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Re: Suspected Fuel Starvation

To: Dave Hiley <dhiley@cadvision.com>
Subject: Re: Suspected Fuel Starvation
Date: Sat, 27 May 2000 22:55:52 -0400
Cc: spridgets@autox.team.net
References: <3.0.5.32.20000527193607.007a3180@cadvision.com>
Dave,
     Assuming you have an electric fuel pump, you can do a flow test.
disconnect the fuel line at the carbs, and put the line into a
container, turn on the ignition and you should have close to a pint
pumped out in one minute. 
If not here are a couple things to look for.
If the flow is slow check for a crimped line or a clogged filter, your
pump may also have a screen on the inlet side that may be clogged.
Keep the line submerged in the gas.
If there is a stream of bubbles you have an air leak on the suction side
of the pump.
Another possibility is that the vent in the cap or to the vapor canister
may be blocked (can't remember the year of your car) causing a vacuum in
the tank try it without the cap on and see what happens.
If all the above checks out, when the problem occurs shut off the car
immediatley and stop (if it is safe to do so of course), pull the covers
of the float bowls and see if there is fuel in there, there might be a
restriction in the line that feeds the back carb if the back level is
low.
Regards,
Peter Samaroo
Charlotte NC
  

Dave Hiley wrote:
> 
> Greetings Listers
> Today I took my car out of the city for the first time since installing the
> 5 speed.  I was cruising in 5th at 4K rpm and it suddenly started to run
> rough.  I put the clutch in and coasted for a few seconds.  The engine
> continued to run perfectly at idle.  I let the clutch out and carried on as
> though nothing was wrong.....for about 4-5 miles then a repeat performance.
>  To cut the story short I made a 120 mile round trip frequently repeating
> the coasting technique.
> 
> The only thing I can come up with is fuel starvation.  It acts just like
> the fuel pump will not quite keep up with the demand and the coasting just
> allows it to refill the float bowls.  If this is a fuel pump problem, I was
> under the impression that the fuel pump was either working or dead.  No in
> between.
> 
> Anybody have any ideas on this one?  If I have to replace the fuel pump is
> there a better alternative than a stock replacement?
> 
> Thanks a lot.  Hope everybody is having a great weekend.
> Dave
> Calgary, Alberta
> 72 Midget
> 
>

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