6 replies to this topic

[087dave]

Hi all,

i have put my engine/gearbox back in the car and have put fuel in the tank

made sure all the fittings are tight started to start the engine and notting

i have just put in a new fuel line under the car from the tank to the engine

is there a way to bleed this?
i have tryed and tryed and the battery is nearlly dead

could someone help plse

Dave

[moss6273]

Dave,
if you have no kinks or blockages between the tank and fuel pump (I assume you have a mechanical one) and at least a couple of gallons in the tank, by disconnecting the inlet to the pump (and removing the filler cap) you should get fuel to come out of the pipe.
If this is not successful (which would be worrying) and with the aid of an assistant, crimp the breather pipe on the tank, take a deep breath and blow into the tank. Either fuel will come out of the pipe (which your assistant will see) or you will pressurise the tank which would indicate a blockage. If you have a blockage, you will need to check all the rubber connections to see that they are ok - assuming that is that there is no blockage/kink in your new fuel pipe.
If you get fuel out of the pipe in the engine bay, I would suggest that you get a length of clear pipe which will fit the pump inlet and fill it with a small quantity of fuel. Turn the engine over and, if the pump is working, you should see the fuel level fall in the pipe if the pump is ok. I the level does not drop, disconnect the fuel pipe from the carb and try again. If you still see no drop in fuel level, your pump is at fault. If the level does fall, this would indicate a "dry" pump which is now "Wet". Clean up any wasted fuel and reconnect all hoses if pump is ok.
If pump is at fault, you can remove and disassemble it to check for any faults but if it needs any parts such as diaphragm etc a new pump will be required (I could not see any form of rebuild kit on the Minispares website)
At this point, if a new pump is required, your choice is mechanical or electrical - personally, I would go for an electric one, but you must feed it from an ignition switch, switched live. You can find this with the use of a meter if you are "handy" with one. You will also need a blanking plate for the block.
Basically, start from the tank and work your way forward checking everything on the way. Once you are happy with each part, proceed to the next until you narrow down the problem area.
Hope this helps and keep us posted.
Regards

[dklawson]

You did not mention any tests you have performed that led you to conclude this is a fuel delivery problem. Why do you believe this is fuel related?

Go through all the ignition checks first. Make sure you have spark at the plugs, then check the static timing. If you had the head off the engine while it was out of the car, did you set the valve lash when you put the head back on (if not... you MUST). If all those areas are OK and nothing was found wrong, tip a thimble of fuel down the carb throat and try to start the engine. If the engine fires and quickly dies, you have a fuel problem.

If the thimble of fuel test confirms this is a fuel problem, remove the fuel hose from the carb inlet. Aim the hose into a catch container and have a friend operate the starter motor. If fuel comes out, you are likely to have a problem with the float valve in the car being stuck closed. If fuel does not pump into the catch container, you have a pump or fuel hose problem to sort out.

Incidentally, when cranking the engine over on the starter to check for fuel, you can save the battery by labeling and removing the spark plugs. Without compression, much less power is needed to turn the engine over.

[087dave]

Thanks for the replys

i dont think its the fuel pump as its new
and also i have start the car now by using a lenght of hose , put it in a jerry can of fuel and connected the other end to
the inlet of the pump and she has started

the only thing is when i connect to the tank at the back of the car i am not getting notting through to the fuel pump

dave

[lrostoke]

You normally find with enough fuel in the tank gravity actually forces the fuel down the fuel line, I know when I've removed the fuel pipe off the pump I've had to plug the pipe to stop fuel coming out.

Maybe some ******* as got in the new pipe blocking it off ??

If it was me I'd undo the pipe from the pump, put my finger on the tank breather (top of tank small thin pipe) and blow down the filler neck, see if fuel comes out the fuel pipe.

[jaydee]

Tst for leaks in fuel lines.
Check all the joints in the fuel lines, have a mate applying pressure in the tank using an air compressor (put the gun in the filler neck and seal with a rag), so you can see at which of the joints you have a leak.

[bmcecosse]

There must be a blockage - blow into the tank........