Greetings, Bricksters!! My first problem post to the board, I hope you can help me with this puzzle...

After my '86 240 B230F M46 w/240K miles sat for a wet weekend in the rain, I started off to work - everything fine... less than a minute later it starts coughing and develops lack of power. I was able to keep it going by "pumping" the accelerator long enough to get through the light but it stalled. It will start ok, but dies after about 3 seconds if no accelerator pedal action. I can sometimes keep it going for up to a minute if I pump the accelerator vigorously. But it has no power.

I thought immediately of the 25A fuse, so pulled it, cleaned it some, replaced it - no improvement. Got out the Bentley (just the manual - unfortunately!) to check the fuel pump relay. Tried the "jumper the main pump" trick to see if that would fix it. I could then hear the main pump running but still no solution.

I haven't tried to unplug the AMM/MAF yet to see what that would do.

The problem seems fuel related, at least not ignition related, as it idles fine after a start - for a few seconds. It then dies. I can start it again immediately - same result.

Is this a bad fuel pump/system relay? I am going to try to Fosterize it today and retry. Can my fuel filter be so badly plugged that it would cause this? It is old and I have a new one to put in, just haven't done it yet.

Any ideas? I want to get my brick flyin' again soon! Thanks in advance!

Regards,

TomD