No fuel to Carburetor.......

[Sunbear]

Hello,
I appreciate any suggestions as to the solution to my problem.

I have a MKIII Roadster that was purchased already assembled. No major problems, until now.

Car was parked in the garage about 4 months ago, after it wouldn't start. Battery tender has always been connected, so no problem there.....

Tried to start car, no start. Starter and engine turn over, but there is no fuel getting to the carburetor. Fuel lines and filter are clear and unobstructed. Fuel pump is an in line electric that activates when the key is turned on. No fuel or odor of fuel from the fuel pump or fuel line going to carburetor.

No fuel or odor of fuel from gas tank line to rear of fuel pump.

There is gas in the gas tank.

Purchased another new in line electric fuel pump, however, it says "gravity fed". I cannot identify the original fuel pump, as the label and numbers have worn away. Installed new pump and can hear it functioning when key is turned on. However, the same results...... No fuel or odor of fuel in the fuel lines or in or around the fuel pump.

I am guessing I either bought the wrong fuel pump, being "gravity fed", or there is another issue.

I am thinking that the gas tank has a blockage, or there is no vacuum, or maybe even a fuse??? I have no idea........ Anyone have any ideas, please share, I am certainly at my wits end.... Thank you for your time!

My FF5 has a carbureted 302, with nothing special on it.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Wrong pump. A gravity feed pump is just as it sounds; the outlet of the tank has to be higher than the pump...it does not have the ability to siphon fuel upwards through the pickup tube.

Jeff

[Sunbear]

Thank you for the reply! Can you recommend a proper pump please?

[michael everson]

Where are you located? Can you take a pic of the pump you took off? I have found that most gravity fed pumps will work once primed. You might try back filling the fuel line at the engine and reconnecting.
Mike

[Sunbear]

Hi Mike, I am in Modesto, CA. How would I back fill the fuel line at the engine? I am sorry, you are talking to a mechanical idiot here......

[NAZ]

Have you checked the old pump to confirm it really was not pumping? I assume it’s out of the vehicle now where you can use a jumper wire to see if it runs and pumps fluid (preferably water so you don’t set yourself on fire). Make sure you wire it correctly so it doesn't run in reverse. Check the pump to confirm that the pump was the problem before you start throwing parts at the car. If the original pump is really the problem, take it to the local auto parts store where they have counter people that actually know how to repair cars and they can find a substitute universal fit electric pump. If the original pump is not the problem, then reinstall it and start troubleshooting to find the root cause. Here’s a short list of things that could prevent the pump from pumping fuel – you’ll want to check them out. Electrical (fuse, wiring, relay). Fuel line from the tank to the pump (plugged line, plugged in tank strainer, rotted or leaking hose connecting the steel portions of the fuel line, rotted or leaking steel fuel line). Tank vent (plugged). Note: a larger leak in the fuel line between the tank & pump will suck air instead of fuel so you may not see fuel actually leaking, you’ll have to do a visual inspection or use compressed air to find a larger leak here. To check for a plugged line or strainer you can blow air in the line and listen at the tank -- you should hear the sound of air bubbling in the fuel if the strainer is open. Take the cap off the tank before applying air to the fuel line so you don’t pressurize the tank by adding too much air volume or in case you have a plugged vent.

[Sunbear]

Thanks NAZ, will give it a try.

[AC Bill]

Car was parked in the garage about 4 months ago, after it wouldn't start. .

How much was it driven before being parked, quite regularly? Was the gas fresh at that time?
So was all good up until you parked it, or was there any other indications things weren't quite right? Missing, lack of power, previous issues with hard starting, sort of thing?
Have you pulled the distributor cap off, and checked to see if the rotor is spinning? You could also pull off a spark plug lead, and test for a spark.

You could also try drizzling a small bit of fresh gas down the carb, then cranking it over? If you try that, and it actually fires, or runs for a few seconds, you can probably rule out ignition, and distributor issues. Least then you can concentrate on the fuel aspect, as it may turn out that's not it at all.
For safety sake, in case of a carb fire from a backfire, you should keep a wet cloth on hand you can quickly drape over the carb, and an extinguisher nearby. It's rare but it can happen.
It could be a plugged fuel line, but you would think it would have done it over time, and you would have noticed issues with the way it was running. When was the fuel filter last replaced?

[Sunbear]

Thank you for all your help and suggestions. I got it running today, after finding a blockage in the carburetor. Blew some air through the fuel line to the carburetor and eventually a huge blast of fuel sprayed us. It was magnificent! Reconnected the hose and primed the new pump, then it came back to life..... (a bit out of tune, but it is once again alive!) Anyways, thanks again for the help and everyone's time. Now onto adjusting the clutch.......It is way out of whack.....................