V8 that wont run.

F

Fizza

New Member
Drove my car home the other day after having some welding done on the jacking points. The car drove home with no problems at all, But i was running low on fuel. Arrived home,went in to get keys for garage and came out to restart car. Engine started but slowly lost power and came to a stop. Put in some petrol but engine turns over and will not fire. Tried it again the next day but no luck. Ihave looked at fuel filter today and it is empty. Could it be the fuel pump. (Mechanical). Any ideas would be appreciated.
Cheers.
Simon.
 
I reckon when the tank is full the pump doesn't do alot, if you ever undo the pipes on the pump - it just spews out petrol.

Had a similar intermittent starting problem with my V8 when the tank was on the low side, which I suspected was the none return valves in the pump sticking.

Its been fine since I did a service kit. The valves are a pain to get in and out though !.

When you disconnect the pipe into the pump make sure you have a long piece of rubber tube handy to stick over the end, as this is lower that the bottom of the petrol tank, as long as the pipe is higher than the tank you won't loose anymore petrol.

A box spanner, or long socket is needed to get at one of the nuts on the pump - no room for spanner or normal socket.

Good luck, John
 
if you totaly ran out of petrol you may well have sucked some gunk into the fuel pickup in the tank, this will stop fuel getting to the filter as well.
 
Thanks for your replies. Took off the petrol pump thisafternoon and i will have to source a repair kit over the next few days.
 
Why don't you go for an electric pump. Fitted one to my car. Supplied by J.R. Wadhams. Approx. £ 50,- incl. engine blanking plate. The V8 now fires straight away. Done in less than 30 minutes.

:D
 
Would suggest that while Fizza has the pump off , he blows through the fuel pipes with compressed air to shift any debris
If it's clear you 'll hear the air bubbling in the petrol tank

Re the electric pump , does that help the car start when it's been standing for a week? Mine needs a lot of turning over , but if it's only been a day or two it will fire straightaway

Dave
 
If your car's been sitting for a while all the petrol will evaporate from the carb's so you need to crank a while with a mechanical to refill them. With an electric pump you can prime the carb's by turning on the ignition for a 10-15 seconds before cranking. hen you'll have fuel is ready and waiting for that first spark.
 
Got to admit that I have never had to work on a Rover 'mechanical' petrol pump but cant see the inner workings and principal being any different to that of Minis, Vauxhalls, and VW's I have looked at. The inside of them consists of a rubber diaphragm and valves with the push rod moving the diaphragm as it follows the shape of the engine cam.

Therefore with the pump removed (and remembering which of the 2 pipes from it went to the carburettors) it is possible to test the pump.
Place 2 lengths of pipe to it and place the pipes in a jar/beaker/mug of fuel. Push the plunger (it should return back as there should be a spring inside) and as fuel goes in you will feel it get stiffer. As you operate the plunger raise the pipes in turn from the jar/beaker/mug (ensuring one end remains in the fuel) and see if the fuel is being pumped as you operate the plunger. Once the correct pipe is in the fluid (the suction side/pump inlet/pipe that connects to pipework from the tank) and if the pump is in working order you should see fuel flowing as you work the plunger/pump.

If fuel is flowing then the pump is okay and the fault lies with the fuel lines, filter or tank.

Did you try switching to the reserve setting as sometimes this works (It does however indicate a possible fault in the fuel lines).

I would definatly consider blowing air back through the fuel pipe to the tank (but remember to remove the filler cap or the back pressure could cause you to be covered in fuel).

Good luck and hope you sort it
 
Ok everyone thanks for the advice. I didnt know i could replace the pump with an electric one and have received my service kit from wadhams today so i will have to press ahead. I will blow air back through the fuel lines,thanks for that tip. Hope to do the job on sunday. I will let you know how i get on.
Cheers.
Simon.
 
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