Thowman's PB

Right.

Oil leak sorted. Took fuel pump off again and covered everything in silicon, and no more leaks. Discovered water leak from thermostat cover (I believe). Wasn't there when restarted engine. To investigate.

While the fuel pump was off, took the opportunity to send some compressed air up the fuel line. Heard tank expanding then had a load of pressurised fuel coming back up the line. Forgot to remove the filler cap. When I started the engine, the fuel pump was delivering much more fuel into the carb, visible through the filter. So, I suspect that there was some crap in the line. Now seems that the fuel starvation is sorted as the test run revealed no problems.

One thing has sprung to mind. I recently fitted a replacement gasket to the fuel filler cap as it was leaking when the tank was full. When I fired the compressed air up the fuel line, shouldn't the breather have let off the pressure? If the seal is very good on the filler, and the breather is blocked (or is there one), wouldn't that mean that the pump is creating a vacuum in the tank when working which leads to the pump being unable to provide enough fuel????????

Thoughts?

The other thing that concerns me at the moment is the bottom end is very rattly when standing underneath the sump with the engine running. Not really wanting another big end going......

Andy

Bab's also punished me as I managed to burn my bald bonce on the exhaust while checking the oil seal after refitting the fuel pump.....
 
There is indeed a breather pipe on the fuel tank...when I first got smurf it was blocked...someone had tried to repair a break in it and on trying to fix it had blocked it...it made it run badly and also I could only squeeze a 1/4 of a tank of fuel in! ...so yeah defo worth checking it out:)

''COMMER'EnSayThat''
 
Sounds like you are getting somewhere now :p.
breather pipe is on the top o/s end of the tank and runs back into the filler pipe, so the gasket theory could be right ;)

4650583641_dba2503b41_o.jpg

"You,re only supposed to blow the bloody SLIDING doors off"
 
Andy when you fill the van right up you will sometimes see fuel coming out inside of the filler neck back into the tank (this is normal)so the breather pipe is built in to the filler neck (small metal pipe coming from the filler connected to the breather hose)that can get kinked blocked & results in fuel appearing around the bodywork of the van around the filler cap (I think that is refered to a vapour lock vaccume or something) harder to spot on a hot day had it on Ran & the pipe was kinked,I pinched the pipe wiped body work & didn't have a problem again.

Commer Dandy by Dandy Caravans
The Colonel Mustard
 
Yes, I understand about the breather pipe for the tank, which goes between the tank and filler, but there must be some way the tank vents to the atmosphere so that when fuel is sucked out via the pump, it is replaced by air. How does it do this? Is there a small hole in the filler cap or something?
 
The cap is vented, not sure how - never looked. I had the same problem with a kinked breather pipe on my first van, didn't have a problem with fuel starvation but when the weather warmed up petrol p*s*e* out of the filler cap[xx(]
Your new seal may have blocked the breather bit of the cap:I Just take it off and try it.

th_DCP_9918.jpg

Summer's nearly done
 
tank vents above fuel level inside filler neck get it now ? when you fill tank you may see fuel come round & back into neck.

Commer Dandy by Dandy Caravans
The Colonel Mustard
 
Thanks! I'll check the cap tomorrow.

I know about the tank breather Chris, all tanks have the same basic design, but the thing I couldn't see was the way it was venting to atmosphere when the cap was on. I couldn't see a vent pipe on it.

But anyway, the pump is pumping much better now having blown out the tank to pump fuel line. I'll take her on a run in the next couple of days and see if the issue returns. Blackpool depends on it
 
I think I am right in saying we have Sybhils old tank here known to be ok if it's an emergency need ;)

Commer Dandy by Dandy Caravans
The Colonel Mustard
 
Worst case scenario just drill a tiny hole in the filler cap.

BazRockscropped.jpg
Spare a Commer Guv?
If I told you I was a pathological liar, would you believe me?
 
Fingers crossed

It was quite comical today when I had pressurised fuel coming out of the fuel line and spraying all over the place. I think I used just a bit too much compressed air. I could hear the tank expanding :). I got covered in Petrol spray while I had to yell for help and spent about 4 minutes with my thumb over the end of the pipe. Should have remembered to take the fuel filler cap off.
 
Well. Taken Babs for a 20 mile run today. No issues with oil leak, water leak or fuel starvation. However, it's still very rattly. Filled up the tank. Only managed 17 mpg since the last refill. Not fantastic.

I am going to reset the tappetts tomorrow and I guess I will make a decision how I am getting to Blackpool on Thursday when Baz has been around to give me his opinion. Not exactly sure where on the engine the rattle is coming from, but hopefully resetting the tappets will do the trick. Will also loosen the fan belt and run it without it taught just to rule out the alt and water pump (which is newish anyway).

Fingers crossed.
 
Harveys engine sounded very rumbley until I retarted the timing a touch, nice and smooth now:)

th_DCP_9918.jpg

Summer's nearly done
 
Mines more rattles than rumbles - as you'll hear if I ever make it to Blackpool. Going to get Baz to sit in the pass seat and set the timing by ear by going up the hill and adjusting until it pinks and then retard until it goes.
 
Had Baz around this morning to have a listen to the engine, reset the tappets yesterday and he was bringing his vacuum gauge over. While there is a small rattling at idle, he thinks I am being a bit paranoid. So, shall be taking Babs back to Pandy next week for the Imp meeting. Let's hope that I make it all the way there this time as I don't know how many imps would be needed to tow Babs into the camp site this time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top