<VV> Misbehaving fuel pump

[Jon Woolf]

Here's an odd one-   I hadn't driven my car for a couple of weeks- went to
start it, had to crank quite a lot before she fired up.. Smelt gas, plenty
of it- took a look under the hood-  a stream of gas shooting out of the fuel
pump between the inlet and outlet pipes. Shut her down pronto. It looks like
where the 2 pieces of the housing come together, right where the diaphragm
would be. Nope, no loose screws.  So, on the phone to order a new pump-  One
hour later, back to the car, started her to put back in the garage-  not a
trace of a leak!  

 

Anyone believe in self-repairing cars?  Me neither.  I'm wondering, though
if there is a vent or breather hole in the fuel pump that could have
relieved a little temporary over-pressure situation?  Before I replace the
old with the new, possibly for nothing, it would be good to know if anyone
else has got an explanation.