fuel starvation?....symptoms? and remedies?

Post by **kevtherev** » 27 May 2006, 19:36

1.9dg pierburg 2E3

Any one have some thoughts or experience on symptoms

and how did you fix it

I have checked fuel pump delivery and it is very good, plenty of pressure/flow

Post by **Cate** » 27 May 2006, 19:41

What symptoms did you get Kev? mine has at times 'pulled back' and 'stumbled'.

Website · Post by **dbroada** » 28 May 2006, 07:39

I fitted a larger than normal fuel filter and my possible fuel starvation went away.

Post by **kevtherev** » 28 May 2006, 19:37

Would water in the carb float bowl from the tank create the ilusion of starvation?...misfire... cutting out

reason, we ran the engine with the pump disconected and collected the petrol in a jug, to my amazement there was about 200mls of water in the half liter of fuel pumped out

Which begs the question...how much is in the tank?

can I drain it (the tank)
This is the first time we've ever let the fuel drain so low

Website · Post by **dbroada** » 28 May 2006, 19:59

last week I threw away the replies to my post of 2 years ago. My symptoms were very lumpy running and inability to pull. I am sure water in fuel was one of the suggestions. Somebody else had a similar problem but only after washing the van. I think it was suggested that a hole in the filler tube would let water into the tank.

As mentioned above I fitted a bigger filter & re-roted my fuel lines and my problems went away.

Post by **kevtherev** » 28 May 2006, 20:33

did you find any water?

Website · Post by **dbroada** » 28 May 2006, 20:42

I didn't but I am sure the other sufferer did.

Post by **Headley18** » 28 May 2006, 21:37

Kev!! Why are you worrying about that expensive stuff??? Just run on gas

Post by **kevtherev** » 28 May 2006, 21:47

Pete
You are correct of course
I think I'd like to get to the bottom of it though.

Is water ingress to the tank a probability from say... jet washers? Heavey rain, fords, puddles etc

Post by **Cate** » 28 May 2006, 22:43

Yes, the tank being U shaped could collect dirt and muck in the channel, this could allow the tank to rot out, allowing water in.
The rubber grommit bit that the filler pipe goes through to get into the tank could be perished? this would allow water that has sprayed up from the wheel to run into the tank.
The rubber sleeve just behind the filler cap perishes easily and could allow water in, but I cant imagine it would let much in unless it is a very bad state but I think you'd have noticed when filler her up.

Post by **kevtherev** » 28 May 2006, 23:02

Hmmm I have in the past had a strong pong with anything over threequarters full ever since Ive had the van.

can you drain the fuel tank easily?

Post by **Cate** » 29 May 2006, 07:32

I believe not. If you are getting strong pongs then ideally you need to drop the tank and replace all the grommets, pipes and that rubber sleeve at the top.
Thats on the list for mine, JK do all the grommets.

Post by **HarryMann** » 29 May 2006, 09:18

Would water in the carb float bowl from the tank create the ilusion of starvation?...misfire... cutting out

Yes.

One way of clearing the odd bit of muck out of a jet of a fixed jet carb is to take the air filter off and whilst revving up block the choke inlet with flat of hand.. depending what rev-band the engine is going throuhg at the time, the suction often pulls the muck out or dislodges it... won't work with a bowl full of water though.