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It would not start
Furious D - 27/10/06 at 07:37 AM

Well first bit of good weather this morning for a couple of weeks so i thought i would bring the Tiger Cat into work today. Go out to the garage and it would not start, turning over no problem but not firing.

The last time i used it i was very low on petrol, big que at the petrol station so thought i would do it next time.

So i look under the bonnet to see if there is anything obvious, and the fuel filter has no fuel in it at all, so me thinks i am out of petrol. Jump in the Alfa up the petrol station to fill up the gery can. Come back put the fuel in the Tiger and i think jobs done. (the wife ran out of petrol in the Alfa the other week and it was as simple as that)

The fuel is not reaching the carbs. Now a few questions:

Is it an electric or mechanical fuels pump engine is a 2.0l pinto with twin 45's.

Do i have to prime it somehow?

Would trying to bump it work?

Help me please i want to drive my baby.

Cheers
D

flak monkey - 27/10/06 at 07:41 AM

If its an electric pump it should be located near the tank at the back of the car and you should hear it running when you turn on the ignition. If you can hear it running, let it run for a minute to re fill the system with petrol. (Most electric pumps are self priming)

If you are still using the mechanical pump (its located on the passenger side of the block, just under the distributor) its easiest to disconnect the petrol pipe from the pump, suck some petrol through (dont swallow too much ) and reconnect the pipe. Will save you cranking for ages while the pump primes.

David

jos - 27/10/06 at 07:53 AM

Echoing above really. Youll know if youve got an electric fuel pump as when you turn the ignition on youll hear it whirring. If you dont hear a whir its mechanical so youll need to get the petrol from the tank ideally to the carbs but realistically to the pump by sucking like a goodun.

Tastes orrible btw

Furious D - 27/10/06 at 07:55 AM

Sorry for being stupid but how does the Mechanical Pump work.

D

flak monkey - 27/10/06 at 07:58 AM

Its a diaphragm pump and is actuated by a push rod resting on a cam on the distributor drive (auxiliary drive shaft) shaft.

David

Furious D - 27/10/06 at 07:59 AM

Right OK so the engine has to be running for the pump to work?

Would bumping it work?

Just trying to aviod drinking petrol before dinner tonight.
D

02GF74 - 27/10/06 at 07:59 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Furious D
Sorry for being stupid but how does the Mechanical Pump work.

D


an arm that rides on a special lobe on the cam shaft pushes on a diaphragm with some one way valving.

02GF74 - 27/10/06 at 08:01 AM

quote:
Originally posted by jos
Youll know if youve got an electric fuel pump as when you turn the ignition on youll hear it whirring. If you dont hear a whirr its mechanical ...



... or it has packed in check the fuse/power to the pump, if it is electric.

you need to find the pump - do this by following the fuel line; if it goes to some weird looking lump on the engine block, then mechanical; otherwise there will be a lump with wires = electrical ; if you don't find it, it will be inisdie the tank - unlikely in your case.


If it is mechanical, to prime it remove the spark plugs and turn engine over.

[Edited on 27/10/06 by 02GF74]

flak monkey - 27/10/06 at 08:02 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Furious D
Right OK so the engine has to be running for the pump to work?

Would bumping it work?

Just trying to aviod drinking petrol before dinner tonight.
D


The engine has to be turning for the mechanical pump to work yes. You might have to push it a long way! If it is a mech pump you have, either keep cranking, or take the pipe off. You might not need to suck it () if you can get the pipe low enough under the tank to let the fluid pressure push the petrol through.

David

Furious D - 27/10/06 at 08:03 AM

Looks like i will be sucking, first time for everything, not normally my job

D

marcjagman - 27/10/06 at 08:26 AM

Get 'er indoors to do it for you?

nick205 - 27/10/06 at 10:09 AM

just make sure she brushes her teath before resuming normal duties

Furious D - 27/10/06 at 10:39 AM



I did ask one of the girls in the office who is apparently very good at sucking, she declined though

brynhamlet - 27/10/06 at 11:10 AM

if the carbs are webers or dellortos, take the top of the float chambers, fill them with petrol and it should start and run long enough for the pump suck petrol into the carbs, presuming the pump works

Furious D - 27/10/06 at 11:11 AM

Just checked with the guy i bought it from and it is definately mechanical pump, will see how i get on tonight when i get home.

D

Furious D - 28/10/06 at 10:48 AM

Well got home last night and was straight out to the garage. Took the fuel pipe off below the filter and gave it a good suck , three mouth fulls later attached it back to the filter, pumped the pedal got it through to the carbs and job done

Took it up to the petrol station and filled her up.

Then i take her out this morning and spun it after giving a little to much throttle coming into my road, arse came out ended up bouncing up the kerb. Everything seems ok, i did take a chunk out of the kerb when the big bolts underneath just in front of the back wheel hit it. Seems ok i just hope i have not done anything serious.

Thanks for all the replies

D

DIY Si - 28/10/06 at 05:12 PM

Probably wise to gve all of the suspension a once over and get the tracking etc checked to see if anything's bent slightly. Probably be fine, but worth a check anyways.