Ran Out of Fuel - put more in, what now?

Post by **djsalt** » 27 Mar 2006, 23:28

Hi, this is perhaps more a plee for help rather than a pure question. Although im sure others must have suffered the same problem?

Ok, i have a 1989 1.9l petrol brick, soon after i purchased it last year i ran out of fuel whilst parked on a steep hill. I half filled the tank from jerry cans, but alas it wouldnt start. Someone suggested i pour some fuel into the carb, thus enabling the engine to start for long enough to draw more fuel through. It worked first attempt.
Last week i parked up on the flat, and 4 days later went to use my van, and it looked like i had run out of fuel again, i checked the tank and i was out. Did the same, put a load of fuel in the tank, little in the carb, nothing... and then my battery went flat.
So- the batterys on to charge now, can anyone suggest what i should do? Other than make sure i have enough fuel in the future!

Its been really wet recently so i was thinking wd40 the electrics.
BTW the starter motor seems to turn over fine, the engines just not starting. (sounds like theres no fuel).
Many thanks for any help, i know im not very savy with engines so sorry for the long winded desciption.

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 28 Mar 2006, 00:07

you may have pulled a load of crud from the bottom of the tank through, replace your fuel filter.

Post by **stuckin88** » 28 Mar 2006, 04:48

--I suggest you replace fuel filter & rubber fuel lines as these can fill up with crud---then get some Wynns aerosol carb cleaner from halfords & spray that in yer carb with engine revving--

Post by **Cate** » 28 Mar 2006, 10:47

Dad had this on his van, eventually the fuel pump gave up, could be that on the way out. We replaced it and its fine now. Weve also replaced the fuel filter.

Post by **Mocki** » 28 Mar 2006, 11:10

make sure the fuel filter is where it should be, next to the tank outlet, just under the drivers sill, if it is anywhere else the pump just wont pull the fuel through it, and make sure you only have the one filter, or the pump will die.

Post by **djsalt** » 28 Mar 2006, 15:23

Many Many thanks for the ÃƒÂºber quick responce, i actually purchased new oil (mann) & fuel filters the other day from gsf (very helpful guys in plymouth) so i guess im going to try and slide under the van and change the fuel filter this evening. I hope my fuel pumps ok though, otherwise thats another £38 by the looks of things.
Shall let you know how it goes!
cheers
dave

Post by **djsalt** » 29 Mar 2006, 07:49

The Van is running! cheers for all your help.
I wasnt sure how to safely clamp the fuel hose either side of the fuel filter without it splitting, so i got a friend to put his thumb over the end of the tube.. im sure this is not the way to do it but it worked.
Instead of pouring fuel into the carb again i took the plastic enclosure off and pumped the throttle lever with my finger til i could hear the sound change (fuel comming in i presume?).
Either way after several turns the engine fired up and i drove off.
Thanks again
dave p.s. just picked up merc slk alloys from ebay (£46 with part worns). if anyone knows where i can buy 10mm spacers and longer bolts/studs in plymouth i would be most grateful.