fuel pump revisited.

[alfert]

I know lots has been written, but.... Once again, I have no fuel in carbs. I replaced what was a very new mechanical pump last year. The new mech pump has no bowl. I appears to have also quit. I would like to know if I can mount an electric one in the trunk and leave the mech pump in place. I guess I need a pressure regulator also. Can it also go in boot/trunk? Can anyone tell me a clean/simple solution and wiring requirements?? Any other thoughts appreciated. How can I test exist pump w/o taking carbs off?
Thanks,
Brian

[alexblack13]

There is nothing wrong with your pump.

Fit one of these (or your lecy pump.Your choice) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Primer-Bulb-8 ... 337576b178
Between the tank outlet and the fuel line / pipe. A few pumps and you will fill your Carbs. Turn key and start engine.

Will work fine with the mech' pump. You should only need to use it if you leave the car for (Say a couple of weeks +++)

Cost as shown + a bit of fuel pipe..No wiring and no noise either..

You will now be inundated with how to's...But I have had one of these fitted for a few years and after leaving the car for a month or two I can start my car 1st touch.. But your choice.

Al' ....

Have fun

[nebogipfel]

How can I test exist pump w/o taking carbs off?
Brian

Brian, Testing the pump in situ should be simple. Simply undo one of the carb' fuel pipe unions and crank the engine, fuel should pump out freely. (Careful with stray sparks in that area. )

Seems unlucky to have a replacement pump pack up. Is the pump sucking air on the inlet side, or is there a blockage or obstruction in the pipe or pickup?

Sorry can't help with electric pumps on an Elan.

[alfert]

OK so now I feel really stupid. When the engine quit, it felt like no fuel, I took off the cover to the float bowl and they were empty and car would not start. Hence, it must be fuel pump. NO! I did check and it is pumping, in fact it is pouring fuel into the engine. I pulled plugs and they were soaked. The floats are set properly and are not sticking. The car was running great until it wasn't. After drying plugs, I can start it but only runs at idle, any accelerator and it pours out of carbs.

I did have mains out and idle jets out, but did not change anything. The carbs were synced and are right, the mixture adj is basically at the book recommendation, out 2.5 turns for DCOE 151. Can't understand what would cause so much fuel to flow??

[Henry VIIII]

Possibly a speck of dust preventing the float valve from closing properly.

[bcmc33]

No problem fitting an electric pump with the old mechanical pump still in place.
If there is still no flow, then there is a blockage in the mechanical pump.

[alfert]

Well this morning, I took the carbs apart, lowered the floats(DCOE 151) to 12mm at closure, cleaned the needle valve, blew air and carb cleaner thru everything, started it up, everything worked and went for a ride. No fuel overflow and car ran fine.

I learned not to get "jumpy" sand start making assumptions....... Look at simple stuff first. Thanks for the good advice.
Brian

[collins_dan]

What do you have in the way of a fuel filter between the tank and pump? Since taking it apart and cleaning it has resolved the problem, you might have sediment in your tank or lines that is finding its way into the pump and clogging it. I put an inline fuel filter right off the tank. Very easy to do. Dan

[alfert]

I do not have an in line filter. The does not seem to be room near the tank as there is only a short piece of rubber tube that goes into the bodywork and hooks to a steel line. I guess I could redo that as it would be easier then trying to do it just before the pump. Do you have a picture?
Thanks,
Brian

[ftsoft]

Yes, you can mount an electric pump and leave the mechanical pump in place. I ran this way for years until a Lotus mechanic talked me into going back to the mechanical pump. That original electric pump didn't have a regulator, but it seems that modern available pumps do need a way to modulate pressure.\

Frank

[collins_dan]

I do not have a picture and my car is an S4, so spacing is different. The online filter that I used is only about 3" long. I just cut space out of the rubber tube to accommodate. Dan