Kangaroo petrol when tank is less than a quarter full

[nottsman]

I took the car out tonight after replacing the upgraded rad. Petrol gauge was less than a quarter full. Started okay with choke on and allowed to warm up before setting off. Once out on the road, experienced sputtering as if running on kangaroo petrol! This is the second time this has happened when the petrol tank was low. Does not happen at any other time.

Stopped off and filled up and problem solved.

Any ideas?

[Heuer]

Try checking the fuel tank sump and associated filter as it can fill with all sorts of rubbish:




Best to do it with an almost empty tank though.

[mgcjag]

Hi Nick......if its just a coincidence that when you fill up it stops then also consider the fuel pump....if its an original points one it could be a bit intermitantly fault.......

[nottsman]

Thanks David and Steve.

I will clean out the sump and filter and see if it reoccurs. The pump is behaving itself (clicks away merrily to itself) and I've never had any problems apart from when the fuel is low....famous last words!

Nick

[cactusman]

Also might be worth checking the pick up pipe in the tank. Has it a hole or leak low down? If there is a leak air will be pulled in by the pump...which will tick away merrily but you will be supplying air bubbles to the engine and the thing will run poorly as the levels in the floats drop when fed with air. If it is a leak low down it would explain why the issue vanished with a full tank...filling up covered the leak with fuel?

[malcolm]

Even though the pump is ticking away, I might still be suspicious. When the tank is low, the pump has further to raise the petrol than when it's full; so could it be that it's a bit down on lifting power?

[Heuer]

Easy to check - the fuel filter bowl will be empty and you could pull the inlet hose off the filter and see if petrol squirts out with the ignition on. Obviously you need to do this with tank almost empty to replicate your problem.

[288gto]

Hi Nick, could it just be as simple as the fuel guage or sender unit not reading accurately and the fuel is actually at the bottom of the pick up?

Simon

[nottsman]

Thanks everyone. I will start with David's suggestion and clean out the sump and filter - new filter and washer ordered.

If I run the tank low by the gauge beforehand, I should be able tell if the gauge or sender is giving an inaccurate reading when I remove the sump plug. Less is now.

Other suggestions can then be checked and eliminated once I know the pickup is clean.

I plan to tackle at the weekend if I can obtain a pass from she who must be obeyed to gain access to the garage!

Will report back.

Cheers all.