The dreaded vapor lock is a common issue with 914s. Since the fuel pump is located in the engine compartment in many of our 914s, it gets hot and can cause vapor lock. I have seen 914 owners carry a can of freeze spray to cool the fuel pump down when they encounter vapor lock.

Conventional wisdom for years has been to move the fuel pump to the front of the car. It can be relocated under the fuel tank behind the front trunk. However, the fuel pump isn’t always the problem. The original fuel lines in the 914 were plastic and this allows the fuel to get very hot, and introduces air bubbles into the system, causing the engine to sputter and run poorly, particularly with fuel injection.

Since the original plastic fuel lines crack and should be replaced anyway, many 914 owners install stainless steel lines. Then in the engine compartment, where there is a lot of heat, the fuel line can be “sheathed” with rubber fuel line over the stainless steel line. The rubber line will operate as insulation to keep the fuel from getting hot. The lines between the fuel rails can also be relocated to go across the back of the engine instead of across the top of the engine. This will also help keep them cool.