Fuel Fail (I blame my brother)

19th May 2010, 12:39

Well, last night i decided to go for a drive with my brother (We live in Chatham in Kent) and was going to go towards the coast. Half way there my brother said "let's go to Camber Sands" which if any of you know, it's on the border of kent and £10 worth of fuel from Chatham wasn't going to cut it, well 90 miles later and i'm still going whoopeee.

Only problem is, the fuel light comes on and im shitting it as every petrol station in sight is closed as it was 11pm ish.

Finally found a petrol station, thank you Tesco and fill up £30.

Instantly as i started the car, it started chugging and you could hear the fuel going glug glug glug. Obviously i primed the car a few times first. 2 minutes down the road and my eye were stinging to high heaven from petrol fumes, it stank.

This morning and still the same story. Not as bad obviously but still that noise. Is it something that will fix itself in time or have we damaged something?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Andy

19th May 2010, 12:43

Sorry mate but the eyes stinging bit made me chuckle.

Sounds like you might have a leak somewhere on your fuel tank - so now you've put more fuel in the level is above the leak?

Whereas before when you were running it low the fuel was well below the level of the hole?

Could be a leaking pipe?

19th May 2010, 12:53

No leaking pipes as far as i know, nothing on the road to show a leak and pipes were replaced recently. It's only happened since it was run very low and obviously was scraping the barrell and now it just seems to be making a glug noise but is slowly getting better.

I was told the fuel pump might be knackered? I need to change mine for a newer one at some point due to my dials needing the newer type pump and sender so maybe it's worth doing this soonish?

Andy

19th May 2010, 12:57

Yeh, could fit the new fuel pump and go from there.

Fuel pump buggered wouldn't account for you being high on petrol fumes whilst driving along !

You're 100% there's no leaks? Can you smell fuel in the engine bay? Under the back of the car ?

19th May 2010, 13:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by raunchz

Yeh, could fit the new fuel pump and go from there.

Fuel pump buggered wouldn't account for you being high on petrol fumes whilst driving along !

You're 100% there's no leaks? Can you smell fuel in the engine bay? Under the back of the car ?

Sometimes the smell and stinging seems to get worse when the heaters are on if that helps? Can't smell anything in the bay.

Andy

19th May 2010, 13:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by aruffell

Sometimes the smell and stinging seems to get worse when the heaters are on if that helps? Can't smell anything in the bay.

Andy

Could be leaking at the bulkhead join behind the dash on the passenger side?

Sounds like you almost need to strip the car down, and follow the fuel lines from front to back to 100% be sure of no leaks as driving along with stinging eyes doesn't sound like fun !!

19th May 2010, 13:06

check your fuel feed and return pies are on securely and not come loose.

mine became loose and could smell petrol very strong inside the car, 2 days later driving, pipe comes off and fuel everywhere and allsorts of lights flashing on the dash.

get it checked asap.

19th May 2010, 13:08

They wasn't long changed but will give it a check now. Be right back lol.

Andy

19th May 2010, 13:19

maybe the stench is coming from a manifold leak? I had this problem with the heaters once and it turned out to be leaking from the Mani.

19th May 2010, 13:21

From where the mani meets the head? As we're working on that today as it has 3 gaskets on there, got ONE new one next to me lol

No leaking pipes etc... by the way.

Andy

19th May 2010, 13:28

Yea mate the joint from the head. Hmm I don't know then mate, do what this guy said and follow the pipes to be 100% theres no leak, im sure you will come across something.