I've been having some problems with my 87 GXL developing power and RPM's. So, I've been testing everything and I am on the fuel delivery system. I pulled the fuel pump out to do a visual inspection. It looked like the filter/screen was kind of sucked in. I stuck the pump in a gallon or so of gas and powered it up with 12v. It seemed to pump good for about a minute spitting fuel back into my gas container. Then it just seemed to start sucking the screen in like it was in the tank and I got very little gas out of the supply. Is this a bad pump? Can that screen be cleaned? Seem like the screen is clogged and won't let enough fuel thru to be pumped... which would explain the cause of my problem.

Any ideas?????

 

clean the screen. It is common to have left turn hesitation with dirty screens.

I would replace the fuel filter while you're at it as well.

 

The fuel filter is new. What do I use to clean the screen?

 

I think most people have used Kerosene or Acetone. You may wish to search for hesitation while turning

 

Thanks Icemark. Nice website btw.

 

I use spray carb cleaner.
before & after

 

The screen is surely all varnished up. Cleaning the screen will certainly fix the problem at the pump end. However, if the pump sock is all gouey its a good bet that all the lines and rails are also loaded with junk.

This is a rare case where a complete fule system cleaning may be called for. For about $100 you can take it to a shop that does this and they will cleanse the entire system and do a simple injector clean. There are two different systems used. The fuel lines and the rails will be cleaned seperately under pressure.

You have a 17 y/o car and I bet the system has never been cleaned. I usta know a little fluid physics/dynamics
and recall that reducing the diameter of a tube reduces fluid flow by a factor of the radius change squared. Example: doubling (2x) the radius of a tube with the same pressure gradient will increse flow 4 four fold. Reducing it by 1/2 will reduce flow to 1/4 what it was. I quess what I am saying is that after 17 years you can bet the lines and rails have a layer of varnish residues covering 'em.

Done correctly you may see marked improvement.

 

Good post Jodoolin. Thanks!