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Got a quick technical question which someone might be able to help me with.
I am trying to get a relo’s car running – I suspect the fuel pump as packed up, but I simply cannot get the fuel line disconnected from the fuel rail without taking apart half of the engine.
To check this theory I was thinking about spraying some fuel down the inlet manifold and then cranking the engine over, if it splutters or runs then it will confirm the tank needs to be dropped and a new pump put in. Should I put some fuel in a squirty bottle or would something like carb cleaner do as a substitue?
Any help is appreciated. Would furnish this request with pictures, but the Hitler’s in the IT dept make sure all images are blocked by the company firewall.
Thank you please
James
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Brake/carb cleaner, even WD40 down the intake can get a car to start. Maybe for only a second or two, but it can work. Did it on the Fugitive that time if you remember?  Straight out of the spraycan is best. |
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Air intake pipe off & spray carb cleaner / easy start / lynx straight in! As you say, if it splutters / tries to run then there's your problem ;D Possibly irrelevant warning: I spent ages trying to get an Astra to start at the weekend, doing all the checks you've no doubt done already & reached the same conclusion that the fuel pump / relay must be borked. Rolled around on the floor chasing wires, gave up and called a mechanic mate to ask him which was the fuel pump relay & he said have you checked the immobilizer is off  doh! |
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Hook up a placcy bottle of fuel and rig it so its sitting above the height of the carb and connect it to the fuel intake pipe on the carb. Gravity feed is sometimes enough to start a car. If it coughs or starts then the problems with the pump
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I've found sometimes wd40 doesn't work that well. Brake cleaner or easy start would be my preference. Also what car is it? Some have inertia fuel pump cut off switches that can be accidentally tripped and stop the pump working. Old one was some sierra's had them in the spare wheel well. If you changed a tyre and dropped it down into the well, the shock would trip the switch. Car then wouldn't start Lots of french cars have them under the bonnet passenger side usually and they look something like this:  (Sometimes its a black cover) Just press it to reset. I've had a couple that were just that simple |
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Cheers lads, I will get cracking! I do now – I swear my crack habit is damaging my memory! Will be rolling over on Friday mate, got a small present for you to say thanks for the help! |
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Hook up a placcy bottle of fuel and rig it so its sitting above the height of the carb and connect it to the fuel intake pipe on the carb. Gravity feed is sometimes enough to start a car. If it coughs or starts then the problems with the pump Paul, if you actually read his first post you see that not only could he not get the fuel line off......but it was attached to a fuel rail. Read that again - fuel rail. Now read your response, mull it over, have a cuppa and mull it over some more. Heck, even look it up on Wikipedia if still unsure and then facepalm yourself on our behalf. You do make me laugh for someone studying automotive engineering. |
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Some have inertia fuel pump cut off switches that can be accidentally tripped and stop the pump working. That takes me back to my neighbour who had a Sierra Sapphire. He knocked on my door one day to see if I could help diagnose why his car wouldn't start. "It was starting fine this morning, and now nothing! It's got lots of fuel, engine turns, checked spark & compression but nothing!" I asked him if he'd changed any of the wheels since he last started/drove it and he gave me a real WTF??? kind of face!! He obviously thought I'd lost it LOL. He then told me he'd had a flat tyre that morning, and asked how I knew: "was it anything to do with you??" Without answering I opened the boot and pressed the switch through the centre bore of the spare then proceeded to turn the car over for a few seconds until it fired up perfectly. He just stood there with his mouth ajar as I went back indoors and finished my tea without saying another word. It's amazing what you remember your mates telling you in the dim & distant past. Useful nuggets of information that you never think you'll need but somehow get stored up there 'just in case'.  |
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I've found sometimes wd40 doesn't work that well. Brake cleaner or easy start would be my preference. Also what car is it? Some have inertia fuel pump cut off switches that can be accidentally tripped and stop the pump working. Old one was some sierra's had them in the spare wheel well. If you changed a tyre and dropped it down into the well, the shock would trip the switch. Car then wouldn't start Lots of french cars have them under the bonnet passenger side usually and they look something like this: (Sometimes its a black cover) Just press it to reset. I've had a couple that were just that simple My old dear's Fiat had it mounted inside the car on the bulkhead, on the dash. they put those cutoffs in odd places. Oh, and WD40 doesn't burn very well, it's the propellant (isobutane) in the can that usually gets the engine to start --Phil |
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Can you disconnect the fuel line at the tank end? I'm assuming it's an in-tank pump. Stick a suitable vessel somewhere to catch the fuel then get someone to flick the ignition to see if it primes / pumps?
Also, interesting stuff about the weird and wonderful locations of the inertia cut-off switches!
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Last Edit: Oct 7, 2010 14:37:42 GMT by BenzBoy
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Hook up a placcy bottle of fuel and rig it so its sitting above the height of the carb and connect it to the fuel intake pipe on the carb. Gravity feed is sometimes enough to start a car. If it coughs or starts then the problems with the pump Paul, if you actually read his first post you see that not only could he not get the fuel line off......but it was attached to a fuel rail. Read that again - fuel rail. Now read your response, mull it over, have a cuppa and mull it over some more. Heck, even look it up on Wikipedia if still unsure and then facepalm yourself on our behalf. You do make me laugh for someone studying automotive engineering. DOH for some reason I read that as "couldn't get the line of chassis rail" so presumed something like it had to be unclipped to detach from the pump or tank. Major facepalm as this would of course be fuel injection. I stand by my suggestion though for a similar problem on a carbed car ;D |
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Bruce – you crack me up dude! Sadly the car in question hasn’t run for 4 years – so what fuel is in there is probably poo anyway. I have also tried to break the line at the fuel filter under the car and that’s not going to come apart without breaking so I gave up on that one. This car has been subjected to the pikiest gas install ever – thought the wiring was bad – serious rats nest of odd ends of cable taped together (including domestic flex) and wrapped around things like exhaust pipes, not a dab of solder in sight and from what I have seen underneath the frame that holds the petrol tank and the gas cylinder is held in by coach screws – which aren’t even screwed in square. Probably a good thing the car hasn’t been on the road as I expect the tank would have just dropped off the back of the car one day! If the car will even run for a second on carb cleaner it confirms that the tank needs to come out and pump needs to be swapped – then another drama begins! |
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Blimey, sounds like you've got your work cut out undoing all the bodgery! Good luck with it.  |
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This car has been subjected to the pikiest gas install ever.... Aha...that one! I thought it might be. Dude, I really don't envy you. Not at all! You make yourself homeless, stick all your worldly possessions in a tiny metal box then decide to tackle Mary Shelley's Frankenjero. Brave man! ;D  |
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Midas
Part of things
Posts: 505
Club RR Member Number: 14
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If the fuel is 4 years old you may have the answer right there, it doesn't last like it used to.
Easy Start or the Aussie version ('Start ya B@stard') which I have seen on some shelves this last year or so is probably your best bet to prove the ignition system is working, I suspect draining the tank and using fresh fuel is the way to go ultimately.
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doh!
