engine cut out after removing fuel tank

[eddie.eagles]

Removed my fuel tank to get to the fuel sender and am sure everything went back as it should. I did notice that the plastic pipe of the fuel filter was kinked. I went to the garage today as only had put a couple of gallons out of a can (new can, fresh fuel) and kept feeling the vehicle lose power. Got to the garage, £25 of fuel (times are hard till payday!) and set off. Got half a mile when engine cut out on a roundabout! (A very busy roundabout!) Got it to start but everytime tried to set off, it died. Finally managed to get to the side, jiggled the fuel filter and managed to get home without a hitch. Replaced the fuel filter and yet to go for a test run as have the kids and dont want to break down with them in it again.....

I have noticed that the fuel filter only half fills and the flow is not constant, ie, it nearly empties then half fills but never any more. It ticks over fine, doesnt sputter, miss or anything. I'm worried that Ive cocked something up with all the breather pipes. I only had one bit left over after removing the tank..................(joking..........I had 2!)

Any advice would be appreciated, as long as it is in simple terms as I'm a naff mechanic!!

On a seperate note, with fuel sender out and moving the arm up and down my gauge worked fine. Put it all together and NADDA!! could I have an unfloating thingy at the end??

[eddie.eagles]

Before I get any sarcastic replies......NO the tank wasn't out when it cut out. YES it was back in and fuel in it. I realise that my subject header wasn't the best!!!

[VWCamperfan]

As if you would get sarcastic replies on here!

Changing fuel filter should sort it. Sounds like classic fuel shortage symptoms and disturbing tank probably shook up a few bits and blocked it.
Fuel filter is usually only half full unless its mounted vertically upward. The air in the top half of the filter can't go anywhere and so gets trapped in there but this is quite normal and nothing to worry about.
Oh... And its quite possible you may have a hole in your float. Can happen sometimes... And it's annoying to think you have to go through that lot again!

Hold float under some hot/warm water in a bowl and look for air bubbles escaping. If they are you have a hole!

[CovKid]

£25?? Blimey rarely put that in. Been known to put £3 in, sitting below reserve just to get across town. I'm probably being powered by tank sludge! Thats why my carb never gets any muck in it - drank that long ago

[eddie.eagles]

Theres me thinkimg £25 is a mere morsel!! Will give it a run tomorrow. cross ur fingers for me............

[fullsunian]

Well if it ran ok before you took the tank out, then its got to be something you done Check and recheck everything. My guess is you trapped something some where
IAN

[toomanytoys]

Very difficult to trap the fuel feed to engine... but check anyway..
Havent "gorilla'd the clips up on the filter? and crushed the pipe? LARGE fuel filter fitted? small ones dont have enough surface area...

All tank breather refitted and not trapped?

Fuel pump weak and purely coincidence (small fuel filter would place more strain on the pump)

[eddie.eagles]

The fuel filter I got to replace it was much smaller than the last one although it was listed as the correct part. It wouldnt have anything to do with the end of the fuel can (nozzle) falling down into the tank would it??!!

Me thinks its gonna have to come off again...bugger!!!!

Is there an easy way to drain the tank (It ran out of fuel last time which is why I dropped the tank, this time there is £25 in it!)

Can you get to the sender without dropping the tank?

[jaylo264]

unclip the downstream end of fuel filter , put finger over hole , place clean container under finger /hole , remove finger and let petrol drop into container .
But WHY doesnt the fuel tank have a drain plug ? ?
jaylo

[eddie.eagles]

fuel tank off again!!!! This time i checked float and....it floats!!! Then had a really good look at sender and discovered the board was damaged from 29 years of use no doubt. Plugging it in to the cable on the vehicle and then moving it through the different (simulated) levels of fuel discovered that it only geta a reading at the very very top so was pretty sure it was kaput!.. ordered a new from Justcampers £25 and arrived today. Pugged it directly in to cable, moved it up and down and hey presto, we have a working fuel gauge!!!! Yay!!

The downside is its now P*****g it down and i'm supposed to be going away in it Frid so if it dont stop raining i will be getting very wet!! And it better all work after!!!!!!!!

[umgum]

Pugged it directly in to cable, moved it up and down and hey presto, we have a working fuel gauge!!!! Yay!!

wish you`d said this 2 days ago before i put my tank in
my sender isnt working brand new as well from JK never thought of testing it like you have DOH!!!!!!!

[eddie.eagles]

Pugged it directly in to cable, moved it up and down and hey presto, we have a working fuel gauge!!!! Yay!!

wish you`d said this 2 days ago before i put my tank in
my sender isnt working brand new as well from JK never thought of testing it like you have DOH!!!!!!!

It was a nighmare but got there in the end, thropugh trial and error and reading loads of posts on here and the most useful thing was a download of the fuel system on here. Fitted it today, put the fuel back in, started instantly and I now have a gauge saying i have a quarter of a tank!! Feeling a sad git that i am soooo chuffed!!