Petrol puzzle.

highwayman149

New Member
Hi all. My 2200 tc has developed a persistent problem whereby if I stop for say 15 mins then get going again within 30 secs to a minute the engine splutters and often completely dies. Thirty seconds of trying to start and it usually runs again. Ithappens every time and I noticed if I pull the reserve control it seems to help if I set off after a break and run on reserve for the first two or three mins the problem can be avoided but obviously it's not ideal. Obviously a fuel delivery problem and possibly connected to the main reserve tap maybe. I tried simulating the same scenario on the drive but the car was okay so the car in motion would seem to be a necessary ingredient. All advice greatly appreciated as always.
 
Could be fuel pump. The reserve out let is lower in the tank than the normal feed therefore there will be a bit more pressure from weight of petrol in the tank. If the fuel pump is just about coping this extra push from the tank might be making a difference. Next time it happens try manually pumping the fuel pump with the lever on the side then try starting. Just a thought.
 
def a fuelling issue. though one may need to check reserve tap /position it would seem more likely we are getting vapour issues. not normally associated with 4 pots or inline engines it occurs more frequently now as change to fuel specs and include ethanol which gasses off easily when hot fuel pipe/carbs are concerned. we can try adding an octane booster check heat shield if fitted around carb .fuel lines. the symptoms described are consistent with vapour issues. the cranking over having effect pushing cooler fuel along to carb with no gas bubbles etc . I have fitted an electric fuel pump now to try and overcome my traditional cutting out when coming to a stop and no restart for 4-5 mins . it now only fails to restart ( and cuts out far less) when parked for a half hour as heat soak boils fuel and creates bubbles.
 
Vapour lock very rare on a 4 pot.
It used to be. I have the 2200TC setup on my 2000TC and had to beef up the heat shielding because the HIF6's would boil above 31 deg C like clockwork. Over here in New Jersey they put about 10% ethanol in the fuel and it lowers the boiling point considerably. Here's video of a guy in California having issues.
I believe a few supermarket brands of petrol in the UK add ethanol now.
 
I believe a few supermarket brands of petrol in the UK add ethanol now.

They all do. Only super unleaded doesn't.
 
I have heard reports of issues with fuel in general over the last few weeks. From what I gather there was a shortage and many pumps were left dry, so less maintained petrol stations had the potential for contaminants.
I filled up my V70 at a small unknown garage the week before last and was greeted with the engine light as soon as I restarted the car. A colleague at work has also had a similar experience.
I'm not getting any codes from my Volvo, can't find any vacuum leaks, the filler cap is fine.
Everything points to bad fuel to me
Jim
 
Just to finally tidy up this topic I thought I'd let you all know after trying heat reflective tape to no effect the fuel delivery problem was solved with a refurb of the carburetors.
 
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