Fueling problems

nick3814 · 07-15-2008, 12:52 PM

Hi Lads, IGot home this morning at 4am from the Le mans Classic, car running like a pig!! It all started on the trip up from Le mans. She went great over the weekend and after running round the parts of the track available on the Sunday night with only a 1/4 of a tank of fuel left I filled up for the trip home (some french filling station, can't remember the name), so set off for Dunkerque and within an hour she started popping and farting and refusing to rev past 3000 revs, once we stopped for a break I spoke to the lads I was travelling with who had the same fuel and they seemed ok, so we started off again and for 20 mins she was ok then it started again, pops and bangs from the exhaust and a refusal to rev so at this point I'm thinking it must be that fuel!

So we arrived at the port and then she refused to start! Couldn't hear the fuel pump on turning the key so checked the fuses and the fuel pump fuse was badly positioned and was burnt (as if it had been arcing), changed the fuse and she started great, got on the ferry happy as larry convinced I had sorted the problem, obviously the fuel pump had been cutting on and off!!

Once back in blighty it started again and gradually got worse, checked fuse which is now fine. Filled up with some BP as it was all we could find at the time (I usually use shell V power) and it got to the point where I could run for about 30 - 50 miles as the power got less and less before pulling over, resting her for 5 mins and then off again, so its now had a full tank of BP through the system and still doing it. She starts no problem, idles as normal but doesn't sound as smooth but won't rev past the 3 and pops and bangs still!!

Is it possible that the incident with the fuse has damaged the fuel pump?

Any ideas lads?

jtfreels · 07-15-2008, 01:36 PM

Lets see, you've been to the Le Mans Classic, had a great weekend and now you come whinging to us! Hope you had a great time

No real help here but oddly enough had the second part of your problem this weekend myself. Car just wouldn't start, checked the fuse and it was blackend and part of the wire going into the top was burned. Trimmed the end of the wire and replaced the fuse, got me on my way.

I've not experienced the loss of power etc that you describe. The resting bit does sound like cooling off, could the fuel pump be getting over heated?
Could it be fuel accumulator some how?

Sorry not much help, but I would like to see photos of the weekend!

Jay

ossiblue · 07-15-2008, 05:51 PM

Only a guess, but it does sound like a possible fuel pump on it's way out. The fuse may not have been the cause but rather the effect of a pump motor pulling more amps as it breaks down. Don't discount the other fuel components mentioned either but the fuse, sputtering, gradual loss of power could be from inadequate fuel pressure/delivery volume. Keep us informed, and good luck.

nick3814 · 07-16-2008, 02:03 PM

Started today with the fuel filter after speaking with a mechanic mate of mine, picking a new one up tomorrow from Europarts so took the old one off ready! The fuel that came out of the none filtered side was bloody filthy!! Obviously quite a bit came out to start with when I discontected it, I then shook it over some white kitchen towel and the stuff coming out was really dirty, theres no record of the last time the filter was changed in the history but the manufacture date on the filter is sept 93' would you expect to see that sort of muck being held by the filter??

nick3814 · 07-17-2008, 12:02 PM

Its unbelievable!! Fitted new fuel filter this afternoon, took her for a spin and she's transformed, flippin great, pulling through all the gears revs right the way round every time, not a hint of a stutter , pop or fart!!

I'm convinced it was that french petrol I picked up

Would it be worth running some reddex or the like through the system now when I put fresh fuel in??

Craig · 07-17-2008, 12:19 PM

I would probably change the fuel filter a little more often than every 15 years!

The french petrol may have been little dirty, but it was probably a combination of your old filter and the gas. If you filter was 'less than pristine', and then you add dirty fuel, your poor fuel pump was probably about to blow up trying to push the fuel through. That is my guess as to why the fuse and wires were burnt.

Glad you got it sorted out!

Craig

ossiblue · 07-17-2008, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

I would probably change the fuel filter a little more often than every 15 years!

The french petrol may have been little dirty, but it was probably a combination of your old filter and the gas. If you filter was 'less than pristine', and then you add dirty fuel, your poor fuel pump was probably about to blow up trying to push the fuel through. That is my guess as to why the fuse and wires were burnt.

Glad you got it sorted out!

Craig

Always great to hear of a solution that turns out to be relatively inexpensive. Congratulations on dodging the "New Fuel Pump" bullet!

nick3814 · 07-19-2008, 10:15 AM

I might look at changing the pump still during the winter, its probably had to work quite hard during this episode and appears to be the original so at 25yrs old it won't be as efficient as it should be.