Brian:
OK, a lot is "possible", but a vapor lock on a car with pressurized fuel (at 40 psi, no less!) AND a recirculating fuel circuit is not, in practical terms, possible. The lines are plastic and only so much heat can be transmitted through them before they melt. If the pump is hot enough to vaporize the fuel, I would name that condition "bad pimp" rather than "vapor lock"!

 

I presume you mean "bad pump" (as, to my mind, pretty much all pimps are bad). ;-) [This is a cheap shot at "pimp," not the fact that you made a typo.]

You'll notice that I was very, very specific in my objection and agree (and still do) with your overall premise. Vapor lock is very seldom caused by a fuel pump, whether in-tank or exterior to it, not being able to pull liquid fuel. It is almost always caused by fuel vaporization upstream from the pump but prior to fuel delivery where it should go. It very, very seldom happens in pressurized fuel delivery systems like those used for fuel injection. It is, however, utterly incorrect to say that vapor lock is impossible for the exact reasons you stated, and I laid out exactly why.

The number of myths surrounding vapor lock, the biggest of which is that ethanol in fuel increases its likelihood, has put me on a self-appointed mission to correct the incorrect when I see it.

You're correct that this is likely to be something that isn't vapor lock.

 

Thanks all for the replies. I think I will have a local Euro performance shop check the installation to see if anything is kinked or loose. The dealership is about to be on my not to trust list on repairing my car.

 

That's a good idea -- sure hope you get the issue resolved soon.