Autoblog

Some 2008-model Hyundai Elantras are being recalled due to fuel pumps that could lose pressure and decreasing engine performance. In Elantras with the 2.0-liter Beta engine, gasoline with ethanol added creates a buildup of film on the pump's electrical contacts. This can cause the engine to hesitate during starting or while running. The recall is voluntary, and if you have one of the affected cars, don't hesitate to contact your dealer.

[Source: Freep]

We resist writing posts on how expensive gas is nowadays because if we made it a habit, that's all we'd write. Every once in a while, however, there's a news story about gas prices that we can't ignore. This past week, the national average price of gas beat the previous record set in the first week of September 2005, the week following Hurricane Katrina's devastating landfall. The national average price of gas peaked at $3.11 that week. Since last January, however, the national average has been increasing on an uninterrupted pace. At the end of the first week of May, the average stood at $309.70. On May 14th, it was reported by the government to have risen to $314.30, eclipsing the previous post-Katrnia record. (Click here to view the government's archive of average fuel prices.)

We don't claim to be analysts in this area, so we wouldn't venture to guess what various factors are conspiring to push the price of gas ever higher. We don't know if or when it will level off, or perhaps even decrease, though we imagine the retreat of summer and colder temperatures will bring some relief. Nevertheless, we though it prudent to point out that as of May 14th, the price of gas is truly at record levels.

[Source: DailyFuelEconomyTip, Energy Information Administration]

We've reported three times on Honda's recent major recall that's affected vehicles sold in the U.S., China and Japan. Not being mechanics, we've done our best to relay what the actual issue is that's prompted the recalls, but most articles we've found on the topic stop after mentioning something about the fuel pump and engines that won't start.

Fortunately, Honda noticed we were in the dark and shot us a quick email to explain exactly what the issue is, which we found interesting since the mainstream media's descriptions have been pretty vague and off the mark in comparison.

The issue involves not the fuel pump, but a fuel pump relay, which is like a fuse. During production of the relay, presumably by a supplier, sealer leaked inside and coated parts of the metal coil that transfers the electrical signal within the relay. As the relay activates during normal operation, it continually heats and cools. Because these particular relays may be coated with sealer, they cannot contract and expand properly, which could cause them to become brittle and break. If that happens, then the car will not start or may stall while driving. Fortunately, the relay is located right in the under dash fuse box, so repairing the problem is simply a matter of popping a new relay in.

This more detailed explanation certainly puts the severity of the recall in perspective, though unfortunately its scope, which now reaches over 1,000,000 vehicles sold around the world, cannot be denied.

[Source: Honda]

Automotive News is reporting that fuel pump problems dogging Honda worldwide have lead to a third recall, this time in Japan affecting some 390,000 vehicles. As we've already reported, the issue involves something leaking, something breaking and a motor that subsequently may not start. The offending part appears to be the fuel pump that could leak some type of sealant onto important wires exposed below. The sealer gunk apparently can cause the wires to break or snap eventually.

Honda has already recalled over 525,000 vehicles in China (a new record!) and 165,000 in the U.S for the same issue. The new recall affects 13 models in Japan including the Accord, Civic, Civic Hybrid, Odyssey, Life and Fit build between April and October 2005. In all, 1,080,000 vehicles have now been recalled worldwide to repair this problem.

[Source: Automotive News]

There had been some rumblings recently that the Oxford plant, where the new R56 MINI is being produced, may be halting production of the new Cooper S model. Until today, it was just a rumor.

However, Motoring File got confirmation that due to a leaky fuel pump found on 3,000 Cooper S', a retooling of certain components in the production line has forced a manufacturing stoppage of the iconic hatch. Currently, the plant is closed for the Christmas and New Year's holiday, and no time frame has been set as to when production will begin.

How this will affect those of you with a deposit on the new, turbocharged Cooper S remains to be seen, but better to have the problem solved now, before delivery takes place.

[Source: Motoring File]

Ray Holan of AutoblogGreen took a field trip to a new gas station in Oberlin, OH where the fuel pump of the future is about to be installed. Full Circle Fuels, which you might remember as the service station that performed an SVO conversion on a 2002 VW Jetta we reviewed, is working on a clever new fuel pump that will be able to dispense E85 as well as any biodiesel blend a driver desires, including B2, B5, B10, B20 or whatever ratio is required.

The article goes further into the background of the station’s proprieters than we were able to in our review of the SVO Jetta and really shows what the green gas station of the future might look like.

[Source: AutoblogGreen]