Car dies after short distance.

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BorisSobad
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Joined: Sat May 26, 2001 12:01 am

Car dies after short distance.

Post by BorisSobad »

Car stalled on highway so I had it towed home. I changed the fuel filter and did a complete tune up. Car started sweet. Purred beautiful for idle. I drove it 100 yds. At first it roared then it died. Could restart but only drive it at a limp. Everytime I tried to give her gas she died. Let her sit overnight and same thing next day.
I've dual Kadrons on 1776 brand new 14,000 miles ago. Do I need to do a carb rebuild already? :roll:
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Marc
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Re: Car dies after short distance.

Post by Marc »

Disconnect the fuel pump inlet line - fuel should flow freely out with the car parked level. If not, the outlet strainer in the bottom of the tank is the most likely suspect. Plenty of fuel to the pump? Could be the pump is bad. Either one could've caused the initial stall and be responsible for what's happening now.
Do make sure that the points haven't slipped...
69vw1915
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Re: Car dies after short distance.

Post by 69vw1915 »

Does it do the same thing with the gas cap removed?
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BorisSobad
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Re: Car dies after short distance.

Post by BorisSobad »

I did not try to drive it with the gas cap off.
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Marc
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Re: Car dies after short distance.

Post by Marc »

If there's something wrong with the fuel tank vent system, that can cause starvation too - usually there's enough leakage at the cap for the tank pressure to equalize eventually (usually within 10 minutes or so) and it takes several minutes of running to recreate the problem - you'd be able to drive much further than 100yds.
Image
I can't make out an accurate timeline (how long the engine is off before, and how long it's run until the symptom shows) from your narrative so it's pointless to speculate any further based upon the information presented.
turboedbug
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Re: Car dies after short distance.

Post by turboedbug »

I had a bunch of debris in my tank and it would only flow enough fuel to idle and drive a few hundred feet......might want to clean out ur tank :)
Turbo!
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BorisSobad
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Re: Car dies after short distance.

Post by BorisSobad »

Someone convinced me to have the carbs rebuilt. Tuned the car again. Will rev and idle fine in the garage. I go 100 yds and she dies again. Wasted money on the carbs for nothing.
helowrench
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Re: Car dies after short distance.

Post by helowrench »

Alright. So you know it is not the carbs.
Now try the same drive with the gas cap left off.
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Marc
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Re: Car dies after short distance.

Post by Marc »

As I said above, a problem with the fuel tank vent system should allow you to drive much further than 100yds, so it's more likely some other supply issue like the pump or tank strainer. But there's nothing easier than trying it with the cap loose, at least you'll be able to rule that out.
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BorisSobad
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Re: Car dies after short distance.

Post by BorisSobad »

No driving without the gas cap has no effect.
helowrench
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Re: Car dies after short distance.

Post by helowrench »

BorisSobad wrote:No driving without the gas cap has no effect.
That is still good, as you can rule out the vent system.
the next step is a little more difficult.
Now we need to determine if you have a problem on the supply side or pressure side.
Do you have an extra on eof the small see through fuel filter, and a bit of extra fuel hose?

If you do:

Set up....
Ensure that you have a clean fuel filter installed both ahead and behind the fuel pump.
start it up, and drive it until it dies, then tell us which filter is empty.
Weaponer
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Re: Car dies after short distance.

Post by Weaponer »

Did you check to see if your fuel line was kinked under the gas tank? I remember kind of the same problem when you first put in your engine.
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BorisSobad
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Re: Car dies after short distance.

Post by BorisSobad »

I looked at the fuel line again looked fine. When I reached in to check I could feel a small kink. So it was open enough to let fuel through till I drove off then it was starved. :oops: Kind of embarassing. Thank you for the help. She seems okay now.
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