Is it the fuel pump?

[47heaven]

Hey, guys...hope everyone is doing well. Got a fuel pump issue that I need some help sorting out. First, I did do a search on my particular issue, but to no avail, so I'm trying to get it solved and fixed today on my day off.

Problem: Car stalled for no reason. Thought it had run out of gas, which could have been a possibilty because the gas gauge has stopped working, again.

Put about four gallons of gas in the tank, but the engine just kept turning over without any ignition.

Did a test to see if I was getting any spark with a couple of plug wires and they were sparking fine..so, that eliminated any electrical issue.

Fuel pump bowl and gas filter still had gas in them.

Tried to pour a little gas down the carb to see if maybe I could get it to start thinking that maybe the gas needed to make it's way to the pump.

Engine started, ran for a couple seconds and stalled. Tried this a couple times...with no positive outcome.

Took off the top of the carburator and bowl was completely dry.

So, fuel pump bowl and gas filter have gas in them, but carb bowl is empty, which only seems logical that the pump isn't working...correct?

Now, this is the second pump that I have had problems with in five years. I'm at the point now that I'm giving up hope on the mech. fuel pumps that are manufactured today...at least the ones through Napa and Auto Zone. I'm leaning more towards reliability rather than originality, especially since I am planning to travel longer distances in the P15.

So my question is who has converted from mech. pump to electric, and how have the results been since?

Are you happy with the conversion or did you like the mech. pump better?

What is a good brand electrical pump for our cars that are dependable and put out the recommended pressure.

[Plymouthy Adams]

try blowing back through the line and into the tank to see if for some reason you have an obstruction..

[RobertKB]

try blowing back through the line and into the tank to see if for some reason you have an obstruction..

Good idea but may I suggest you remove your gas cap before doing this for pressure reasons. You can also then hear if there is air bubbling into the gas which means your line is basically clear.

[47heaven]

try blowing back through the line and into the tank to see if for some reason you have an obstruction..

Tim...where do I blow on the line from?

[47heaven]

Tim...where do I blow on the line from?

In other words, do I blow on the line leading into the pump or can I blow on it from where it goes into the fuel filter.

[TodFitch]

In other words, do I blow on the line leading into the pump or can I blow on it from where it goes into the fuel filter.

Fuel pump has check valves in it to prevent reverse flow, so you'll have to blow in to the line between the fuel pump and the tank. Just remove the flex hose from the frame to the pump and blow into that.

[flatheadtim]

Remove line at carb, turn over engine- check for gas, no gas could be pump, line or hole in line/flex hose at frame just below pump--the pump will suck air there and not get suction! Can try removing line in two places at pump and tank blow air and clear line, leaving line off at tank put little pressure through fill neck see if gas at tank outlet. The car I just purchased had a hole in line right at pump and was sucking air!! fixed this and I was good to go.

Edited April 19, 2012 by flatheadtim

[Young Ed]

Also if you do determine your mechanical pump is toast another option is to rebuild it yourself.

[Merle Coggins]

There seems to be a trend in the modern "new" pumps that they don't secure the pin properly. I've heard many horror stories, and I have even had one work out. When the pin walks out the linkage falls apart and it stops pumping. The rebuild kits from Antique Auto Parts Cellar use a pin with retaining clips. Easy to rebuild and no problems since. Otherwise I'd suggest staking the pin good on any "new" pump, no matter where you purchase it.

Merle

[old rat 49]

I wnt with 6v electric and have been more than happy with it. Restarts after driving are better too. I also just went ahead and replaced evry bit of fuel line and hose from carb to tank just to be sure. Found one piece on fram that was really coroded. Blow through it first like suggested to find out if clogged.

[steveplym]

I wnt with 6v electric and have been more than happy with it. Restarts after driving are better too. I also just went ahead and replaced evry bit of fuel line and hose from carb to tank just to be sure. Found one piece on fram that was really coroded. Blow through it first like suggested to find out if clogged.

Is your fuel pump mounted back by the tank or up near the engine? Heard that electric pumps make better pushers than pullers.

[old rat 49]

Mounted on frame about halfway with big filter just before it. Have a secret switch to kill pump power as anti theft.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Darin, its been 5 days..are you back on the road..what were the findings?

[Robert Horne]

Is your fuel pump mounted back by the tank or up near the engine? Heard that electric pumps make better pushers than pullers.

I installed an electric fuel pump I bought from Advance Auto Parts.

I first installed it near the center of the car, got 5lbs of pressure.

I moved it to the rear, near the fuel tank, have 7lbs of pressure.

[47heaven]

Darin, its been 5 days..are you back on the road..what were the findings?

Ok, Tim...here are the findings from my investigation into all of this. Though the fuel pump in question was bad, due to the way it fell apart when I took it out, I went ahead and had to buy another mechanical fuel pump so I could get the car to a place to repair it beause I am not allowed to work on my car where I live (condo association). So, I took it to a buddy of mine and we put on the new pump. Bam! Started right up. This was two weeks ago. Yesterday, while I was driving, the car cut out on me, as if it ran out of gas...just like the previous time. I was able to coast off of the freeway and exit at the next exit. I know I hadn't run out of gas because I had just filled it half way. First thing I did was check the fuel filter, and it was empty. I looked under the car and the glass bowl on the fuel pump was full...just as it was last time. I couldn't believe that the new fuel pump had gone out already, so I thought.

Anyway, had to get towed back home and this morning when I took off the pump (with the garage door closed), I noticed this floating in the glas bowl.

I believe it may be the coating that I had put into the gas tank back when I bought the car. It looks as if it's desinigrating and flaking apart. The guy that coated it said it would not break up and flake away. I noticed also in the bowl of the other pump that the same stuff was in there.

So, now all that coating is desinigrating and breaking up. So apparently that is what's clogging the line. Is till want to put in an electric fuel pump, but with the tank situation it would just do the same thing.

What do you suggest I do?

I can take it back to him, but hell if I know where that receipt is. I saw the new gas tank on Ebay, which is nice, but kinda out of the price range. I don't know about trying to salvage the tank I have because before it was coated it was rusty, and I think that's starting to surface again, as well.

Anyone else is free to chime in with suggestions.

[Dodgeb4ya]

I'd get a original non coated rust free tank. I have seen this same issue before.

[47heaven]

I'd get a original non coated rust free tank. I have seen this same issue before.

Yeah, but when you say an original are you talking an NOS one? Those are virtually non-existant. Or did you mean something like this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-1941-1948-Dodge-Plymouth-Car-Steel-Gas-Tank-16-gallon-Tanks-Inc?item=320897868587&cmd=ViewItem&_trksid=p5197.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D4%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8561483411252156789

[DCurrent]

Doesn't the fuel pickup tube have some sort of screen on it? I understood from other posts I read that plymouth tanks could not be sealed for this reason.

Darren

[47heaven]

Doesn't the fuel pickup tube have some sort of screen on it? I understood from other posts I read that plymouth tanks could not be sealed for this reason.

Darren

You may be right, Darren, but at that time I had just bought the car and it was suggested by a friend that it was I needed to do. The guy who coated the tank should've known better too.

[Don Coatney]

Anyone else is free to chime in with suggestions.[/size]

Geez, What do you suggest? You could move.......

New garage?

Move to a non restricted neighborhood?

Keep having the same problem and finding a discount towing company?

Hire a big buck lawyer to file many law suits?

Once again, What do you suggest? You now have found the problem. With out any suggestions from others how would you fix this problem?????

[Dodgeb4ya]

Yeah, but when you say an original are you talking an NOS one? Those are virtually non-existant. Or did you mean something like this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-1941-1948-Dodge-Plymouth-Car-Steel-Gas-Tank-16-gallon-Tanks-Inc?item=320897868587&cmd=ViewItem&_trksid=p5197.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D4%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8561483411252156789

I'd just start looking for an original used rust free tank. They are out there. Might take a bit of searching to find one. Any Chrysler/Dodge /DeSoto or Plymouth 1941-8 are all the same except Straight 8 Chrysler being a 20 gallon tank.

Bob

[55 Fargo]

Geez, What do you suggest? You could move.......

New garage?

Move to a non restricted neighborhood?

Keep having the same problem and finding a discount towing company?

Hire a big buck lawyer to file many law suits?

Once again, What do you suggest? You now have found the problem. With out any suggestions from others how would you fix this problem?????

Install a plastic see-through fuel filter in-line, before the fuel pump, and drive car, till He can find another suitable tank.

He can change fuel filters when they become clogged, , and keep rolling, till all the tank liner breaks loose........

[47heaven]

Geez, What do you suggest? You could move.......

New garage?

Move to a non restricted neighborhood?

Keep having the same problem and finding a discount towing company?

Hire a big buck lawyer to file many law suits?

Once again, What do you suggest? You now have found the problem. With out any suggestions from others how would you fix this problem?????

Looks like you're having a bad day, again, Don. Sorry to hear that. What's wrong..hemorrhoids flaring up again? Out of Milk of Magnesia? Prostate acting up? You know...you must be a very unhappy man, and it's that unhappiness and pessimism you bring here that drives others off this board, and I know a few who have left because of you and your uncalled for, facetious remarks. One more time (and I have said this before), if you don't like what I post about (as you make quite obvious), then simply ignore me and keep your pie hole shut. In fact, I would greatly appreciate it from now on if you would refrain from replying to anything else I say on here because all you spew out of your mouth is pessimistic garbage that I really don't need to hear, and I don't think I stand alone when I say that.

Edited May 22, 2012 by 47heaven

[47heaven]

Install a plastic see-through fuel filter in-line, before the fuel pump, and drive car, till He can find another suitable tank.

He can change fuel filters when they become clogged, , and keep rolling, till all the tank liner breaks loose........

Thanks, Rockwood. That was a good idea, which is why I come here. Thanks, again.

Edited May 22, 2012 by 47heaven

[Young Ed]

In fact, I would greatly appreciate it from now on if you would refrain from replying to anything else I say on here because all you spew out of your mouth is pessimistic garbage that I really don't need to hear, and I don't think I stand alone when I say that.

Rather than demanding that Don ignore you why don't you use the block feature and block him. Than you won't have to see his replys and the rest of us can still enjoy them.