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Mar 10, 2016 10:20:00 GMT
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After far too long laid up I'm finally getting some time to work on the Dutton (mostly Mk1 Escort 1300GT underneath the ugly as sin body). This thing -  So far I've sorted various electrical gremlins, cleaned the points and finally get a spark on the plugs, success! This took longer than expected as it's been ages since I've played with something so basic and needed to remind myself how all this worked. Now at the point I think it will be ready to start, but despite gauge reading 1/4 tank I believe the tank was empty. Certainly getting nothing to the mechanical fuel pump and I've sucked on the fuel line in the engine bay and get barely a whiff of fuel. I've stuck some fuel in the tank, and routed the fuel pump outlet to a clear bottle to see if anything is coming through, it isn't. The basic clear fuel filter in the boot is also dry looking so it's not getting through. I crank the engine a good few times but no joy. Should I just think feck it and crank like mad and annoy the neighbours (more) or is it worth trying to prime the system somehow? It's one solid braided line from fuel pump under car to boot, then through the filter and into tank. Is it as simple as sticking a funnel on the fuel line and pouring petrol in? Of course I don't know if the fuel pump has stopped working since being laid up but everything else seems to function as normal (bar electrical issues). |
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Mar 10, 2016 10:34:16 GMT
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Try putting the filter after the pump.
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Mar 10, 2016 11:43:46 GMT
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One that I've had success with before:
Take off the fuel line in the engine bay before the pump, and blow into it a few times, about one second apart.
I don't have a clear reason why this would work, but I did this with my Beetle and it seemed to set up some sort of wave in the tank, and/or clear out blockages. About a second after I had blown into it for the third time, fuel came rushing out!
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gazz81
Part of things
Posts: 842 
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Mar 10, 2016 11:55:48 GMT
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Put some fuel in the carb, it well help to start and with a bit of luck pull some fuel up when it gets going.
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Last Edit: Mar 10, 2016 11:56:03 GMT by gazz81
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PhoenixCapri
West Midlands
Posts: 2,685
Club RR Member Number: 91
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Mar 10, 2016 12:34:53 GMT
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Like gazz81 says, sometimes it can take a fair bit to draw fuel through - used to have a mini that after a 2-3 month lay up needed running for about 10-15s with fuel down the carb before it would draw fuel and run normally. |
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chamba
Part of things
Posts: 199
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Mar 10, 2016 13:10:51 GMT
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I've had the problem where I couldn't draw fuel in the tank through on my Commer that had been laid up a long time. I couldn't get the engine to run long enough on Easy Start to pull the fuel through, so my solution was to put my mouth around the fuel tank filler hole (which like on a lot of old cars, sticks out on the Commer) and blew and blew until the tank was pressurised and fuel was forced through the line.
To anyone watching this would have looked like an obscene act between man and car, but luckily I had the privacy of my garage and it did the trick nicely.
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Mar 10, 2016 14:01:52 GMT
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Thanks for quick response guys. As demonstrated by the dog, the filler is actually just on a rubber riser in the boot (small round silver thing in photo) so blowing into tank should be easy, thanks!  This is the only fuel filter currently in the system (in the boot):  As for filling the carb, it's a Weber unit as per this, so presume I just fill up from the fuel in line?  |
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gazz81
Part of things
Posts: 842
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Mar 10, 2016 14:15:31 GMT
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Take the air filter off and put half a cup straight down the barrel!
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Mar 10, 2016 15:25:59 GMT
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Take the air filter off and put half a cup straight down the barrel! OK will try that, ta! |
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gazz81
Part of things
Posts: 842
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Mar 10, 2016 15:32:53 GMT
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No probs, maybe just start with a jerry cans lids worth to start with, might save the eyebrows!
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vanpeebles
Part of things
I am eastbound in pursuit of a white Lamborghini, this is not a recording.
Posts: 980
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Mar 10, 2016 15:33:54 GMT
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You won't be going on the run with it will you?
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Mar 10, 2016 16:40:29 GMT
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You won't be going on the run with it will you?  |
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vanpeebles
Part of things
I am eastbound in pursuit of a white Lamborghini, this is not a recording.
Posts: 980
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Mar 10, 2016 17:13:51 GMT
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Even if you are wanted, I'm sure you are innocent but I'll say auf wiedersehen for now!  |
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Last Edit: Mar 10, 2016 17:14:05 GMT by vanpeebles
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Mar 10, 2016 18:10:13 GMT
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If you have a compressor, whip the fuel filler cap off and GENTLY pressurise the tank which will force petrol through the system, I've used a blowing off gun and a rag to fill the rest of the filler hole with in the past.
DO NOT put massive amounts of pressure in it, a few psi will do.
If I ever have to start my van on petrol it takes ages to prime up as the system is dry after the mechanical fuel pump as it normally runs on LPG
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Last Edit: Mar 10, 2016 18:11:09 GMT by dodgerover
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Mar 10, 2016 21:07:24 GMT
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Hang on, I think I see your problem.
Why does the fuel line loop up above the tank to reach that inline filter? It's fighting gravity, the line shouldn't really rise above tank level if you can help it.
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Mar 10, 2016 21:38:28 GMT
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Get another fuel filter like the one already fitted. Cut the fuel line at the front of the car (just before the carb if possible) and install the new fuel filter. Disconect the fuel line from the carb and suck on the pipe* until you see fuel in the new fuel filter, then refix pipe to the carb. This should get the fuel from the tank to the front of the car and prime your fuel pump, it's also a handy way to check fuel flow in the future  Remove airfilter and put splash of fuel down the intake, then try to start it. * I'll reword this later if I remember  |
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Mar 18, 2016 16:42:45 GMT
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Thanks guys, did the petrol down the carb approach and worked great, started up for first time in years and then stopped as fuel wasn't getting through from tank yet. I gave it a good blow, will try sucking it and having a play.
Was a successful 1/2 hour in the garage - got engine running, bolted exhaust manifold on and sorted some odd bits. Think it's only sorting the handbrake that prevents an MOT in the near future....
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Mar 18, 2016 18:00:57 GMT
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I gave it a good blow, will try sucking it and having a play. Innuendo bingo? |
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djefk
Part of things
Posts: 844
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Exactly what I thought! Great minds ha!!!
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