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MG TD TF 1500 - Fuel Problem

My TD runs great until I get down to 3-4 gallons of fuel then it acts like it is out of gas. When it quits all I do is wait about 1-2 minutes and it'll run perfect for 500 feet and repeat the above mentioned. I have installed another fuel pump, drained the tank and inspected through the fuel float hole for trash but none. All the lines and hoses are away from the exhaust pipe and it happens before the engine gets hot. Today I disconnected the fuel line to the SU's and pumped 3.2 gallons of fuel into a fuel container with out a problem. I have blown 30 PSI air pressure from the pump hose to the tank and it was clear.
The puzzeling thing is if I have over 4 gallons of fuel in the tank everything is great. This is not a problem to keep that much fuel in the tank, but I would like to find out what causes it to quit with 3-4 gallons left in the tank.
Any help would be appreciated.

Don 52 TD #17700
Don

Don - When you disconnected the fuel line and pumped gas into a container, was the tank down to the point where you normally experience the problem? If not, then the test really doesn't tell you much. I suspect that you have a clogged filter screen in the tank. The fitting that the fuel line attaches to at the bottom of the tank can be removed and has a screen on the inside. This screen could be clogged up with crud or it colud have a heavy coating of varnish on it. When you have a full tank of gas, there is sufficient pressure against the screen to get the fuel through, but when the fuel level gets low the fuel is not being pushed through the screen fast enough to supply the needs of the engine. Note this is just a guess, but it is worth checking out.
Good luck - Dave
David DuBois

David,
I hadn't added any fuel after the problem. When I disconnected the fuel line and ran the fuel pump it pumped the tank empty (3.2 gallons). The screen is clean.
Thanks for your input.

Don
Don

Don,
this would be a great question for the NPR Car Talk guys. Tommy has a TD and would probably also think this is an interesting puzzler.

I still think Dave might have the right answer to your problem. You pumped the tank empty from a car that was not moving. Maybe that's significant.

Have you removed the main feed and checked the filter screen? Even though you were able to pump 30psi back through the line, the air could have been all passing through the upper/clear part of the screen.

Pull out that main feed. It's easy to do and just might surprise you.

t.
Terry McArthur

Terry, You have a good point I'll check it and post my findings.

THANKS!!

Don
Don

Don
You might also want to check the seal on your gas cap. If it is not letting air in when the fuel pump is working, then it might be sealing too much. Good luck John
John C. Hambleton III

I found that the fuel line was partially blocked. I guess the pump would suck the trash so tight that it would stop the fuel flow. When I shut the pump off the fuel would gravity feed past the trash. Then I could drive until the fuel in the line ceased.

Thanks for the inputs.

Don
Don

See my comment losses power when hot. The dash pot screeens and inards of dashpots are a possible issues, especially where you can pump tyhe tank dry
Jon L

I installed a new screen that was attached to the fitting in the tank. Car runs great now.

Thanks to all,

Don
don

This thread was discussed between 13/09/2003 and 06/10/2003

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