Turns over but fuel not getting through?

[Tim M]

Hi

My '67 restoration project is still thwarting my attempts to get it running. The engine turns over but isn't firing and I think the cause is to do with no fuel getting to the engine. To improve things I have replaced the fuel pump with the SU type and it seems to be working though still no fuel gets to it. The copper fuel line is brand new and is clear.

I am wondering if the cause might be debris in the fuek tank and/or not sufficient fuel to reach the fuel line/pipe so was going to drop the tank to have a look. Does this sound feasable?

The car has been stood since Nelson had two eyes so what would be the best way of cleaning out the tank?

Many thanks for any replies.

Happy Easter!

Tim

[Ufudu]

Pour a small amount of fuel into the carb air intake (filter removed) & try & start, that should show if it is a fuel problem or not.

[Tim M]

OK, I'll give it a try.

Cheers,

Tim

[bmcecosse]

As above - pour in some fuel and crank it. Is the fuel line from the tank clear? Try blowing down it! But don't suck.... Cleaning out the tank...depends what condition it's in. To prevent damage - take the level sensor out. I have heard of folks putting water + stones in the tank - and strapping it to a cement mixer....... Whatever you do MAKE SURE there are no sparks anyhwere near it......fill it to the brim with (hot if possible) water as soon as you take it off the car.

[Tim M]

I blew through the line and it was clear earlier. How much fuel would I need to put in the tank as I only put in 5L can in so it might not even be at the level of the hose, when I disconnected the hose no fuel spilled out like i was expecting it to.

[simmitc]

A gallon of fuel is more than enough to get it pumping. Have tested the pump by removing the hose from the carb and letting it pump into a suitable container? That is the best way to test it. If the pump runs and fuel comes out then it is working. If it does not "click" then the pump is not working. If the pump runs but no fuel comes out. then the line is broken, blocked, or leaking at a joint. One possibility is that the pipe internal to the tank has broken off and is thus not reaching the fuel at the bottom of the tank. To check that, take the fuel cap off and blow down the pipe from next to the fuel pump. Can you or an assistant hear bubbles in the tank?

As always, when working with petrol, take great care to not spill any, work with good ventilation, and avoid any possible source of ignition. Use only suitable hoses and containers.

Have you checked that your ignition is working correctly and that there is compression in all four cylinders?

[bmcecosse]

If blowing shows the pipe is clear....no need to remove the tank. You should add another 5 litres - as suggested above- the pick-up pipe may not be reaching the fluid. However - in that case - the pump will be fluttering away furiously.....is it? Prove the engine by pouring an egg cup of petrol in the carb mouth!

[Tim M]

OK, a new day dawns and the dropping of some fuel into the carb mouth gives a result! Later today I'll put some more petrol in the tank and start over.

Many thanks for all the advice evryone; superb!

Tim

[Ufudu]

Tim, is the carb new or reconditioned by any chance? If so it may have been shipped with the jet fully closed (nut screwed fully up) and no fuel is getting through?

[chickenjohn]

Another cause of no fuel getting to the engine is a blocked pipe from the float chamber to the jet. If you have fuel in the float chamber (undo the three screws and remove lid to check), then you will need to clear the pipe.

[bmcecosse]

Easy way to clear that is :- get the engine running (with that egg cup full) and immediately clamp your hand over the inlet.....the suction will clear the little pipe of anything but the most solidly 'set' muck. Other check of course - is the piston rising and falling easily?

[rayofleamington]

Sticking your hand over the inlet doesn't sound like an ideal choice. Did this at roadside with an old school AA mechanic and he used a wad of cloth (carefully wadded to create a good restriction and also so it couldn't get sucked in).

[bmcecosse]

I don't think it will suck your hand in!

[simmitc]

I used to drive a launch with a big diesel where the method of stopping it was to shove your hand over the (unfiltered) air intake. If you didn't do it right, your hand was stuck for ages! H&S wouldn't allow it now.

[Tim M]

Hi

Hhhmmm, I stuck my hand over the air intake, good compression here and almost started up BUT no fuel is getting through the fuel pump which ticks away happily. It is working fine so there must be a blockage in the fuel line coming from the tank to the pump.

Tomorrow do you think I should open up the tank to see what state's its in to see if there's an issue here. My old Commer van had a lot of debris in its tank and I ended up buying a new aluminium tank to sort it out.

Cheers again!

Tim

[bmcecosse]

Have you added another 5 litres yet? I still think it's a fuel level problem. And yes - I would be wary of sticking my hand over a diesel - where the fuel will keep on pumping in.....the beauty of doing it to an SU is that it blocks the air - which is already heavily restricted by the throttle plate (no such restriction on a diesel!) and the fuel will be cut off due to no air flow.

[Tim M]

Hi,

Sure, I added another 5L into the tank. Before, anything else I could see what happens when I disconnect the fuel line from the tank and see if it has touched the outlet level yet, if not, then I can more. None is leaking out so that's a good thing!

[bmcecosse]

Be ready when disconnecting in case it goes pear-shaped, and the fuel runs out! Have something handy to catch it ......and no naked lights/fires/lamps near bye....

[Tim M]

I have now tried everything and have taken off the old tank to see a significant amount of crud inside and rust around the side. I think the best step would be to get a clean new tank and sender unit and try again. The fuel line is now clear also.

Many thanks for all the help.

[bmcecosse]

Indeed it would be the best solution.......