Why No Fuel ?

[grady]

My 280i - which heretofore has started with the turn of the key - now has to crank for several seconds (repressurizing???), then starts, runs normally for about 5 seconds, than shuts off. My guess is a partial fuel blockage/starvation problem. No fuel leaks seen.

Clues are: I changed the fuel filter in July (and it ran fine after that) and I was banging around changing the oil filter over a couple of weeks. The problem showed up after the oil filter change. (I also had a low battery.)

Tonight I will sit with my bible and tomorrow I start trouble shooting, (is there really gas in the tank, is there pressure on both sides of the fuel filter, etc.).

Any other wise suggestions?

(In the interest of domestic tranquility, I would rather not spend all of Saturday under the car!)

Thanks Grady

[bobfrance]

Just hope it's not the old "plastic bag in the fuel tank" trick.

You've not upset anyone recently have you?

[ANDYM]

Just replaced the swirl pot on my 400 and there were about half a dozen big lumps of solder rattling around in there! presumably from the tanks not long after manufacture, didnt block the outlet though because of the filter in the pot, but hopefully the car will go a bit quicker now without the excess weight!

[shpub]

The crank time has nothing to do with fuel repressurising as the pump is electric.

Simple thing but check the ECU connector is not loose. This will give very similar symptoms on a V8. Does sound as if you have knocked one of the connections though somewhere.

The fuel filter may be directional so worth checking that it is fitted the right way and not become blocked.

Steve

[grady]

Thanks Steve, but in the end the first thing I tried (adding a gallon of gas) solved the problem. I must say that's a first for me. (Both running out in the first place and solving the mystery so quickly.) I won't mention the fuel estimator indicating 1/3 of a tank.

But in a related vein... If I was so out of gas (flat and level) that it wouldn't run and I added 1 gal plus 8.5 at the station = 9.5 (even letting it sit it wouldn't hold any more) where do the missing 3.5 gallons of capacity go? My manual says 13 gallons (US I assume) between the 2 tanks?


>> Edited by grady on Saturday 14th September 23:43

[grady]

quote:
The crank time has nothing to do with fuel repressurising as the pump is electric.

Steve, Inquiring minds want to know...

On my MG I could hear the electric pump run (click away) for a few moments at the first turn of the key and I would wait unit it stopped before engaging the starter. Can't hear a thing in the wedge, so I start it like a modern car. So if I have lost fuel pressure, wouldn't it have to re-pressurize (or refill the line) during the cranking? Grady

[shpub]

The fuel pump should come on with the ignition to pressurise the system. The V6 is a little wierd in that it is a mechnaical injection and requires the engine to turn over and create inlet vacuum to operate. so it will take some time to start but this nothing to do with the fuel pressure which comes up pretty well instantaneously.

As for the fuel tank, it takes time for the fuel to flow from one tank to the other and so often the filling side will fill up first and limit the capacity.

TVR fitted bigger hose between the tanks on the later cars which don't suffer so much from the problem. The hose can also get blocked!

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk