Blockage in main fuel tank

[shawsie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close shawsie]

I experienced an anomoly last week while on Fraser Island. My car "stalled" as I was driving a sand track up around Wathumba Creek. It was very odd at the time and the car would not start even though there was a good spark and plenty of fuel. The tracks this year have been the worst i've driven on and during that time the car had been bumped around severerly. We concluded that there could be a fuel blockage, but before attempting to dismantl the car at this stage (gulp!) I switched over to my sub-tank and she kicked into life (Yay!). When back on the hard sand I switched back to the main and everything was ok. Obviously the 'krudd' in the main-tank had re-settled itself when not being used so all is well I guess. The blockage was not in the fuel filter as this is positioned after the solenoid from both tanks.

My question is has anyone else had a problem like this or know about a build up of krudd in your fuel tanks. Also, is there an simple way of cleaning or flushing out both tanks?

Many thanks

[MRW82 Member Find all posts View Profile Close MRW82]

Re: Blockage in main fuel tank

rather then a blockage i'd be more inclined to suspect the fuel pump in the main tank is on it's way out.

if it stops and you are relying on the main tank (ie, no fuel in the sub tank to run on) sometimes a good hard thump on the fuel tank can get the pump working again (as a temporary fix, of course). sounds like its time to shop around for a new one though.

[Snaga Wishing I was lost Find all posts View Profile Close Snaga]

Re: Blockage in main fuel tank

Hi ya Shawsie... how's that lift treating you?

The only time I've experienced what you described is when I switched tanks while the engine was under load... you say there was plenty of fuel but could it have been low enough that with all the splish, splashing of a bumpy ride there was a break in the supply :?

Just stabbing in the dark here

[Prado Zimm Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Prado Zimm]

Re: Blockage in main fuel tank

I had the same issue a couple of years ago. It started off happening maybe twice every 6 months just after I had been over some ruff stuff or even a few spoon drains around where I live. Didn't think much of it as like you it cleared it self and the fuel filter was fairly clean(It had never been changed from new - 95,000 km's). Then one day both pumps failed. To cut a long story short they both got jammed up with rust that had been floating around due to bad fuel years earlier. If you read my post from Oct 08 you will see the dramas I had.

[wengnuts Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close wengnuts]

Re: Blockage in main fuel tank

My car "stalled" as I was driving a sand track up around Wathumba Creek.

Andrew, it's time to ditch the old car and upgrade to the 150.

[Snaga Wishing I was lost Find all posts View Profile Close Snaga]

Re: Blockage in main fuel tank

My car "stalled" as I was driving a sand track up around Wathumba Creek.

Andrew, it's time to ditch the old car and upgrade to the 150.

Are you on a commission Kel

[shawsie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close shawsie]

Re: Blockage in main fuel tank

Many thanks for your comments....

MRW82
Did'nt think to suspect the fuel pump might be on it's way out. I've been running on the main tank now since last week, but now I'll take this into consideration (gulp!)...

Prado Zimm
I think I'll start looking at the pumps as a possible cause now.

Snaga
The new suspension is going great (love the ride height), but if I had to do it over I'd get the std rated springs as the HD ones are a little stiff for my liking (personall preference). The fuel problem is the first time something like this (engine stalling) has happened, but considering the age of the vehicle I've had a few 'wear & tear' issues last year.

Wengnuts
You're not wrong there mate, but I'd be looking at a late model 120 - not as rich as you :wink:

I can tell you that I was ready to torch it! as it would've been a hugh effort to get the car back to Orchid Beach for repairs back along the sand track. Hey guys, thanks for your comments. I think I will drain the tanks and try and flush them clean somehow. I could drop each tank one by one (for cleaning) and pull the fuel pump for inspection, but it seems like a big effort for that.

Cheers, Andrew