fuel cell maintenance ?!

HKreuchi · #1 (**permalink**) 07-02-2002, 10:37 PM

I got a offer for a low miled Superformance with a fuel cell.
In a back issue of the second strike newsletter I have read once that the foam in the fuel cell shoud be replaced about every 3 years.

What happend if you do not do that? Has a fuel cell any disadvantage copared with the standard fuel tank or is it really a good option?

Would be grateful for every information and help.

Hanspeter

Jamo · #2 (**permalink**) 07-03-2002, 01:22 AM

About 5 years is about right. That's what most sanctioning bodies require. However--each mfg has different ideas and specifications. Find out who made it and contact them. There should be a stamp somewhere indicating the make date.

Watch what you put in there. Different materials are used for different fuels--so you want to know what you have. Unless it's made for alcohol--don't use ANY additives with alcohol in them.

Safety is what you gain with a fuel cell. Long term durability is what you lose.

Mr.Fixit · #3 (**permalink**) 07-03-2002, 01:54 PM

The foam starts to break into little pieces that clog the pickup and fuel filter when it gets too old. This is the only disadvantge to a fuel cell, small price to pay for the safety aspects.

niles · #4 (**permalink**) 07-03-2002, 03:57 PM

I'm getting ready to order foam for my tank; any suggestions on how you install it without sliding around. Any suggestions of how large and how to keep a hole around the pickyp and guage sender.

thx
gn

Rick Parker · #5 (**permalink**) 07-03-2002, 07:59 PM

The fuel cells that have a bladder in them will also have a date stamped on them beyond which they should not be used because the material loses some of its impact absorbing qualities. All the sanctioning bodies in racing adhere to the date for usage and it is an item checked in tech before they are signed off. As a side note, I have used small pieces of fuel cell foam inside the tall breather tubes to prevent oil from being blown out the breather caps and valve covers. Works well. Just be sure it can't slide down into the rocker assembly.

..........Rick

Mr.Fixit · #6 (**permalink**) 07-08-2002, 08:07 AM

The fuel cell probubly has a large plate opening on the topside. Remove the trunk panel under the carpet on your SPF and you'll see it.

Cobralust · #7 (**permalink**) 07-26-2002, 08:19 PM

Niles,

The cell in my Ausitn Healy Bugeye race car has been in for about 11 years and doesn't seem to be breaking up yet. For an opening, I used a hole saw made for metal to make the hole in the foam for an opening to measure fuel level.

I chucked it up in my drill press, set it on high rpm and just held the foam firmly in my hands and raised it up into the bit. Made a nice 3" hole through it. Blew the small bits out with compressed air and went racing. Works fine.