Wont start.

[johnnywgk]

Hi all, i think i might of run out of petrol, car just cut out and would'nt
start.

Someone said, because i ran it low on fuel, i've dragged some muck up a pipe,
which is causing a blockage. What's the best way to tell.

Also, if this is the case, why dont the pipe drag up muck,when full.
Just seems odd to me.

As always, thanks for any help.

Typical me, the suns out, and my car dont want to play. lol.

Hope you are enjoying the weather.

[ChrisGadd]

Can you hear the fuel pump priming when you turn the ignition on ?

[Gerald-TVR]

Yellow connector?????????????????????????????

[neil240970]

Hi Jonny,

I had an almost identical set of problems when my fuel pump died - I originally assumed I run too low on fuel and maybe run out. It turned out that it was just a simple pump failure. I'm not sure, but running these cars low on fuel, with 20 years of crud in the bottom of the tank can lead to pump failure.

[phillpot]

johnnywgk said:

Also, if this is the case, why dont the pipe drag up muck,when full.

often heard that "theory" but, like you, can't see why it should as its always drawing from the very bottom ?

My tank came off last year,ran it until as empty as I dare without running out, when i tipped it out I got less than a litre and it was spotless !

As others have said can you hear fuel pump priming or if you press the valve on the fuel rail/manifold is there any pressure ?

[johnnywgk]

Hi all.

I think fuel pump is ok because you can hear it prime, when you
turn the ignition on.

Yellow connector is long gone.



Now, the valve that Mike (Phillpot) refers to, has no pressure. I remember before, pressing this valve (just to see what it dose) and petrol came
shooting out, now nothing. So this seems to be where the problem is.

Any ideas, thanks

[Elfit]

So you know that there's no petrol at the valve on the fuel rail.

The problem must be between the tank and there.
Start at the begining.
Is there petrol in the tank
Is there an obvious leak or kink in any fuel line.
If you can hear the pump working then you know that the electrics must be ok
Is the pump/filter blocked.
Is the pump knackered

It would take a major blockage to prevent fuel getting to the rail. My bet is that the pump has died.

[Gerald-TVR]

If its the pump got a spare

[Barkychoc]

I was told years ago when I had a 2.0 EFi Sierra that it was really bad practice to run the tank below 1/4 full as when you are cornering the pump is starved of fuel and can overheat as the fuel keeps it cool.
No idea if there is any truth in it, but sounds feasible.

[johnnywgk]

Cheers guys, battery on charge at the moment, so will report back later.

[HvdWeerden]

Barkychoc said:

I was told years ago when I had a 2.0 EFi Sierra that it was really bad practice to run the tank below 1/4 full as when you are cornering the pump is starved of fuel and can overheat as the fuel keeps it cool.
No idea if there is any truth in it, but sounds feasible.

I think no truth. Our tank is lowered where the suction pipe is connected. When cornering there will always be some fuel in that round shaped bulge. It would be a problem if the bottom of the tank was completely flat.

Han

[GreenV8S]

Barkychoc said:

I was told years ago when I had a 2.0 EFi Sierra that it was really bad practice to run the tank below 1/4 full as when you are cornering the pump is starved of fuel and can overheat as the fuel keeps it cool.
No idea if there is any truth in it, but sounds feasible.

Could be some truth in it. The pump is cooled and lubricated by the fuel. I get momentary fuel surge sometimes when the tank is low, but once had fuel surge that lasted several seconds on a long sweeping bend and the pump sounded quote awful at the time and for several minutes afterwards. It never sounded quite the same, and died a couple of months later. Don't know if this was muck going through the pump, or overheating, or what, but it definitely started with the fuel surge.

[GreenV8S]

The stupid gauze filter is to stop crud from your tank from reaching the expensive and delicate pump. The main filter is downstream of the pump. (Injection pumps can 'blow' but can't 'suck' well so you can't afford to put any restriction upstream of the pump, which is why the upstream filter is just a coarse gauze and the main fine filter is downstream.)

[GreenV8S]

If you want to throw it away that's your affair, I'm just explaining what it's for. They're there for a reason, in my opinion it's a good reason.

[johnnywgk]

Think i got it sorted.

Got a leak from where the fuel regulator meets the fuel rail, the rubber
'O' ring is shot, it's the newest thing on the car, lol, had a new reg fitted
late last year.

Anyway, searched loads of places, but can't find the right size, i will get intouch with the garage that fitted it.

Tomorrow will try a tap washer, as it seems to tick all the boxes, not sure if the're petrol resistant though.

Many thanks again, and cheers Norman, will bare you in mind if i need any parts.

[GreenV8S]

You need seals the right size and material, and this is not the place to experiment with non-standard parts. I don't remember which size the regulator takes. The injectors take 15mm seals and I think the regulator will be the same but there also a very common 14.5mm seal which it might use, so measure carefully before you buy. They only cost a quid or so, your problem will be to find anyone willing to sell you them individually without ripping you off. Probably, ebay will be your cheapest bet:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lucas-Injector-Seals-Pairs-R...

Edited by GreenV8S on Tuesday 12th April 00:38

[phillpot]

johnnywgk said:

Think i got it sorted.

Got a leak from where the fuel regulator meets the fuel rail, the rubber
'O' ring is shot

If its the one I think you mean I have some spares,(had to buy several to get one) want one put in the post ?

[johnnywgk]

Cheers Peter.

Mike, that would be great,will send pm, in a minute, hope you understand
the photoshop below, lol.

[johnnywgk]

Many thanks Mike, turned up in post today.