Car died in a queue of traffic!

[Mr Sheen]

This is the first time my Tasmin 280 has done this but I’ve never sat in a queue of traffic for 15 minutes+.

I started queuing, switched the twin cooling fans on for the radiator and creped forward ever so slowly.

After 15 minutes of creeping forward the engine started to cough and splutter and then died. I tried to restart it but just wouldn’t fire. At this point I must say that the fuel pump was being noisy. So I pushed the car to the side of the road to cool down. 20 minutes later the car started and drove home perfectly!

Could it be the pump on its last legs?
Could there have been a block in the fuel filter?

Any ideas or thoughts what went wrong?

Cheers
Andy

[heebeegeetee]

The fuel evaporated in the fuel lines or fuel filter in the engine bay, and air locked?

[rev-erend]

I would replace the fuel filter.. it could be the problem.. if it happens again .. then it's the pump.

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

Sounds like a are lock, the pumps get very noisy when running dry.

[rev-erend]

Just a though..

Petrol absorbes heat - so in traffic warm petrol is returned to the tank.

In those kind of situations - it's best to have plenty of fuel in the tank - as it stays cooler by virtue of it's greater volume.

[Bodmin]

Definatley sounds like fuel vapourisation to me.

My 400SE used to suffer from this until I increased the fuel pressure so the time the fuel stayed in the rail was reduced.

Rev - do you remember on the Le Mans trip when my gearbox jammed & we had to keep stopping so I could pour Evian over the plenum chamber & fuel rails

I know this is not the same engine but the principle is the same, lots of underbonnet heat shielding protecting the fibreglass but just bouncing back the heat rather than disapating it

I seem to remember the 'S' series with these engines had the same issue resulting in fuel coolers being retro fitted.

Bodders

[rev-erend]

If your right foot was not so heavy - the fuel might have stayed in the tank longer

[rev-erend]

If your right foot was not so heavy - the fuel might have stayed in the tank longer

[Mr Sheen]

I appreciate everyone comments, thanks. I think my first port of call is to change the fuel filter and then go from there.

At least you chaps haven’t come up with anything more drastic other than the heavy right foot