Help! Weird failure - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bpmcgee · 04-03-2003, 11:42 AM

Last night I was driving home in the 71 blazer. I was smelling fuel pretty strongly. Cruising along at 40 mph, the engine started stuttering badly. When I pulled up to the next stop sign, the engine just died right out and wouldn't restart.

When I checked clear fuel-filter right in front of the carb, there was no fuel. I figured "Dead fuel pump." So, I had it towed to my house.

This morning, I went outside to work on it. I turned it over, it quickly filled up the fuel filter and started right up!

Can a mechanical fuel pump behave this way? I'm more suspicious of cracked rubber fuel line someplace -- accounting for the strong smell of fuel while the fuel filter was empty.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Brian

O'l Buck · 04-03-2003, 12:37 PM

My guess would be a rubber line cracked or collapsed, but it could be the diaphragm in the fuel pump.....there is a weep hole for the fuel to come out of it the diaphragm goes.

Blazer1970 · 04-03-2003, 12:43 PM

I would suspect the fuel pump. Make sure it didn't fill your crankcase up with gas.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 04-03-2003, 01:27 PM

I am kind of on the same line as Blazer1970. It sounds like you were getting excessive fuel. I would suspect the float/needle valve getting stuck and causing extra fuel to be pumped into your carburetor. Flooding would cause the gas smell and the stalling.

Jim

Blue Beard · 04-03-2003, 02:20 PM

I would suspect the hoses, depending on if they look very old.

I had that problem once. Started at the carb, replacing everything. Only to find it was the rubber hose between the gas tank and the frame. Had a deteriated hose and was acting like a flapper valve shutting off the gas.

cdowns · 04-03-2003, 06:01 PM

i'd go for the hoses

Hooter · 04-03-2003, 09:53 PM

sometimes the fuel pump will work, stop, work again, stop, Pain in the butt, I ended getting fed up and just replacing the damn thing

04-03-2003, 11:42 AM	#1
bpmcgee Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 2,181	Help! Weird failure Last night I was driving home in the 71 blazer. I was smelling fuel pretty strongly. Cruising along at 40 mph, the engine started stuttering badly. When I pulled up to the next stop sign, the engine just died right out and wouldn't restart. When I checked clear fuel-filter right in front of the carb, there was no fuel. I figured "Dead fuel pump." So, I had it towed to my house. This morning, I went outside to work on it. I turned it over, it quickly filled up the fuel filter and started right up! Can a mechanical fuel pump behave this way? I'm more suspicious of cracked rubber fuel line someplace -- accounting for the strong smell of fuel while the fuel filter was empty. Any ideas? Thanks! Brian

04-03-2003, 12:37 PM	#2
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	My guess would be a rubber line cracked or collapsed, but it could be the diaphragm in the fuel pump.....there is a weep hole for the fuel to come out of it the diaphragm goes. __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

04-03-2003, 12:43 PM	#3
Blazer1970 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Old Mission, MI, USA Posts: 2,510	I would suspect the fuel pump. Make sure it didn't fill your crankcase up with gas. __________________ Tim

04-03-2003, 02:20 PM	#5
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,834	I would suspect the hoses, depending on if they look very old. I had that problem once. Started at the carb, replacing everything. Only to find it was the rubber hose between the gas tank and the frame. Had a deteriated hose and was acting like a flapper valve shutting off the gas. __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

04-03-2003, 06:01 PM	#6
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	i'd go for the hoses __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

04-03-2003, 01:27 PM	#4
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	I am kind of on the same line as Blazer1970. It sounds like you were getting excessive fuel. I would suspect the float/needle valve getting stuck and causing extra fuel to be pumped into your carburetor. Flooding would cause the gas smell and the stalling. Jim

04-03-2003, 09:53 PM	#7
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,083	sometimes the fuel pump will work, stop, work again, stop, Pain in the butt, I ended getting fed up and just replacing the damn thing __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life



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