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General Information => General => Topic started by: jimfoo on September 02, 2007, 04:14:10 pm

Title: fuel problem
Post by: jimfoo on September 02, 2007, 04:14:10 pm

I've been having a hard time starting after sitting for many hours, at least when my electric lift pump hasn't been working, which has been often lately. I was thinking it was the input shaft seal, but upon looking today, I see absolutely no evidence of a leak there or anywhere else on the pump. When I got the engine, the clear tube was on the return, and I left it there, but I have seen no evidence of air, and the engine idles very smoothly. If it had a tiny leak somewhere, just enough to suck some air, and the fuel drained back into the tank, would there be enough fuel left in the IP to start the engine, or does it not hold much at all? Any tips on tracking the problem down.

Title: fuel problem
Post by: burn_your_money on September 02, 2007, 05:05:14 pm

Take some jumper cables and hook both ends up to the negative battery terminal and then hook them up to the starter or the block. I've had this problem on my rabbit a few times and my one car is doing it right now. If that is your problem you'll need to look into beefing up the ground cables.

What is your timing set at?

Title: fuel problem
Post by: jimfoo on September 02, 2007, 07:14:59 pm

I'm sure it isn't a starter problem. I have several grounds and all wires are new. It only happens in the mornings or when the car has been sitting for a while, and the lift pump isn't working. I tried tightening all hose clamps and replaced the IP to clear tube section of line as it did look a little cracked. I put the clear tube in the suction side of the IP now. At first I slowly saw bubbles coming up from the IP, but so far, they seem to have stopped, but I will check later. There are no bubbles when running.

Title: fuel problem
Post by: blkboostedtruck on September 02, 2007, 08:01:37 pm

I suggest installing a primer bulb like the ones they use on out board boat motors ! I use clear line from the steel line to the filter and after the filter and  the return line! it's cheap! pennys a foot! the primer bulb i swear on! if i can pump it up after it's been siting i know i have a leak somewhere! and when i service anything on the IP i can prime the pump right away! and if i have a bad filter or something blocking the fuel line! the bulb will collaps and it's an easy sign to trouble shoot! that little bulb has been great to me ! I recomend everyone to install one!
thanks Duane

Title: fuel problem
Post by: jimfoo on September 02, 2007, 08:14:03 pm

Actually my Racor housing has a built in primer pump on top, but I always forget to use it.

Title: fuel problem
Post by: subsonic on September 02, 2007, 09:07:31 pm

Racors kick ass!  You running a 2-micron?

Title: fuel problem
Post by: blkboostedtruck on September 02, 2007, 09:10:03 pm

does someone have a link to those racors ? I'd like to check them out! maybe get one also!
thanks Duane

Title: fuel problem
Post by: jimfoo on September 02, 2007, 09:19:00 pm

Quote from: "subsonic"

Racors kick ass!  You running a 2-micron?

No idea as I got the filter for free from a friend along with a free element.
 click here  (http://www.asap-supplies.com/toc.php?toc=disp&manage=3&group=RACOR_FUEL_FILTRATION_PRODUCTS&asap=8296100e165c0caf28b99c2bdfc4094c&sub_group=RACOR_Spin_On_Diesel_Filters_120/215/230/245)
is one source for filters. Just do a search, and you will come up with a lot of retailers.  click here  (http://www.asap-supplies.com/store_images/image-new.php?id=301468&img=301468.jpg&desc=RACOR%20FILTER%20ASSY%20230R%20SEETHROUGHBOWL%3Cbr%3EThe%20Racor%20230%20spin-on%20model%20has%20a%20see-through%20bowl.%20%20It%20has%20a%20max%20flow%20of%20114lph%20and%20is%20suitable%20for%20both%20a%20pressure%20and%20vacuum%20installation.%20%20Max%20pressure%20application%202.06%20bar,%20clean%20pressure%20drop%20of%200.008%20bar.%20%20Height%20229mm,%20width%20102mm,%20depth%20102mm.%20%201/4)
looks like mine, though I don't know for sure. The knurled white knob on top unscrews on mine, then gets pushed up and down to prime.
Reading more carefully, "Models 215, 230 and 245 feature built in primer pumps"
Looking at mine, R20S, it is a 2 micron.

Title: fuel problem
Post by: jtanguay on September 03, 2007, 03:41:47 pm

just going out on a limb here, but how long ago have you had an oil change?  my car does the same thing when the oil is due...  plus my engine isn't in the best of shape.  however my electric lift pump helps it start each and every time :)

Title: fuel problem
Post by: jimfoo on September 03, 2007, 05:25:29 pm

Not terribly long ago. It only had one bubble this morning and started right up, so I think it was just sucking air through a hose or connection and draining back to the tank. Engine is probably not even broken in, so compression should be very good, especially with total seal rings, so oil shouldn't matter much.

Title: fuel problem
Post by: jtanguay on September 06, 2007, 11:03:30 am

what kind of lift pump do you have?  i know some of them restrict the flow of fuel when not working, and some of them don't allow any fuel flow when shut off.