I thought it might be a good idea to post this entry from my racing log, thinking it may serve to help someone else avoid a problem — at the risk of proving that I am fully capable of being an idiot. I’ve been a recreational racer mostly in formula cars and sports racers since the early sixties — so I should know better...
Yesterday, I topped up the fuel cell in my Swift FC — then I climbed into the cockpit to adjust the belts. This, with the car in a garage with the door open . I was unaware that the little beast had belched out well over a quart of fuel (not from the filler neck,) thereby drenching the engine and creating a sizeable puddle under the car. I could smell the gas — but dismissed it as being residual fumes from pouring fuel into the fuel cell.
I knew it would be awhile before I would drive the car, so I decided to run the engine for a few minutes — just to make sure the car ran after being idle for a few weeks. Thankfully, when I turned the ignition switches on and hit the starter button, there was no response, except for the clicking of the electric fuel pump. The battery was fully charged — I use a tender — none-the-less, the engine refused to turn over. It was, as they say, dead as a doornail.
In retrospect, that was a good thing. Had there been a spark — it could have been a BIG problem. I know you’re supposed to be able to exit the tight confines of a formula car in roughly 8 seconds — however weighing in at 205 — I’m proud to report it takes me
a mere one minute and twenty two seconds — bruising just one kneecap and dropping the “f bomb” not more than three times. (Kidding.)
Note to self: Always start car with an attendant if I’m in the cockpit — and preferably in the great outdoors. Otherwise start car while standing beside the cockpit within arms reach for the external battery cut-off switch and fire suppression cable handle.
By the way — when there is no response from the starter button and the power is on and fully charged — I guess it could be the button — wiring (doubtful,) the starter solenoid or the starter itself, binding...
Any thoughts?