No gas

[Ricosan]

I just took delivery of a 1933 woodie about a week ago. It ran for 4 miles and left me stranded. I’ve had it in my garage since that time and it won’t pump gas from the tank to the sediment bowl. I took the pump off and operated it manually and could feel the suction. I reinstalled it but still no gas to sediment bowl. The car has only 12 miles on it and the pump appears to be brand new. I’ve loosened the gas cap and still no gas. I added 5 gallons of gas to the tank in case the fuel gage was incorrect. Still no gas.
Any help appreciated.
Richard

 

[rockfla]

Assuming a V8??



First, pictures help so we can see which fuel pump you have. First, is there a rubber fuel supply hose from the fire wall to the fuel pump? IF so make sure that it is open as some are not ethanol friendly and can get soft and close up. Second which fuel pump do you have??? IF you have the original then you "may" want to check the gasket under the lid of the pump, the washer seal under the bolt and the bleeder valve and make sure ALL are sealing as they should. Third I would check ALL of the fuel line attachment points from the tank to the fuel pump to make SURE all are tight and NOT sucking air!!!



You are positive its a fuel issue?? NOT a spark issue??

 

[rockfla]

Original 33 V8 fuel pump. As you see I have two that Charlie NY has worked his magic on.....IF you cannot seem to get it going, I'm only 2 hours from you, I could bring one over this weekend and help figure out your issue IF you need.

 

[Tim Ayers]

Have you disconnected the line from the tank to the fuel pump and blown air in there to make sure there isn't a blockage in the line?

 

[jimTN]

Check for blockage then start at the tank. If all is new, there are new feral fittings that are difficult to seal and the connection at the tank could be leaking air. I have had to put a sealer around and in the connection to stop air leaking. The same goes for the connection at your flex line going to the pump. Try your pump by manually pumping it while attached to the flex line. I use modern hose with clamps for flex lines on all my vehicles, not pc but always works. I also put a elec pump near the tank so I can easily start after one has been setting or vapor locks.

 

[corvette8n]

Get yourself one of these handy for checking all kinds of lines, try to pull fuel from the tank under the hood, then work yourself back.

 

[Ricosan]

Rock, yes it’s a V8. I have spark as it will start when a small amount of gas is poured down the carb. All of the seals look brand new. I am posting some photos of the pump here. That’s a very generous offer of help. Thank you but I think I am going to have it fixed soon.

Tim, I have a friend coming over this afternoon. We are going to put air pressure on the gas cap and see if we can “reprise” the system and blow out any blockage.

Jim, both myself and my friend suffer from vertigo and have trouble working underneath the car. I’m hoping blow out any blockage.

Corvette, I’m on my way to Harbor Freight! That looks like a handy tool to have.

Richard

 

[tubman]

You might have better luck blowing from the engine end. If there is anything in the line, it probably entered through the tank, and applying air pressure from that end may just jam whatever it is in tighter.

 

[dakotafarmboy]

If not already mentioned, I would buy a cork gasket to put on top of the sediment bowl. I have had trouble with rubber gaskets (even new ones). Cork seems to seal better than rubber.

 

[rockfla]

If not already mentioned, I would buy a cork gasket to put on top of the sediment bowl. I have had trouble with rubber gaskets (even new ones). Cork seems to seal better than rubber.

There was a thread about this about a week or so ago here on the barn. Might be worth looking back (also related to that type of fuel pump issues I believe)

 

[RalphG]

The gasket on the sediment bowl is a good possibility. Also consider a rust hole in the steel line to the tank. I had that happen on the 39 many years ago. Patched it up with some seal all and tape and problem solved. If you have a good set of lungs you can pressurize that tank enough to force gas into the fuel pump sediment bowl. I've seen it done on my Merc.

 

[tubman]

Although I agree with the superiority of cork gaskets over neoprene, I don't think it's the problem, as the O/P says the pump will create suction on the inlet when operated manually.

 

[deuce lover]

I would first loosen the line at the carb from the pump,then crank the engine to see if in fact gas is reaching the pump.If not pumping maybe try another pump if available.Is the original type sending unit currently in the tank? You can pull the tank sending access cover and disconnect the fuel line then disconnect the line coming from the tank to the fuel pump.With an air hose choose the easiest way to blow the line.Might need a buddy to help you.

 

[petehoovie]

I'd start with the cork gasket....

 

[Ricosan]

Today a friend of mine and I worked on the no gas problem. Here’s what we did.
First we unhooked the gas line from at the sediment filter. We then pressurized the tank and gas flowed. We hooked it back up, poured a little gas in the carburetors (sediment bowl is empty) we cranked the engine, it sputtered and acted like it wanted to start but quit as soon as the primer gas was burned up and no gas came to the bowl
We then then put pressure on the gas tank and the bowl filled. We tried to start it again. No go. It quit as soon as the primer gas was burned.
We then removed the pump from the car and inspected it. Installed new cork gasket at sediment bowl and tightened the diaphragm cover. We cranked the engine and checked that the rod was going up and down. It was.
We reinstalled the pump and primed the engine. No go.
There doesn’t appear to be any gas in the carburetor. We tried starting the engine with pressure in the tank. This should give the same effect as an electric fuel pump, pushing gas to the carburetors. No gas in the carburetors.
I am going to take the top cover off of the diaphragm tomorrow.
Richard

 

[flatford8]

When you have gas in the sediment bowl, take the line off at the carb and put it in some type of container. Crank the engine and see if gas comes out. In one sentence you say “carburetor”, in the next one you “carbuerators”. Do you have two or one? I think you need to dismantle the pump or check the float or floats if you have two carbs…… Mark

 

[Ricosan]

Good morning Flathead, I did that. Yes it has 2 carburetors. I removed the line to the carburetors and screwed a male section of pipe with a rubber hose attached and cranked the engine. No gas. The gas stops at this point. It won’t go through even with the tank pressurized?
I’m going to take the top off of the diaphragm this afternoon.
Richard

 

[51woodie]

Would I be correct in saying, that if the fuel line was disconnected at the carb/s, that gas would flow through to the carb connection when the tank is pressurized?

 

[ford38v8]

Richard, pressurizing the tank will not prove the system due to the internal check valve at the pump. You’ve been advised to check the condition of your flex line. It might look pretty on the outside, but be collapsed mushy rubber inside. That, and/or an air sucking leak will be found to be your problem. These are two very simple and inexpensive fixes that need to be addressed before trying to start the engine on a gamble that it might run.

 

[woodiewagon46]

I agree with ford38. Some of the older rubber flex hoses are not compatible with the new gasoline. I replaced one on a '32 that was completely clogged. Oh and by the way don't blow air from the carb to the tank as you are only pushing all the sediment back into the tank.