Gas gauge stuck on E

[pablo45vt]

Hello,

I'm new to this forum. I have a 1971 914-6 that I acquired 5 years ago. Each winter I put it into the garage, unhook the battery and cover it. Each spring I uncover it, hook the battery up, turn the key and it starts like clockwork. This May, I did the same thing I always do. The car started with no problems. I backed it out of the garage and made it down the drive way when it sputtered out. The gas gauge is on the R however there is gas in the tank. I can't get the car started again. There seems to be fuel flowing to the filter as I unhook the hose and gas pours out. Does anyone have any ideas where I should begin? Is it the fuel pump? fuel relay? fuse?

Any ideas are appreciated.

[quicksix]

drain the old fuel out
check/change the fuel filter

[ein 6er]

Originally Posted by pablo45vt

Hello,

I'm new to this forum. I have a 1971 914-6 that I acquired 5 years ago. Each winter I put it into the garage, unhook the battery and cover it. Each spring I uncover it, hook the battery up, turn the key and it starts like clockwork. This May, I did the same thing I always do. The car started with no problems. I backed it out of the garage and made it down the drive way when it sputtered out. The gas gauge is on the R however there is gas in the tank. I can't get the car started again. There seems to be fuel flowing to the filter as I unhook the hose and gas pours out. Does anyone have any ideas where I should begin? Is it the fuel pump? fuel relay? fuse?

Any ideas are appreciated.

it's probably because you haven't posted any pics of your 6er yet. bad things come to those that don't share pics or details your teener!!

teasing of course, welcome!! sorry you are having problems!!

i'm no expert, that said, 1st you need to make sure you have spark to the plugs and fuel flowing to the carbs.

hopefully you've been putting a fuel stabilizer in it, if not it could be fuel related and you will have to go through the fuel system. if the pump is working you should be able to hear it running when you turn the key on. if you suspect the fuel is bad and the pump works, you can attach a long hose to the pump and use the pump (key on) to pump all the fuel out of the tank, (have fire extinguisher handy!!). look for rust in the bottom of the tank. if there is rust you need to think about puling the tank and resealing it. then a new quality fuel filter and drain and throughly clean your carbs, jets, float bowls, ect ....

also it's always a good idea to clean all your electrical ground connections occasionally. i forget how many there are, there are 1 or 2 in the front trunk by the headlights, another under the dash by the fuse block another by the battery, the tranny ground strap, and maybe a couple of more. bad grounds can cause weird things to happen.

i know, not things you want to be doing now that summer is hear.

get it running and then we'll figure out what is wrong with your gauge.

hope some of this helps. keep us posted and post some pics before more bad things happen!!

doug

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Sounds like old gas to me. Old varnished gas could also cause the fuel level sender to stick.

Check that the fuel pump is operating (you should hear it with the key in), then check for spark at the plugs.

At the very least, I'd drain all the old gas out, re-fill with fresh gas. If it still doesnt start you may have to clean out the jets in the carbs.

[racer]

Carbs would also be a concern. Plugged jets.. "varnish" on the insides etc. Could also have blocked lines after the pump?

Might consider a whole "fuel line" refreshining.. engine compartment lines, lines in the tunnel and those under the tank.

[pablo45vt]

Thanks to all for the replies! I will start on the suggestions this weekend and will post pics to appease the car gods.

I don't think it's the gas though as I do use a stabilizer. I hope I dont have to pull the tank.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The sender is pretty straightforward. Once the expansion tank and/or charcoal cannister are off, it's just held in by a few bolts. There is a float inside a metal cylinder and a couple of wires that metal contacts on the float touches. That's it. If yours is stuck on "E", there's a decent chance that the float is stuck. You can pull it and (after letting the gas drain out of it) shake it around to see if you can hear the float moving.

Actually, if it's stuck then that might be enough to free it up...

--DD