Fuel problem
06-06-2004, 10:15 AM
#31
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Fuel problem
First I would be looking for a hole in the gas line. Your gas line is a
suction line and if there is a hole in it, it can run ok until the gas
gets below the level of the hole, then it will suck air.
Topping it up raises the gas level, so some gravity feed is involved.
They usually leak where the clamps hold the line to the frame or the
flex lines rot and leak either at the tank or pump.
Because it is a suction line, it might not leak out onto the ground.
The other suction leak could be in the tank. The pickup tube which is
part of the gauge unit can rust away.
What kind of shape is the air filter on the gas tank vent? If plugged
up with mud, it will vacuum lock the gas tank and do the damnedest
imitation of running out of gas you ever want to see. Let it sit for 10
or 20 minutes and it will fire up and run again.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Jay Stuler wrote:
>
> OK, armchair Jeep mechanic warriors.
>
> '76 CJ-7.
> It has sat mostly in one place for the last month.
> Last time I parked it, it had a full tank of gas.
> Then last week I wanted to take it out so I went to the gas station, and
> just to make sure, I topped it off with 30 cents of gas.
> Drove it for 27 miles when it promptly died. It died in the way a car dies
> when it runs out of gas.
> So AAA tows it back home to me. Still never starts.
> I just put 2 gallons of gas in it and it starts right up!
>
> Now, the guy I bought it from told me that the fuel gauge was
> "intermittent". And sure enough, when it had a full tank, it was reading
> very low. I thought the fuel gauge was just bad. But now it actually seems
> like the problem is something else. When I put the 2 gallons in just now,
> it went from dead E to a bit above E.
>
> I assume I have the stock (15 gallon?) fuel tank.
> It obviously doesn't leak.
> What the heck is going on? Is my tank somehow only holding a few gallons?
> Is the gas not getting to the engine when it gets low? Bad fuel pump?
>
> --
> "What we need are a couple of good hangings" - FTC Chairman Orson Swindle,
> regarding email spam
suction line and if there is a hole in it, it can run ok until the gas
gets below the level of the hole, then it will suck air.
Topping it up raises the gas level, so some gravity feed is involved.
They usually leak where the clamps hold the line to the frame or the
flex lines rot and leak either at the tank or pump.
Because it is a suction line, it might not leak out onto the ground.
The other suction leak could be in the tank. The pickup tube which is
part of the gauge unit can rust away.
What kind of shape is the air filter on the gas tank vent? If plugged
up with mud, it will vacuum lock the gas tank and do the damnedest
imitation of running out of gas you ever want to see. Let it sit for 10
or 20 minutes and it will fire up and run again.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Jay Stuler wrote:
>
> OK, armchair Jeep mechanic warriors.
>
> '76 CJ-7.
> It has sat mostly in one place for the last month.
> Last time I parked it, it had a full tank of gas.
> Then last week I wanted to take it out so I went to the gas station, and
> just to make sure, I topped it off with 30 cents of gas.
> Drove it for 27 miles when it promptly died. It died in the way a car dies
> when it runs out of gas.
> So AAA tows it back home to me. Still never starts.
> I just put 2 gallons of gas in it and it starts right up!
>
> Now, the guy I bought it from told me that the fuel gauge was
> "intermittent". And sure enough, when it had a full tank, it was reading
> very low. I thought the fuel gauge was just bad. But now it actually seems
> like the problem is something else. When I put the 2 gallons in just now,
> it went from dead E to a bit above E.
>
> I assume I have the stock (15 gallon?) fuel tank.
> It obviously doesn't leak.
> What the heck is going on? Is my tank somehow only holding a few gallons?
> Is the gas not getting to the engine when it gets low? Bad fuel pump?
>
> --
> "What we need are a couple of good hangings" - FTC Chairman Orson Swindle,
> regarding email spam
06-06-2004, 10:15 AM
#32
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Fuel problem
First I would be looking for a hole in the gas line. Your gas line is a
suction line and if there is a hole in it, it can run ok until the gas
gets below the level of the hole, then it will suck air.
Topping it up raises the gas level, so some gravity feed is involved.
They usually leak where the clamps hold the line to the frame or the
flex lines rot and leak either at the tank or pump.
Because it is a suction line, it might not leak out onto the ground.
The other suction leak could be in the tank. The pickup tube which is
part of the gauge unit can rust away.
What kind of shape is the air filter on the gas tank vent? If plugged
up with mud, it will vacuum lock the gas tank and do the damnedest
imitation of running out of gas you ever want to see. Let it sit for 10
or 20 minutes and it will fire up and run again.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Jay Stuler wrote:
>
> OK, armchair Jeep mechanic warriors.
>
> '76 CJ-7.
> It has sat mostly in one place for the last month.
> Last time I parked it, it had a full tank of gas.
> Then last week I wanted to take it out so I went to the gas station, and
> just to make sure, I topped it off with 30 cents of gas.
> Drove it for 27 miles when it promptly died. It died in the way a car dies
> when it runs out of gas.
> So AAA tows it back home to me. Still never starts.
> I just put 2 gallons of gas in it and it starts right up!
>
> Now, the guy I bought it from told me that the fuel gauge was
> "intermittent". And sure enough, when it had a full tank, it was reading
> very low. I thought the fuel gauge was just bad. But now it actually seems
> like the problem is something else. When I put the 2 gallons in just now,
> it went from dead E to a bit above E.
>
> I assume I have the stock (15 gallon?) fuel tank.
> It obviously doesn't leak.
> What the heck is going on? Is my tank somehow only holding a few gallons?
> Is the gas not getting to the engine when it gets low? Bad fuel pump?
>
> --
> "What we need are a couple of good hangings" - FTC Chairman Orson Swindle,
> regarding email spam
suction line and if there is a hole in it, it can run ok until the gas
gets below the level of the hole, then it will suck air.
Topping it up raises the gas level, so some gravity feed is involved.
They usually leak where the clamps hold the line to the frame or the
flex lines rot and leak either at the tank or pump.
Because it is a suction line, it might not leak out onto the ground.
The other suction leak could be in the tank. The pickup tube which is
part of the gauge unit can rust away.
What kind of shape is the air filter on the gas tank vent? If plugged
up with mud, it will vacuum lock the gas tank and do the damnedest
imitation of running out of gas you ever want to see. Let it sit for 10
or 20 minutes and it will fire up and run again.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Jay Stuler wrote:
>
> OK, armchair Jeep mechanic warriors.
>
> '76 CJ-7.
> It has sat mostly in one place for the last month.
> Last time I parked it, it had a full tank of gas.
> Then last week I wanted to take it out so I went to the gas station, and
> just to make sure, I topped it off with 30 cents of gas.
> Drove it for 27 miles when it promptly died. It died in the way a car dies
> when it runs out of gas.
> So AAA tows it back home to me. Still never starts.
> I just put 2 gallons of gas in it and it starts right up!
>
> Now, the guy I bought it from told me that the fuel gauge was
> "intermittent". And sure enough, when it had a full tank, it was reading
> very low. I thought the fuel gauge was just bad. But now it actually seems
> like the problem is something else. When I put the 2 gallons in just now,
> it went from dead E to a bit above E.
>
> I assume I have the stock (15 gallon?) fuel tank.
> It obviously doesn't leak.
> What the heck is going on? Is my tank somehow only holding a few gallons?
> Is the gas not getting to the engine when it gets low? Bad fuel pump?
>
> --
> "What we need are a couple of good hangings" - FTC Chairman Orson Swindle,
> regarding email spam
06-06-2004, 10:15 AM
#33
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Fuel problem
First I would be looking for a hole in the gas line. Your gas line is a
suction line and if there is a hole in it, it can run ok until the gas
gets below the level of the hole, then it will suck air.
Topping it up raises the gas level, so some gravity feed is involved.
They usually leak where the clamps hold the line to the frame or the
flex lines rot and leak either at the tank or pump.
Because it is a suction line, it might not leak out onto the ground.
The other suction leak could be in the tank. The pickup tube which is
part of the gauge unit can rust away.
What kind of shape is the air filter on the gas tank vent? If plugged
up with mud, it will vacuum lock the gas tank and do the damnedest
imitation of running out of gas you ever want to see. Let it sit for 10
or 20 minutes and it will fire up and run again.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Jay Stuler wrote:
>
> OK, armchair Jeep mechanic warriors.
>
> '76 CJ-7.
> It has sat mostly in one place for the last month.
> Last time I parked it, it had a full tank of gas.
> Then last week I wanted to take it out so I went to the gas station, and
> just to make sure, I topped it off with 30 cents of gas.
> Drove it for 27 miles when it promptly died. It died in the way a car dies
> when it runs out of gas.
> So AAA tows it back home to me. Still never starts.
> I just put 2 gallons of gas in it and it starts right up!
>
> Now, the guy I bought it from told me that the fuel gauge was
> "intermittent". And sure enough, when it had a full tank, it was reading
> very low. I thought the fuel gauge was just bad. But now it actually seems
> like the problem is something else. When I put the 2 gallons in just now,
> it went from dead E to a bit above E.
>
> I assume I have the stock (15 gallon?) fuel tank.
> It obviously doesn't leak.
> What the heck is going on? Is my tank somehow only holding a few gallons?
> Is the gas not getting to the engine when it gets low? Bad fuel pump?
>
> --
> "What we need are a couple of good hangings" - FTC Chairman Orson Swindle,
> regarding email spam
suction line and if there is a hole in it, it can run ok until the gas
gets below the level of the hole, then it will suck air.
Topping it up raises the gas level, so some gravity feed is involved.
They usually leak where the clamps hold the line to the frame or the
flex lines rot and leak either at the tank or pump.
Because it is a suction line, it might not leak out onto the ground.
The other suction leak could be in the tank. The pickup tube which is
part of the gauge unit can rust away.
What kind of shape is the air filter on the gas tank vent? If plugged
up with mud, it will vacuum lock the gas tank and do the damnedest
imitation of running out of gas you ever want to see. Let it sit for 10
or 20 minutes and it will fire up and run again.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Jay Stuler wrote:
>
> OK, armchair Jeep mechanic warriors.
>
> '76 CJ-7.
> It has sat mostly in one place for the last month.
> Last time I parked it, it had a full tank of gas.
> Then last week I wanted to take it out so I went to the gas station, and
> just to make sure, I topped it off with 30 cents of gas.
> Drove it for 27 miles when it promptly died. It died in the way a car dies
> when it runs out of gas.
> So AAA tows it back home to me. Still never starts.
> I just put 2 gallons of gas in it and it starts right up!
>
> Now, the guy I bought it from told me that the fuel gauge was
> "intermittent". And sure enough, when it had a full tank, it was reading
> very low. I thought the fuel gauge was just bad. But now it actually seems
> like the problem is something else. When I put the 2 gallons in just now,
> it went from dead E to a bit above E.
>
> I assume I have the stock (15 gallon?) fuel tank.
> It obviously doesn't leak.
> What the heck is going on? Is my tank somehow only holding a few gallons?
> Is the gas not getting to the engine when it gets low? Bad fuel pump?
>
> --
> "What we need are a couple of good hangings" - FTC Chairman Orson Swindle,
> regarding email spam
06-06-2004, 01:30 PM
#34
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Fuel problem
On Sat, 5 Jun 2004, Jay Stuler wrote:
> OK, armchair Jeep mechanic warriors.
>
> '76 CJ-7.
> It has sat mostly in one place for the last month.
> Last time I parked it, it had a full tank of gas.
> Then last week I wanted to take it out so I went to the gas station, and
> just to make sure, I topped it off with 30 cents of gas.
Or, at least, the automatic shut-off nozzle thought that the tank was full
because it got backpressure. Maybe it isn't really full, with a bad gauge
you can't be certain. Any kinks or other restrictions in the fuel filler
plumbing?
> Drove it for 27 miles when it promptly died. It died in the way a car dies
> when it runs out of gas.
> So AAA tows it back home to me. Still never starts.
> I just put 2 gallons of gas in it and it starts right up!
A couple of thoughts: Bad fuel filter (easy, cheap fix). Crud sucked up
against the mesh strainer at the bottom of the fuel sender (more
expensive, busted-knuckle fix). Rotting body mounts have allowed the tub
to settle down on the fuel line where it goes over the cross member ahead
of the tank and pinch it mostly shut (drilling, tapping, sawing,
chiseling, melting metal work).
A passing thought: Those two gallons will take you about 27 miles.
> Now, the guy I bought it from told me that the fuel gauge was
> "intermittent". And sure enough, when it had a full tank, it was reading
> very low. I thought the fuel gauge was just bad. But now it actually seems
> like the problem is something else. When I put the 2 gallons in just now,
> it went from dead E to a bit above E.
The next time it dies, pull the fuel line between the fuel filter and the
carb, see if you've got gas when you crank. If not, pull the line ahead
of the filter and see if you've got gas. If not you know the problem is
between there and the bottom of the tank. My guess is the bottom of the
tank.
> I assume I have the stock (15 gallon?) fuel tank.
> It obviously doesn't leak.
Original tank? Maybe it leaks but does it so slowly it isn't obvious. It
might be just a damp spot on the skid plate.
Good luck!
> OK, armchair Jeep mechanic warriors.
>
> '76 CJ-7.
> It has sat mostly in one place for the last month.
> Last time I parked it, it had a full tank of gas.
> Then last week I wanted to take it out so I went to the gas station, and
> just to make sure, I topped it off with 30 cents of gas.
Or, at least, the automatic shut-off nozzle thought that the tank was full
because it got backpressure. Maybe it isn't really full, with a bad gauge
you can't be certain. Any kinks or other restrictions in the fuel filler
plumbing?
> Drove it for 27 miles when it promptly died. It died in the way a car dies
> when it runs out of gas.
> So AAA tows it back home to me. Still never starts.
> I just put 2 gallons of gas in it and it starts right up!
A couple of thoughts: Bad fuel filter (easy, cheap fix). Crud sucked up
against the mesh strainer at the bottom of the fuel sender (more
expensive, busted-knuckle fix). Rotting body mounts have allowed the tub
to settle down on the fuel line where it goes over the cross member ahead
of the tank and pinch it mostly shut (drilling, tapping, sawing,
chiseling, melting metal work).
A passing thought: Those two gallons will take you about 27 miles.
> Now, the guy I bought it from told me that the fuel gauge was
> "intermittent". And sure enough, when it had a full tank, it was reading
> very low. I thought the fuel gauge was just bad. But now it actually seems
> like the problem is something else. When I put the 2 gallons in just now,
> it went from dead E to a bit above E.
The next time it dies, pull the fuel line between the fuel filter and the
carb, see if you've got gas when you crank. If not, pull the line ahead
of the filter and see if you've got gas. If not you know the problem is
between there and the bottom of the tank. My guess is the bottom of the
tank.
> I assume I have the stock (15 gallon?) fuel tank.
> It obviously doesn't leak.
Original tank? Maybe it leaks but does it so slowly it isn't obvious. It
might be just a damp spot on the skid plate.
Good luck!
06-06-2004, 01:30 PM
#35
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Fuel problem
On Sat, 5 Jun 2004, Jay Stuler wrote:
> OK, armchair Jeep mechanic warriors.
>
> '76 CJ-7.
> It has sat mostly in one place for the last month.
> Last time I parked it, it had a full tank of gas.
> Then last week I wanted to take it out so I went to the gas station, and
> just to make sure, I topped it off with 30 cents of gas.
Or, at least, the automatic shut-off nozzle thought that the tank was full
because it got backpressure. Maybe it isn't really full, with a bad gauge
you can't be certain. Any kinks or other restrictions in the fuel filler
plumbing?
> Drove it for 27 miles when it promptly died. It died in the way a car dies
> when it runs out of gas.
> So AAA tows it back home to me. Still never starts.
> I just put 2 gallons of gas in it and it starts right up!
A couple of thoughts: Bad fuel filter (easy, cheap fix). Crud sucked up
against the mesh strainer at the bottom of the fuel sender (more
expensive, busted-knuckle fix). Rotting body mounts have allowed the tub
to settle down on the fuel line where it goes over the cross member ahead
of the tank and pinch it mostly shut (drilling, tapping, sawing,
chiseling, melting metal work).
A passing thought: Those two gallons will take you about 27 miles.
> Now, the guy I bought it from told me that the fuel gauge was
> "intermittent". And sure enough, when it had a full tank, it was reading
> very low. I thought the fuel gauge was just bad. But now it actually seems
> like the problem is something else. When I put the 2 gallons in just now,
> it went from dead E to a bit above E.
The next time it dies, pull the fuel line between the fuel filter and the
carb, see if you've got gas when you crank. If not, pull the line ahead
of the filter and see if you've got gas. If not you know the problem is
between there and the bottom of the tank. My guess is the bottom of the
tank.
> I assume I have the stock (15 gallon?) fuel tank.
> It obviously doesn't leak.
Original tank? Maybe it leaks but does it so slowly it isn't obvious. It
might be just a damp spot on the skid plate.
Good luck!
> OK, armchair Jeep mechanic warriors.
>
> '76 CJ-7.
> It has sat mostly in one place for the last month.
> Last time I parked it, it had a full tank of gas.
> Then last week I wanted to take it out so I went to the gas station, and
> just to make sure, I topped it off with 30 cents of gas.
Or, at least, the automatic shut-off nozzle thought that the tank was full
because it got backpressure. Maybe it isn't really full, with a bad gauge
you can't be certain. Any kinks or other restrictions in the fuel filler
plumbing?
> Drove it for 27 miles when it promptly died. It died in the way a car dies
> when it runs out of gas.
> So AAA tows it back home to me. Still never starts.
> I just put 2 gallons of gas in it and it starts right up!
A couple of thoughts: Bad fuel filter (easy, cheap fix). Crud sucked up
against the mesh strainer at the bottom of the fuel sender (more
expensive, busted-knuckle fix). Rotting body mounts have allowed the tub
to settle down on the fuel line where it goes over the cross member ahead
of the tank and pinch it mostly shut (drilling, tapping, sawing,
chiseling, melting metal work).
A passing thought: Those two gallons will take you about 27 miles.
> Now, the guy I bought it from told me that the fuel gauge was
> "intermittent". And sure enough, when it had a full tank, it was reading
> very low. I thought the fuel gauge was just bad. But now it actually seems
> like the problem is something else. When I put the 2 gallons in just now,
> it went from dead E to a bit above E.
The next time it dies, pull the fuel line between the fuel filter and the
carb, see if you've got gas when you crank. If not, pull the line ahead
of the filter and see if you've got gas. If not you know the problem is
between there and the bottom of the tank. My guess is the bottom of the
tank.
> I assume I have the stock (15 gallon?) fuel tank.
> It obviously doesn't leak.
Original tank? Maybe it leaks but does it so slowly it isn't obvious. It
might be just a damp spot on the skid plate.
Good luck!
06-06-2004, 01:30 PM
#36
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Fuel problem
On Sat, 5 Jun 2004, Jay Stuler wrote:
> OK, armchair Jeep mechanic warriors.
>
> '76 CJ-7.
> It has sat mostly in one place for the last month.
> Last time I parked it, it had a full tank of gas.
> Then last week I wanted to take it out so I went to the gas station, and
> just to make sure, I topped it off with 30 cents of gas.
Or, at least, the automatic shut-off nozzle thought that the tank was full
because it got backpressure. Maybe it isn't really full, with a bad gauge
you can't be certain. Any kinks or other restrictions in the fuel filler
plumbing?
> Drove it for 27 miles when it promptly died. It died in the way a car dies
> when it runs out of gas.
> So AAA tows it back home to me. Still never starts.
> I just put 2 gallons of gas in it and it starts right up!
A couple of thoughts: Bad fuel filter (easy, cheap fix). Crud sucked up
against the mesh strainer at the bottom of the fuel sender (more
expensive, busted-knuckle fix). Rotting body mounts have allowed the tub
to settle down on the fuel line where it goes over the cross member ahead
of the tank and pinch it mostly shut (drilling, tapping, sawing,
chiseling, melting metal work).
A passing thought: Those two gallons will take you about 27 miles.
> Now, the guy I bought it from told me that the fuel gauge was
> "intermittent". And sure enough, when it had a full tank, it was reading
> very low. I thought the fuel gauge was just bad. But now it actually seems
> like the problem is something else. When I put the 2 gallons in just now,
> it went from dead E to a bit above E.
The next time it dies, pull the fuel line between the fuel filter and the
carb, see if you've got gas when you crank. If not, pull the line ahead
of the filter and see if you've got gas. If not you know the problem is
between there and the bottom of the tank. My guess is the bottom of the
tank.
> I assume I have the stock (15 gallon?) fuel tank.
> It obviously doesn't leak.
Original tank? Maybe it leaks but does it so slowly it isn't obvious. It
might be just a damp spot on the skid plate.
Good luck!
> OK, armchair Jeep mechanic warriors.
>
> '76 CJ-7.
> It has sat mostly in one place for the last month.
> Last time I parked it, it had a full tank of gas.
> Then last week I wanted to take it out so I went to the gas station, and
> just to make sure, I topped it off with 30 cents of gas.
Or, at least, the automatic shut-off nozzle thought that the tank was full
because it got backpressure. Maybe it isn't really full, with a bad gauge
you can't be certain. Any kinks or other restrictions in the fuel filler
plumbing?
> Drove it for 27 miles when it promptly died. It died in the way a car dies
> when it runs out of gas.
> So AAA tows it back home to me. Still never starts.
> I just put 2 gallons of gas in it and it starts right up!
A couple of thoughts: Bad fuel filter (easy, cheap fix). Crud sucked up
against the mesh strainer at the bottom of the fuel sender (more
expensive, busted-knuckle fix). Rotting body mounts have allowed the tub
to settle down on the fuel line where it goes over the cross member ahead
of the tank and pinch it mostly shut (drilling, tapping, sawing,
chiseling, melting metal work).
A passing thought: Those two gallons will take you about 27 miles.
> Now, the guy I bought it from told me that the fuel gauge was
> "intermittent". And sure enough, when it had a full tank, it was reading
> very low. I thought the fuel gauge was just bad. But now it actually seems
> like the problem is something else. When I put the 2 gallons in just now,
> it went from dead E to a bit above E.
The next time it dies, pull the fuel line between the fuel filter and the
carb, see if you've got gas when you crank. If not, pull the line ahead
of the filter and see if you've got gas. If not you know the problem is
between there and the bottom of the tank. My guess is the bottom of the
tank.
> I assume I have the stock (15 gallon?) fuel tank.
> It obviously doesn't leak.
Original tank? Maybe it leaks but does it so slowly it isn't obvious. It
might be just a damp spot on the skid plate.
Good luck!
06-06-2004, 01:30 PM
#37
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Fuel problem
On Sat, 5 Jun 2004, Jay Stuler wrote:
> OK, armchair Jeep mechanic warriors.
>
> '76 CJ-7.
> It has sat mostly in one place for the last month.
> Last time I parked it, it had a full tank of gas.
> Then last week I wanted to take it out so I went to the gas station, and
> just to make sure, I topped it off with 30 cents of gas.
Or, at least, the automatic shut-off nozzle thought that the tank was full
because it got backpressure. Maybe it isn't really full, with a bad gauge
you can't be certain. Any kinks or other restrictions in the fuel filler
plumbing?
> Drove it for 27 miles when it promptly died. It died in the way a car dies
> when it runs out of gas.
> So AAA tows it back home to me. Still never starts.
> I just put 2 gallons of gas in it and it starts right up!
A couple of thoughts: Bad fuel filter (easy, cheap fix). Crud sucked up
against the mesh strainer at the bottom of the fuel sender (more
expensive, busted-knuckle fix). Rotting body mounts have allowed the tub
to settle down on the fuel line where it goes over the cross member ahead
of the tank and pinch it mostly shut (drilling, tapping, sawing,
chiseling, melting metal work).
A passing thought: Those two gallons will take you about 27 miles.
> Now, the guy I bought it from told me that the fuel gauge was
> "intermittent". And sure enough, when it had a full tank, it was reading
> very low. I thought the fuel gauge was just bad. But now it actually seems
> like the problem is something else. When I put the 2 gallons in just now,
> it went from dead E to a bit above E.
The next time it dies, pull the fuel line between the fuel filter and the
carb, see if you've got gas when you crank. If not, pull the line ahead
of the filter and see if you've got gas. If not you know the problem is
between there and the bottom of the tank. My guess is the bottom of the
tank.
> I assume I have the stock (15 gallon?) fuel tank.
> It obviously doesn't leak.
Original tank? Maybe it leaks but does it so slowly it isn't obvious. It
might be just a damp spot on the skid plate.
Good luck!
> OK, armchair Jeep mechanic warriors.
>
> '76 CJ-7.
> It has sat mostly in one place for the last month.
> Last time I parked it, it had a full tank of gas.
> Then last week I wanted to take it out so I went to the gas station, and
> just to make sure, I topped it off with 30 cents of gas.
Or, at least, the automatic shut-off nozzle thought that the tank was full
because it got backpressure. Maybe it isn't really full, with a bad gauge
you can't be certain. Any kinks or other restrictions in the fuel filler
plumbing?
> Drove it for 27 miles when it promptly died. It died in the way a car dies
> when it runs out of gas.
> So AAA tows it back home to me. Still never starts.
> I just put 2 gallons of gas in it and it starts right up!
A couple of thoughts: Bad fuel filter (easy, cheap fix). Crud sucked up
against the mesh strainer at the bottom of the fuel sender (more
expensive, busted-knuckle fix). Rotting body mounts have allowed the tub
to settle down on the fuel line where it goes over the cross member ahead
of the tank and pinch it mostly shut (drilling, tapping, sawing,
chiseling, melting metal work).
A passing thought: Those two gallons will take you about 27 miles.
> Now, the guy I bought it from told me that the fuel gauge was
> "intermittent". And sure enough, when it had a full tank, it was reading
> very low. I thought the fuel gauge was just bad. But now it actually seems
> like the problem is something else. When I put the 2 gallons in just now,
> it went from dead E to a bit above E.
The next time it dies, pull the fuel line between the fuel filter and the
carb, see if you've got gas when you crank. If not, pull the line ahead
of the filter and see if you've got gas. If not you know the problem is
between there and the bottom of the tank. My guess is the bottom of the
tank.
> I assume I have the stock (15 gallon?) fuel tank.
> It obviously doesn't leak.
Original tank? Maybe it leaks but does it so slowly it isn't obvious. It
might be just a damp spot on the skid plate.
Good luck!
06-06-2004, 08:42 PM
#38
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Fuel problem
"Lee Ayrton" <layrton@panix.com> wrote in message
news:Pine.NEB.4.58.0406061315400.14902@panix3.pani x.com...
> On Sat, 5 Jun 2004, Jay Stuler wrote:
>
> > OK, armchair Jeep mechanic warriors.
> >
> > '76 CJ-7.
> > It has sat mostly in one place for the last month.
> > Last time I parked it, it had a full tank of gas.
> > Then last week I wanted to take it out so I went to the gas station, and
> > just to make sure, I topped it off with 30 cents of gas.
>
> Or, at least, the automatic shut-off nozzle thought that the tank was full
> because it got backpressure. Maybe it isn't really full, with a bad gauge
> you can't be certain.
No, I visually observed it to be full.
Also the gasoline that poured out on my toes doubly confirmed it.
That's confirmation with 4 of the 5 senses.
> Any kinks or other restrictions in the fuel filler
> plumbing?
>
>
> > Drove it for 27 miles when it promptly died. It died in the way a car
dies
> > when it runs out of gas.
> > So AAA tows it back home to me. Still never starts.
> > I just put 2 gallons of gas in it and it starts right up!
>
> A couple of thoughts: Bad fuel filter (easy, cheap fix). Crud sucked up
> against the mesh strainer at the bottom of the fuel sender (more
> expensive, busted-knuckle fix). Rotting body mounts have allowed the tub
> to settle down on the fuel line where it goes over the cross member ahead
> of the tank and pinch it mostly shut (drilling, tapping, sawing,
> chiseling, melting metal work).
>
> A passing thought: Those two gallons will take you about 27 miles.
>
>
> > Now, the guy I bought it from told me that the fuel gauge was
> > "intermittent". And sure enough, when it had a full tank, it was
reading
> > very low. I thought the fuel gauge was just bad. But now it actually
seems
> > like the problem is something else. When I put the 2 gallons in just
now,
> > it went from dead E to a bit above E.
>
> The next time it dies, pull the fuel line between the fuel filter and the
> carb, see if you've got gas when you crank. If not, pull the line ahead
> of the filter and see if you've got gas. If not you know the problem is
> between there and the bottom of the tank. My guess is the bottom of the
> tank.
>
>
> > I assume I have the stock (15 gallon?) fuel tank.
> > It obviously doesn't leak.
>
> Original tank? Maybe it leaks but does it so slowly it isn't obvious. It
> might be just a damp spot on the skid plate.
Well if it leaks out completely over 27 miles that isn't very slowly.
It sat with a full tank for weeks with no leaks.
I'm thinking you guys are right about the fuel sender. I bet the gauge
isn't actually bad either. Hopefully that will fix both of my fuel
problems. Thanks!
06-06-2004, 08:42 PM
#39
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Fuel problem
"Lee Ayrton" <layrton@panix.com> wrote in message
news:Pine.NEB.4.58.0406061315400.14902@panix3.pani x.com...
> On Sat, 5 Jun 2004, Jay Stuler wrote:
>
> > OK, armchair Jeep mechanic warriors.
> >
> > '76 CJ-7.
> > It has sat mostly in one place for the last month.
> > Last time I parked it, it had a full tank of gas.
> > Then last week I wanted to take it out so I went to the gas station, and
> > just to make sure, I topped it off with 30 cents of gas.
>
> Or, at least, the automatic shut-off nozzle thought that the tank was full
> because it got backpressure. Maybe it isn't really full, with a bad gauge
> you can't be certain.
No, I visually observed it to be full.
Also the gasoline that poured out on my toes doubly confirmed it.
That's confirmation with 4 of the 5 senses.
> Any kinks or other restrictions in the fuel filler
> plumbing?
>
>
> > Drove it for 27 miles when it promptly died. It died in the way a car
dies
> > when it runs out of gas.
> > So AAA tows it back home to me. Still never starts.
> > I just put 2 gallons of gas in it and it starts right up!
>
> A couple of thoughts: Bad fuel filter (easy, cheap fix). Crud sucked up
> against the mesh strainer at the bottom of the fuel sender (more
> expensive, busted-knuckle fix). Rotting body mounts have allowed the tub
> to settle down on the fuel line where it goes over the cross member ahead
> of the tank and pinch it mostly shut (drilling, tapping, sawing,
> chiseling, melting metal work).
>
> A passing thought: Those two gallons will take you about 27 miles.
>
>
> > Now, the guy I bought it from told me that the fuel gauge was
> > "intermittent". And sure enough, when it had a full tank, it was
reading
> > very low. I thought the fuel gauge was just bad. But now it actually
seems
> > like the problem is something else. When I put the 2 gallons in just
now,
> > it went from dead E to a bit above E.
>
> The next time it dies, pull the fuel line between the fuel filter and the
> carb, see if you've got gas when you crank. If not, pull the line ahead
> of the filter and see if you've got gas. If not you know the problem is
> between there and the bottom of the tank. My guess is the bottom of the
> tank.
>
>
> > I assume I have the stock (15 gallon?) fuel tank.
> > It obviously doesn't leak.
>
> Original tank? Maybe it leaks but does it so slowly it isn't obvious. It
> might be just a damp spot on the skid plate.
Well if it leaks out completely over 27 miles that isn't very slowly.
It sat with a full tank for weeks with no leaks.
I'm thinking you guys are right about the fuel sender. I bet the gauge
isn't actually bad either. Hopefully that will fix both of my fuel
problems. Thanks!
06-06-2004, 08:42 PM
#40
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Fuel problem
"Lee Ayrton" <layrton@panix.com> wrote in message
news:Pine.NEB.4.58.0406061315400.14902@panix3.pani x.com...
> On Sat, 5 Jun 2004, Jay Stuler wrote:
>
> > OK, armchair Jeep mechanic warriors.
> >
> > '76 CJ-7.
> > It has sat mostly in one place for the last month.
> > Last time I parked it, it had a full tank of gas.
> > Then last week I wanted to take it out so I went to the gas station, and
> > just to make sure, I topped it off with 30 cents of gas.
>
> Or, at least, the automatic shut-off nozzle thought that the tank was full
> because it got backpressure. Maybe it isn't really full, with a bad gauge
> you can't be certain.
No, I visually observed it to be full.
Also the gasoline that poured out on my toes doubly confirmed it.
That's confirmation with 4 of the 5 senses.
> Any kinks or other restrictions in the fuel filler
> plumbing?
>
>
> > Drove it for 27 miles when it promptly died. It died in the way a car
dies
> > when it runs out of gas.
> > So AAA tows it back home to me. Still never starts.
> > I just put 2 gallons of gas in it and it starts right up!
>
> A couple of thoughts: Bad fuel filter (easy, cheap fix). Crud sucked up
> against the mesh strainer at the bottom of the fuel sender (more
> expensive, busted-knuckle fix). Rotting body mounts have allowed the tub
> to settle down on the fuel line where it goes over the cross member ahead
> of the tank and pinch it mostly shut (drilling, tapping, sawing,
> chiseling, melting metal work).
>
> A passing thought: Those two gallons will take you about 27 miles.
>
>
> > Now, the guy I bought it from told me that the fuel gauge was
> > "intermittent". And sure enough, when it had a full tank, it was
reading
> > very low. I thought the fuel gauge was just bad. But now it actually
seems
> > like the problem is something else. When I put the 2 gallons in just
now,
> > it went from dead E to a bit above E.
>
> The next time it dies, pull the fuel line between the fuel filter and the
> carb, see if you've got gas when you crank. If not, pull the line ahead
> of the filter and see if you've got gas. If not you know the problem is
> between there and the bottom of the tank. My guess is the bottom of the
> tank.
>
>
> > I assume I have the stock (15 gallon?) fuel tank.
> > It obviously doesn't leak.
>
> Original tank? Maybe it leaks but does it so slowly it isn't obvious. It
> might be just a damp spot on the skid plate.
Well if it leaks out completely over 27 miles that isn't very slowly.
It sat with a full tank for weeks with no leaks.
I'm thinking you guys are right about the fuel sender. I bet the gauge
isn't actually bad either. Hopefully that will fix both of my fuel
problems. Thanks!