Re: fuel pump access

["Jim Reeve" <ultra@xxxx>]

You are right, that lower access panel is what you need to take off 
to get to the fuel pump. That black sealant is just black RTV 
Sillicone. Unscrew the access screws, and pull the panel carefully, 
opening up the seal as you go. Once it's off, clean the remaining 
sealant off with a razor blade. You will then see the fuel pump 
cover boot (hopefully) with two hoses coming out of the top. Loosen 
the clamp around the outside of the boot, and pull it up a little 
bit. You can then look down on the fuel pump. If it has a long 
steel neck, accompanied by a flat hex nut on the top of it, then it 
is most likely the built in check valve that is bad. I have heard it 
is a common problem with that style fuel pump. If you see a "domed" 
nut on top of it, then you have a newer style pump, with an external 
check valve. Hope this helps!

Jim Reeve
MNDMC - Minnesota DeLorean Club
DMC-6960

--- In dmcnews@xxxx, Noah <sitz@xxxx> wrote:
> Right. the prevailing theory is that my hot start problems are due 
to a
> faulty check valve. So ( the story goes ), I opened the hood, 
popped out
> the tire and...
> 
> Lacking anything to compare it against, I have no idea whether this 
is
> normal or not. My vehicular disection skills are definitely in the
> 'beginner' category, but I do know (I think) that the pump is 
accessed by
> removing an access panel under the spare tire. That access panel 
(along
> with at least one other panel, and in addition to most of the rest 
of the
> luggage compartment appears to have been sealed with...well, 
sealant. A
> black vaguely rubbery sealent. It's a bead-type seal, not a
> painted-all-over-the-luggage-compartment seal.
> 
> So now what? Assuming I'm right about how to access the pump, I can 
crack
> the seal, but how? Razor blade? Pocket knife? Teeth? Small hamster?
> 
> Open to suggestions, recommendations, step-by-step, etc. Thanks, 
folks. :)
> 
> Noah
> #2867
> 
> "...a gang of Dadaist punks had broken into his car and installed an
> expensive stereo."
> _Good News From Outer Space_