Failing Fuel Check?
 

When any of you fail your fuel check after a run are you then draining the fuel and refilling it with new fuel and then flushing the entire system for a few seconds?

Or are you pulling your tank and scrubbing it clean and will the fuel check staff verify your new fuel before using it?

Someone mentioned scrubbing their tank in a post awhile back, but what does that exactly mean?

Re: Failing Fuel Check?
 

They have always helped us any time. We got a bad 5 gal. in Gainesville, had to take the foam out of both cars, dry it, clean the tank and give it a few minutes to evaporate. They tested our new fuel, and then tested it again out of the car before we ran again. Great help. Also told us what was probably wrong. Somebody probably used that jug for some pump gas and didn't dry it out after.

Re: Failing Fuel Check?
 

We've had C12 from a new jug right off the VP trailer fail. More than once. We picked up some ET and consistency going from C11 to C12, and stuff stays cleaner. But it fails fuel check regularly, or comes really close. We're deciding what to switch to. And we buy ours direct from a VP distributor, by the drum. It is sealed, the fuel system in the car gets sealed, the jugs are carefully maintained and sealed, and stored in the dark. We've done everything they've asked, and still it either fails, or we get warned we're close.

We can usually pass fuel check after a problem by simply pumping it all out and flushing it. I don't remember having to do anything major. We tossed the foam years ago. It holds dirt, and it comes apart. We keep the cell topped off instead, it keeps the weight more consistent.

Re: Failing Fuel Check?
 

Fortunately I don't have foam installed and keep the fuel in the blue VP cans and not in jugs, so I hope that helps but who knows. The C11 in the tank has been sitting all winter, so I doubt it will pass. Jeff you mentioned cleaning the tank, so do you just wipe it out and re-fuel it.

I was assuming I would just drain it and fill it with a new can and flush the system for 3-5 seconds.

Re: Failing Fuel Check?
 

[QUOTE=Alan Roehrich;179606]We've had C12 from a new jug right off the VP trailer fail. More than once. We picked up some ET and consistency going from C11 to C12, and stuff stays cleaner. But it fails fuel check regularly, or comes really close. We're deciding what to switch to. And we buy ours direct from a VP distributor, by the drum. It is sealed, the fuel system in the car gets sealed, the jugs are carefully maintained and sealed, and stored in the dark. We've done everything they've asked, and still it either fails, or we get warned we're close.

I'll be glad to sell drums to any racer who wants it -- just call .And at a reasonable price .........

Re: Failing Fuel Check?
 

Quote. We tossed the foam years ago. It holds dirt, and it comes apart. We keep the cell topped off instead, it keeps the weight more consistent.[/QUOTE]

Just wondering, but doesn't removing the foam negate the safety aspect of a fuel cell?

Re: Failing Fuel Check?
 

All the foam does is keep it from sloshing around. It does nothing to prevent leaking or a rupture, nor does it contain fuel in the event of a rupture.

What most of us run really isn't a fuel cell, it's a plastic fuel tank. A real fuel cell is a can with a bladder in it.

Re: Failing Fuel Check?
 

Jack, we get a good deal on fuel, a very good friend is a VP distributor. It's just that almost everyone constantly has problems with C12 passing fuel check at NHRA races.

If we were stupid or careless with our fuel, I wouldn't complain. But we do everything VP says we should, and we still have problems. I like the fuel itself, other than it makes the plugs look funky. But when it constantly fails a fuel check or it is borderline, there's a problem, and VP just will not address it. We've been lucky, we've never been DQ'd. But then, NHRA has been somewhat accommodating, too. We're simply not going to keep taking chances until we waste a weekend and $1500 on a DQ.

Re: Failing Fuel Check?
 

Manny, I have no real answer why, but twice, I have checked C 11, that was bought late the previous season, and it passed both times. I keep mine in the dark blue jugs almost always. I have an O ring in the top of the cap on one. I did buy some 12, 4 yrs ago, and it failed right out of the can ! Carried it right back, swapped it for 11 and no more since then.
I did buy some 11 last yr that caused all kinds of problems though.... It killed a pump, and regulator, and gunked up the carb,and ate the inside of the lines, so after swapping out the whole deal, it has been fine since.

Re: Failing Fuel Check?
 

I've run C12 since I started running the Neon. It has passed every time they never told me I was close.
The winter before last I had about 3 gallons the the 5 gallon cell and about 3 gallons in a blue metal can I bought the fuel in October. It sat in my garage for 4 months when I took the car to Bradenton I figured it would never pass so I brought a fresh 5 gallons with me.
Only got one run in the test and tune. So on Friday I drove up to fuel check to see if it might still be good (I had 5 gallons of the stuff total) It passed with flying colors. When I took the can up it also passed right in the middle.
The only time I had a potential problem was with the fuel they sold me this year at Gainesville points meet, I went to Atlanta the following week and was told it wouldn't pass, so I pumped it out. put it 5 gallons of fresh fuel. Didn't wash anything or clean the filters.
And it passed without problems. And they checked it 3 times because of the record.

Re: Failing Fuel Check?
 

My last few questions. Do they check fuel every qualifying pass and every round or racing? I can figure out what happens if you fail the fuel check after winning a round, but do you get DQ'd from the entire event if you fail any of your qualifying runs? What if you fail every time trial run, do you still get to run the 1st round? I would assume not.

Re: Failing Fuel Check?
 

Normally, they fuel check and scale after the first pass. If you improve your ET or MPH, you scale again, and often fuel check. They can pick you to scale and fuel check at any time. You must scale after winning a round, under normal circumstances, they normally only fuel check if it was a heads up. Procedure does vary, depending upon who is in charge, and what the circumstances are.

Re: Failing Fuel Check?
 

When I had my Firebird Stocker a couple season ago.......The first race I went to I brought fresh Sunoco purple.....I had it checked before I made a run.....it was ok in the jug. After the second run....my fuel failed! Same fuel and the cell was empty when I got to that race. I pumped out all the fuel. bought a new jug and frsh C-11. That fuel was fine.

At 2 races I can recall C-12 failed and one was at Cecil County. I bought the fuel from the tracks supply that day and he had all fresh drums.....A lot of people were failing with C-12 , I believe so they let everyone slide. The next day they checked fuel again and I shook my head and said it was the same fuel....they let everyone by again from what I could see....A lot of head shaking and mumbling. I even pulled the CC receipt out to show that I just purchased the fuel....and I always showed up with a stone empty cell and cleaned it out before I added fresh fuel......I still have the little hand pump syphon I used to draw the fuel out of my cell......

After that I always used C-11 because it always passed. I did not like that fuel for a few reasons but it always passed.

Re: Failing Fuel Check?
 

Rich I failed fuel twice.1st time at the Dutch when they first started checking by the new method.I think a string of about 20 of us failed.The second time was Cecil.Also bought from them.I was told by someone(can't confirm the accuracy of their claim)but he said they clean their barrels with alcohol and sometimes there was enough left after cleaning to contaminate the new fuel.I haven't bought fuel from them since.And I pass every time,sometimes borderline but I do pass.And I've noticed somewhat more consistency and no wild ET swings since using C-12 instead of Sunoco purple.But boy the cost hits the pocket harder.

Re: Failing Fuel Check?
 

We were running C-12 once in both Shelby's at a Nat. event. On the 1st pass, one of the cars failed fuel check. I argued that the cars were the same (pump, cell, lines etc.) and that the fuel came from the same jug. They had me go get the jug and it tested fine. They told me to drain the bad cell and flush it. I went to the trailer, sat down and drank a beer. Austin wanted to know what we doing, and told him "nothing". About 30 mins. later I sent him back to fuel check and it passed.

Re: Failing Fuel Check?
 

This is just sharing some personal experience only.Seems everybody has their own story.

Since changing to Sunoco Purple a few years ago,I have NEVER failed fuel check.

(I know ...next race it won't pass for sure!)

The car seems to be a few hundredths slower,but is MORE consistant and the fuel is cheaper.

On a side note,what is the temperature of the fuel that is not passing?

I wonder if that has something to do with it?

Re: Failing Fuel Check?
 

My experience with C-11 is that it must be kept in a sealed metal drum. I carry a 15 gallon VP drum and I drain my fuel after every race and return it to the drum. Even if it sits all winter it passes.

Sam

Re: Failing Fuel Check?
 

When I first built my Mustang Stocker ,in 2003, I started out with VP 110 Red, for price, and not thinking my 8.4-1 compression 302 needed anything better. The 110 failed, I brought some more from a just opened barrel, and it failed too. Several other racers told me that lots of guys had good luck with C-12, so I bought some, and have been running it ever since, never had an issue at fuel check since. On occasion, I have tried Chevron mid grade pump gas at a bracket race, (car actually ran a tad quicker!), and when I needed to run at a divisonal race again, I would just unhook the fuel line for the carb, and pump out the factory gas tank till it wouldn`t pump anymore out, added a couple of gallons of C12, shake the car a bit, and pumped that out, then just added more C-12. The C-12 always passed after doing that. A buddy inheirited a Q/SA 65 Caprice a few years ago, which had sat for over a year, with 1/2 tank of C-12 still in the factory gas tank. Wouldn`t you know it, even THAT gas passed fuel check the first time he brought the car back out. I buy my C-12 by the 54 gallon barrel, and just take the fuel out of the barrell as needed, and even the year old stuff always passes. Now, a question, VP says that fuel in a sealed drum has an almost indefinite shelf life, any confirm that? I stiff have a bit of C-12 left in a drum from 2008, and I have a never been opened drum that I bought early last year, that I`m hoping will get me by for this season. Should I have any concerns?

Re: Failing Fuel Check?
 

Rory,is the 65 wagon Calvin Quehpana's old car?Take the gas to your first race and have it checked.If it's borderline I'd be suspect about it.

Re: Failing Fuel Check?
 

Ed, the 65 Caprice is a 4 dr hardtop, not a wagon. Years ago it was a Cal Method car, until recently owned by Doug Marx. As for Quehpamas wagon, I remember he had a white 66 Impala wagon a few years before he died, but normally I saw him running a 66 Chevelle wagon in P/SA. He may well have had a 65 Caprice wagon, but I can`t say that I have seen it before. Back in the 70`s & 80`s, it seemed that most guys that ran a 65 or 66 Chevy, must have had at least one of every body style & model "in stock" for changing classes with !!

Re: Failing Fuel Check?
 

Sam that is true for sure.....C-11 was very vaporous......and my trailer was always full of the fumes. I thought about installing a shutoff valve for the fuel cell vent to stop the fuel in the cell from emitting those vapors into my trailer....never did get around to getting that done......Cost was at something like 10+ bucks a gallon and I did not see any et gain with the stuff over any other fuel.......

If I still had a Stocker I would run the cheapest fuel that passed.......They should allow the unleaed performance fuel to be used.....Many people say it runs quicker and is cheaper....