Club 80-90 Forums

So... We jave been doing a 3 day journey to somewhere near La Rochelle. On day three we set off to our final destination.

The wife was driving and as we were starting to look for a petrol station the van started to struggle as if we were running out of petrol. It would sort of chug or kangaroo, loss of power during normal acceleration. But only little short sharp bursts. I suspected we had less fuel than the gauge was showing so we pulled over. A little while later nd a lot of messing around we had fuel back in the tank. Ran as before no problem. So then we fill up and are in our way. Problem solved? No.

We are now seem to be going through fuel like its nobodys business. I have been underneath on numerous occasions and cant see/ smell any leaks. Added to this when we get to what i would say a point of needing to start looking for fuel again we get the chugging/kangaroo/short burst of no power. When we fill her up its all fine.

Im suspecting we have some dirt/smeg in the lines from running low, but that doesnt explain why it only causes the chugging thingy when we are low again. Also the over use of oetrol could be just down to paranoia and a combination of the trailer, stuff on the roof and windy conditions.

Any help would be grateful accepted. The next question will then be, do i limp back home keeping her above halfway ir is it something i will need to get sorted while im here (if yes anybody recommend a garage/translator?)

Until then, the leffe is rather nice.

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It could be crap blocking the fuel filter, but first take the distributor cap off and have a quick check of your rotor arm. I had a similar problem and it was a crack in the insulation on the top of the rotor causing my problem. Changed it and problem solved. Good luck.

Sarran1955 will help. I think you have a problem with compression from valves or rings.

george2490 wrote:Sarran1955 will help. I think you have a problem with compression from valves or rings.

no idea how you came to this conclusion but I doubt it is the problem.

To me running fine with full and and what sound like fuel starvation with low tank says fuel delivery, maybe a blocked filter or the pump is struggling.
It may be that dirt in the tank has moved to the well in the middle where tye pick up point is and blocked the outlet pipe, the act of filling up swirls fuel around dislodging the dirt.
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=152908" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
You could try just adding a few litres next time and see if it runs for longer than the few litres you put in.


Personally I'd keep going with a full tank but if you have any tools there are some things to check like fuel filters or next time it does it stop and pull the fuel pipe off the tank briefly, see if fuel comes out.

itchyfeet wrote:

george2490 wrote:Sarran1955 will help. I think you have a problem with compression from valves or rings.

no idea how you came to this conclusion but I doubt it is the problem.

To me running fine with full and and what sound like fuel starvation with low tank says fuel delivery, maybe a blocked filter or the pump is struggling.
It may be that dirt in the tank has moved to the well in the middle where tye pick up point is and blocked the outlet pipe, the act of filling up swirls fuel around dislodging the dirt.
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=152908" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
You could try just adding a few litres next time and see if it runs for longer than the few litres you put in.


Personally I'd keep going with a full tank but if you have any tools there are some things to check like fuel filters or next time it does it stop and pull the fuel pipe off the tank briefly, see if fuel comes out.

I was suspecting something along these lines (scuse the pun) as im on holiday im thinking i will try and make it home witbout having to disconnect lines and get all mucky. I will save that for the drive in the comfort if my own home. Its just nice to have it confirmed by people with more experience than me. Now im at base camp i will only be runnning aroubd here and there too so will give me chance to see if it can be managed. Will also see if its the wifes heavy right foot thats caused the excessive fuel consumption.

Thanks to all the posters and replies. I will also be having a look at the rotir arm and everything else before i go anywhere else. Had that issue before so I carry a few spare.

Cheers....... God i love this club!

For me it's blocked fuel lines. The crap has moved into the lines and filter and when the tanks full you have a head of pressure that reduces as you consume it. New filter and purging the lines between filter and pump will help, but as has been said the pick up point may also be gunged up inside the tank.

Could be water in the tank, I had similar problems after a wet drive down the M6. Drained some fuel into a jam jar and could see two layers.

Thanks Winchweight and Marlinowner.

Will carry on keeping the fuel above halfway and sort it when back on home soil.

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