How To Maintenence Classic Car
As a start we will consider petrol and diesel, apart from the
obvious that you have enough for your journey it is worth checking the
whole fuel system at least once a year, diesel because it has a habit of
finding paths and holes that most other fluids don't and petrol because
if it does leak, a hot surface or spark can cause an explosion, I know I
have been there with leaky carburettors dripping onto the exhaust pipe.First
check the fuel tank, invariably in old cars it is made from pressed
steel and is subject to corrosion especially where straps or fixings
are. Give it a good look over for any bubbles or spots that look
damp/dark and check to see if the fuel gauge moves much at regular
intervals when the car is parked up. Next check the pipework, again many
cars had steel pipes with later replacements being copper or plastic
(plastic being particularly vulnerable from hot exhaust pipes as many
manufactures ran the two pipes close to each other!)
Hopefully
someone will have fitted a petrol filter under the bonnet to stop any
debris or rust reaching and blocking the carburettors. Looking at this
will help to indicate any corrosion from the tank and pipework that
maybe present, so replace it following any repairs to these to give you a
clean slate. For diesels the fuel filter will not be transparent but is
likely to resemble an oil filter.Also check the fuel pump for operation (easier if it is electric) by connecting an alternative outlet hose to a petrol can, caution here as you are combining electricity and flammable vapour, and see that the pump keeps running with the ignition on.
And finally with the ignition on/or engine started and switched off check the carburettor(s) for any damp/dark patches particularly around where the fuel pipes join the carbs. Alternatively check the injector pump and interconnecting pipework to and from the injectors on the cylinder head.
As standard advice it is always essential to check the cooling water level but there are other things to check for. It is worth noting that it is not so important if you over fill the cooling system as the water level should adjust i continue reading...