XC Falcon - 3.3l problems sucking fuel...

[Nitephyre]

Ok, i'm at my wits end with the fucking car.. so here's the deal.. It's not sucking fuel.

It's got a BRAND NEW fuel pump, brand new filters x2 (one before fuel pump, one right on fuel tank outlet), brand new rubber joints for fuel line connections, fuel tank PROFESSIONALLY cleaned out. YES it does have fuel in it. Also, the carbie (standard Stromberg) has had a new needle & seat installed and cleaned out.

can ANYONE shed any light on my problem before i give up and send it to my mechanic...

cheers, matt

[C0V3R]

Have you filled the fuel lines? Have you started the engine to get the fuel pump running at a decent speed (by squirting some fuel down the carby/intake)?

[ActioN75]

what exactly do you mean its not sucking fuel? Do you mean there is no fuel leaving the carby??? this can be checked by taking all the plugs out and turning over the engine, fuel and air will come out of the plug holes, albeit small amounts. or once the plug are out, clean and dry them really well, put them back in but dont put the leads on and turn it over, they should get covered in fuel.

make sure fuel is getting to the carby too. its a little dangerous and messy, but if youre careful, take the fuel line off the carby and turn the engine over, fuel should piss out at a good rate, or better yet, take the return line out of the tank and do the same. to make it less messy, get an extra length of hose direct the efflux into a bucket ( dont use it again, give to the lawn mower!!!).

that is the best way i can think of to makie sure fuel is getting to the engine. try that first...good luck.

[Nitephyre]

no, i mean the fuel pump is not sucking fuel, ie.. there is none in the pump... did the plug takey outey thing too, no luck...

[FastEHHolden]

The pump has to be primed..they have next to no suction.

[Nitephyre]

ok, so how do i prime it?

cheers, matt :|

[C0V3R]

You prime it by letting some fuel come through the fuel line, then connecting it up to the pump. Clean up any spillage, do everything in an outdoor area to reduce the fumes. When there are NO fumes left from the spillarge, pour a little fuel down the carby to get it going.

[Nitephyre]

well i got it primed at least. ive also blown out the fuel line with an air compressor.... and still no go. now ive done everything i can think of.. ideas?

[Cookiemonster]

Torch it.

[Nitephyre]

haha you dont know how much ive been thinking of that lately cookie... if only insurance would see -my- point of view...
since being regoed in october, it's had a total of 1.5 months i think driving time...

[hotgemini]

Excuse my ignorance... mechanical fuel pump? Does it have a spacer between itself and whatever it bolts to? do you have one spacer or two? It shouldn't be hard to test a fuel pump.

Once I swapped one 4A-C for another once for friend and had a real fun time, the pump on the motor we put in had a hole in the diaphram and was f#cked (but we didn't know this), so as a system of elimination we then swapped across the one from the old motor. However that didn't help so we started to refit the pump that came with the motor but then noticed we'd had two of the spacers fitted, so we removed one and fitted the pump that came with the new motor... still no joy, we then bench tested both pumps and finally discovered the leaking diaphram from the new pump, we refitted the old pump and drove the car away having wasted 5 hours.

[gtst4]

Is it mechanical or electric?

Stupid Q, but you do have it plumbed the right way round?

If its mechanical, you do have the lever arm riding the cam properly?

The fuel tank is venting properly, letting air in to replace the fuel being taken out? Try it with the fuel cap off.

The fuel return (carb to tank) is clear?

[Nitephyre]

mechanical, off the block

no spacers needed

plumbed properly

lever arm riding properly

no return line to tank, the carb just vents into atmosphere atm (not connected to charcol canister)

same with the fuel tank

and no go with cap off

so yeah, you see my dilema... ive been avoiding it, but i might just try my two old pumps again... just in case... :|

[HoonBoy]

You aint going to like this one, but it's one way of making sure you have primed the pump properly.

Disconnect the coil so there is no chance of the engine accidently starting. Remove the fuel line after the fuel pump. Whilst the engine is cranked over, suck on the fuel line, forcing the fuel through.

It tastes like shit, and aint pretty, but it works.

[gtst4]

Have you tried manually operating the pump?

Are you absolutely the pump is sucking? Stick a finger over the inlet fitting while you work the lever - it should try and suck your finger into the pump. And it should create pressure when you stick your finger across the outlet fitting.

Can you see / feel the cam working while the engine is cranking?

Is the rear filter filling with fuel? Will fuel simply siphon thru the rear filter if you disconnect its outlet?

Last resort, fit an electric pump (up the back, because leccies certainly don't like sucking fuel, much rather push).