem a few years ago when restarting after parking up for the winter (it was in a garage then). Drained most of it from the pump connection and then siphoned/sucked out the rest from the cap. I then put in a litre of isopropanol alcohol (IPA) with new fuel and it was OK. I stick half a litre of IPA in when I park for the winter now to absorb any condensation etc (it is kept under a cover) and have not had a problem.

[FI Spyder]

I've always suspected those locking gas caps which are fine for side mounting situations but our face up one. We can't used them over here anyway as it defeats our sealed systems. Tape on the key hole might work but sooner or later it's going to get blown off, you'd have to keep checking it. Is your well filling up in rain (poor drainage)? For condensation prevention keep the tank filled. Most gas these days has ethanol in it which should take care of a little I would think. There is nothing better than a garage though (or two or three).

[sonscar]

So I drained the tank as best I could,fitted two filters in series dismantled the fuel cap and filled the mechanism with grease.I blew out the well with air and refilled the tank hoping the ethanol absorbs the remaining water and am hoping for the best.Horizontal locking petrol cap?what a good idea that must have seemed.Steve..

[FI Spyder]

I believe the original Harris Mann TR7 had the gas cap on the side but Triumph moved it to the top like they are want to do. Most all other cars have the gas cap on the side (so water doesn't get in).

[sonscar]

Initial impressions are good,several miles have resulted in no more water in the filters and what a joy it is to have a car that you can confidently brake and get back on the throttle without it falling on its face again.The real test will be after it rains,which I am confident it will surely do.The car sat outside all of last winter with no I'll effects so I wonder what changed?One of lifes un solved mysteries.Steve.