No fuel through pump? - SOLVED - and a warning

[Smiffo]

Boyd really knows how to try my patience..!!
Today I was going to take it out for a run before I started messing with the gear linkage - I left it until now to make sure I had a few days in which I wouldn't need to use him.

He was running happily on the drive while I went back in to grab some bits, and when I came out, he decided to just die right there and then...
In my face - like a kid that didn't want to go out..!!!

Long story short, I think there is no fuel getting to the Carb.
Originally thought it was a spark issue as I have recently changed Distributor, but adding a bit of fuel to the Carb sees him start straight away for 5 or so seconds before the fuel gets used up in there...

So far I have climbed underneath and disconnected the fuel line to the tank to check for a blockage. Fuel doesn't run out with pipe disconnected at the tank, but if I suck it comes easy.
Blowing you can clearly hear bubbles in the tank.
( Shouldn't fuel just drain out of the pipe when I disconnect it from the tank? )

I will get the misses to turn the van over when she gets home, and see if petrol gets pumped up through the fuel pump, but I wanted some other tips from here of things to try too before I can do that, if possible.

[CJH]

Fuel doesn't run out with pipe disconnected at the tank, but if I suck it comes easy.
Blowing you can clearly hear bubbles in the tank.
( Shouldn't fuel just drain out of the pipe when I disconnect it from the tank? )

Whenever I've disconnected the hose from the tank spigot fuel has drained out quite fast, yes, but I don't think that's where you've disconnected is it - you don't say exactly where you disconnected the hose from. Do you have a fuel filter near to the tank? Is the filter still in the line that you're blowing down? Is the remaining hose long enough that you're perhaps holding it above the level of fuel in the tank? You haven't simply run low on fuel have you?

[CJH]

Fuel doesn't run out with pipe disconnected at the tank...

My mistake - you did say. So nothing comes out of the spigot, but when you blow down the tank spigot directly you can hear bubbles. That's odd.

[dave friday]

Blocked filler cap? If you take the cap off does the fuel come out on its own?

[Smiffo]

Thanks both.

Yes, it's weird.
I've walked to the petrol station, filled another can of fuel and put that in too - probably about a tenners worth of fuel in there now...

I also left the cap off when I tried it, so it isn't a vacuum stopping it draining out.
The drive is on a slight slope away from that corner of the van ( pipe under drivers side ) and there is a filter there, but when I disconnected the pipe between tank and filter I am able to hear bubbles when I blow into the tank, so the fuel level must be above the outlet point, but doesn't drain out on its own without sucking....

It's odd isn't it?

I'm thinking if I put the fuel line to the engine through the filter into a petrol can, so that the can effectively becomes my fuel tank, and try it that way, would that work?
In my head it will, but would appreciate some input before I go off on a tangent.

[itchyfeet]

If the tank is low fuel won't come out when pipe is removed, if tank is fuller fuel will pour out.

pipe goes in then bends down hence bubbles but no fuel, don't be so tight fill it up

check fuel delivery when cranking by removing pipe from carb and poiting into jar, disconnect coil for safety.
you should get healthy spurts of fuel

[Smiffo]

If the tank is low fuel won't come out when pipe is removed, if tank is fuller fuel will pour out.

pipe goes in then bends down hence bubbles but no fuel, don't be so tight fill it up

check fuel delivery when cranking by removing pipe from carb and poiting into jar, disconnect coil for safety.
you should get healthy spurts of fuel

Jeepers itchy - no one ever hinted at me being a tight a*** before..!!


It's definitely got fuel in it, but I will chuck some more in lol

[itchyfeet]

It's definitely got fuel in it

it's not that then, best to test flow at carb then work from the test result.

[Smiffo]

It's definitely got fuel in it

it's not that then, best to test flow at carb then work from the test result.

Well it had enough to hear bubbles when I blew into it from underneath - and I've put another Jerry can ( about a fivers worth ) into the tank.
I did run it low, so am wondering whether there is a bit of muck in there that clears when I blow into it.

Misses still isn't home so I walked down the pub to waste some time..!!
I will get her to turn the engine over while I watch for fuel tomorrow now.
Gotta get my priorities right..!!

[itchyfeet]

possibly, if that were the case then reconnect and it should start.

[Smiffo]

possibly, if that were the case then reconnect and it should start.

Will do Itchy.
Kinda hoping it isn't s**t in there though....

I don't need another issue to look at, I still haven't done the last two yet..!!
( I know it isn't the right thread here, so posted a reply on my other one ref carb change out. )

[itchyfeet]

you have to get used to issues with a t25
it's the learning curve, you will soon get on top of it but the issues will always crop up

don't jumpnto conclusions when fault finding you have afterall just changed dizzy, check fuel delivery first

[Smiffo]

Update.

Didn't get round to it yesterday, spent the afternoon in the pub and then with me having to work nights tonight and the misses at work all day, I had no `cranking partner` today.
What I did do was manage to suck fuel up from the tank, through the fuel lines to the fuel pump.
Re-connected and then tried it.

Still no joy.

I have the batt on charge for the time being as it was running a bit low after all the attempts at starting.

Could this be a fuel pump issue, or even `porous` fuel lines that are letting a bit of air in so there isn't enough suction?

Without the cranking partner to work with, I am a little stumped.

As a side query, I was also wondering about a one-way valve to fit in-line, so that fuel can not run back down the fuel lines.
I know that won't be the issue per se, but is that an option? - or is there already one somewhere?

Gonna have to wait until boxing day now though.

[itchyfeet]

don't jumpnto conclusions when fault finding you have afterall just changed dizzy, check fuel delivery first

[Smiffo]

don't jumpnto conclusions when fault finding you have afterall just changed dizzy, check fuel delivery first

Ok - cranking partner first - I get it