Fuel Pump

alfano21 · Post by **alfano21** » Wed Oct 02, 2002 8:14 am

Can anyone describe the symtoms and sounds of a bad fuell pump? I can be driving down the road then all of a sudden my car quits on me. It feels like no gas is getting to the carb. My timing, points, plugs and carburetor are at spec and when tested are functioning just fine.

Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions.

wine country ghia · Post by **wine country ghia** » Wed Oct 02, 2002 9:50 am

Yep sounds like classic fuel pump mine was intermitent where it pumped when it wanted to
so the car would run for awhile then die catch the pump right run for awhile then die ect so I'd say change the pump otu I think I paid $20 bucks for mine and has been good ever since

-WCG

Post by **Marc** » Wed Oct 02, 2002 9:53 am

Fuel pumps don't go bad very often. After your car sits for a while will it start up and run again? The pushrod for the pump could be too tight and hanging up, but that's very rare.
Most likely is that there's crud in the tank that accretes around the pickup strainer as you drive, then falls away temporarily once flow stops.

GhiaMonster · Post by **GhiaMonster** » Wed Oct 02, 2002 1:40 pm

I vote for crud in the tank. I had the same thing driving me nuts (run, stop, rest, run...). Found that no screen was left and a piece of crap right in the end of the pickup.

------------------
Mike
'69 Ghia - Primered but it's mine!

wine country ghia · Post by **wine country ghia** » Wed Oct 02, 2002 2:41 pm

All I can say is don't rule out the fuel pump a old time aircooled guy looked at my car and thought the exact same thing he blew out the tank cleaned screen ect still the problem was there replaced the pump no problems ever since.

-WCG

Post by **Marc** » Wed Oct 02, 2002 2:49 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by wine country ghia:
<B>All I can say is don't rule out the fuel pump
</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Fair enough. I was just pointing out that crud-in-the-tank is much more frequently encountered than a bad pump. Probably on the order of 10 to 1 at least, and that doesn't count all of the cars that have the problem but it hasn't been noticed because they only do short putts on surface streets.

nabkhas · Post by **nabkhas** » Wed Oct 02, 2002 7:55 pm

Could be the fuel pump. Here are some other things you might consider. I'm assuming you have a fuel filter and you replace it periodically? A dirty filter can restrict fuel flow. Also, if the tank is full of crud, chances are some of it will also appear in the filter. Next, you might check the float bowl on the carb(s). Make sure it's clean and that nothing is clogging the jets. Is this a recent development or persistent issue? I have seen a tank of bad gas do similar things.

alfano21 · Post by **alfano21** » Thu Oct 03, 2002 10:47 am

Thanks everyone for your suggestions !!!

To answer a few questions. This entire situation began when I first tried to change my stock vaccuum distributor to an electronic ignition (Pertronics). Everything was working fine until then. I have now changed back to the stock/points and for about three everything worked fine. It generally happens in the morning right after I start the car. A few miles down the road it does it again. Then it could be 10 more miles and happen again.

Post by **Marc** » Thu Oct 03, 2002 11:05 am

Do you have spark when it conks?
Does it suddenly go dead as though the key had been switched off (possible coil problem)or can you make it run for a second or so longer by fanning the gas pedal? (back to fuel delivery).

alfano21 · Post by **alfano21** » Thu Oct 03, 2002 11:17 am

Marc, once it goes dead, it dies. I changed the coil thinking that was it, but to no avail. I trie stepping on the accelerator pedal and no go. I have turn the key off and restart or clutch start. When restarting with the key it starts just fine, then sometimes is immediately quits. After three to four starts it takes off for quite sometime and sometimes for ever before quitting in the middle of the freeway at times. Very frustrating to say the least.
Thanks, KG Rookie

Post by **Marc** » Thu Oct 03, 2002 11:24 am

So you've had the same symptom using two different ignition systems...but is there spark? Don't rule out something as simple as a bad ignition switch (does the generator light come on as the engine conks?)
Take off the aircleaner and see if the accelerator pump nozzle is squirting fuel when you stroke the throttle the next time it stops; maybe carry a little gas with you and put a tablespoonfull down the carb to see if it fires up on that.
You've got to find out if it's spark or fuel that's missing - you can't bark up the right tree if you're in the wrong forest.

TxGhia · Post by **TxGhia** » Thu Oct 03, 2002 1:09 pm

I have been in the exact same situation as you and have so far (crosses fingers) been cruising without any stalling. Here's the skinny.

I got my Ghia and immediatly installed a pertronix setup, about 2 or 3 weeks later it starts stalling. So for the next few weeks I was told that it was crud in the tank, bad fuel pump, bad coil or a clogged fuel filter, yes it could be all of these things, but it wasn't. I stalled on the highway probly around 50 -75 times during these weeks, Dallas is a big city and it is my only car. VERY frustrating. Just last night a friend of mine installed a pertronix that he's had for a little while, bam, that night for the first time he stalls on the middle of a bridge on a highway without a side lane.

I have drafted a letter that I will send Pertronix, because this is happening to ALOT of people lately. Believe me the pertronix is out, points are now my best friend.