Fuel problem?

[Donald360]

Twice now I have broken down with the same symptoms. Starts up fine from cold and then drives no problems at all. Then, after being parked for a little while, the van starts ok once more but then loses power after only a couple of minutes and will not start until it has been left for a while. The first time this happened the AA chap suggested it might be a vapour lock in the fuel line. It was difficult for him to diagnose anything more obvious because by the time he came the van could start again and seemed fine.

Once home, I noticed that the fuel line in the engine bay was being held close to the hot water pipe from engine to radiator. I re-routed the pipe and also put a clear fuel filter in place in the engine compartment so I could see if fuel was getting to the pump.

Took the van for a run and everything seemed great, until the exact same thing happened again! The trouble is its very hard to pin down as sometimes after being parked, the van goes great as if there is no problem. However, this time when it did conk out, I noticed that the fuel filter in the engine bay was empty.

Is it possibly the fuel pump that is to blame? Perhaps a leaky diaphragm? Or a worn pushrod? The pump itself was replaced about a year ago. I have also replaced almost all of the ignition system recently. The van has a 1.9 DG - 1985 wbx engine. Or could an air leak at the carburetor go back along the fuel line?

I'm really struggling to get my head round this one as it is so unpredicable. My wife won't travel in the van now in case it breaks down somewhere really awkward (again).

Thanks
Donald.

[cosmicsheep]

Sounds very similar to the problem i'm having with mine. I've already replaced the fuel filter and fuel pump but last week when it broke down again, i immediately went to swap the fuel filter again and noticed that no petrol leaked from the tank when i did so. My next job is to remove the fuel tank to make sure it isn't full of rubbish.
Just a thought.

Cosmic

[NicBeeee]

Hi

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... 6&start=15" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There was a thread on here recently with someone with identical probs, It seems the problem was solved by the owner putting a non return valve on the fuel.

[Donald360]

Ok. So far I have replaced the fuel filter and put a non-return valve in the fuel line. I also replaced the push rod for the fuel pump, as it was worn. So far no issues, but have only taken it for a short test drive. It'll be a few days before I can do anything else as I have now pinged something in my back and can hardly move now - rats!

Still not sure if I've got to the bottom of this yet...
Donald.