Club126UK

Fiat 126 Chat => Fiat 126 Mechanical Problem Solving => Topic started by: poxxxy on April 13, 2014, 04:47:54 PM

Title: Fueling issues... Help!
Post by: poxxxy on April 13, 2014, 04:47:54 PM
While the engines turning over the fuel filter does not fill with petrol.  Under vacuum only a small amount of fuel is visible in the filter. But much more air is entering from somewhere.

The pump itself I'm not sure is even doing anything!

any help appreciated as there doesn't seem much out there at the minute.

Was hoping to fire her up today and many weekends working.
Title: Re: Fueling issues... Help!
Post by: DeVilleChris on April 13, 2014, 05:35:21 PM
Try replacing the fuel line from the tank to the filter/pump. I had this issue on my 79' aircooled and I changed the pipe and tank and it fixed the issue, there was a hole in the pipe pulling in more air than fuel.
Title: Re: Fueling issues... Help!
Post by: poxxxy on April 13, 2014, 06:44:09 PM
Cheers DeVilleChris, I had a feeling it was something like this but my old man wouldn't have it at first but eventually agreed. Best take a look tomorrow!
Title: Re: Fueling issues... Help!
Post by: Hazey-n-Marc on April 13, 2014, 07:42:42 PM
Fuel lines and unions are worth checking, also filter if you have one. The pumps can be an absolute pain though, why lot of us have electric pumps.

Marc
Title: Re: Fueling issues... Help!
Post by: poxxxy on April 14, 2014, 12:36:54 AM
Hmm yes an electric pump sounds like a nice idea. Any procedure to drop the tank or is it clear enough from underneath?
Title: Re: Fueling issues... Help!
Post by: Hazey-n-Marc on April 14, 2014, 06:26:32 AM
Just three bolts. Attaching and removing pipes is the hard bit, you will want the handbrake off (not removed, just not on) so you can get the cable out of the way a bit.

Marc
Title: Re: Fueling issues... Help!
Post by: poxxxy on April 14, 2014, 10:40:41 AM
Thankyou Marc, Hmmm just 3 bolts eh. Make it sound easy but heard some nightmare stories of it taking some ppl 3 hours or more. Guess I will have to get her up of the floor as much as possible and see what's happening under there!
Title: Re: Fueling issues... Help!
Post by: Hazey-n-Marc on April 14, 2014, 03:05:45 PM
Someone told me after we did mine that you can gain access to the pipes at the tank end by removing the rear passenger side card. Might be worth a look. Think it only took Stuey and myself an hour or so, I would recommend borrowing a Stuey if you can find one, they are invaluable for 126 related experience (other enthusiasts of different names are also available).

Marc
Title: Re: Fueling issues... Help!
Post by: DeVilleChris on April 14, 2014, 10:44:36 PM
Changing the tank is very easy in itself, getting the pipes back on afterwards is a nightmare..

as Marc said its only 3 bolts hold the tank on but getting the return pipe and filler pipe back on is difficult. I had to ask my brother as he has smaller hands haha  :P

Chris
Title: Re: Fueling issues... Help!
Post by: poxxxy on April 14, 2014, 11:37:37 PM
Yes a Stuey would be nice, not sure theres any local members to me at the minute :). When its running perhaps I'll be able to make a journey or two to see some other 126's!

I might take a look behind the door card panel, although I noticed kev said he wished he never bothered as it offered no help :).

Are the pipe connections able to be got to without removing the tank/bolts at all? or are they well hidden? Never got round to managing to get it up on the ramps today but will have to get it up asap!
Title: Re: Fueling issues... Help!
Post by: Hazey-n-Marc on April 15, 2014, 09:31:23 AM
I'm fairly certain the pipes are near inaccessible with the tank in situ, but as it is only three bolts and tie the handbrake cable out of the way it's worth a look. The filler and breather pipes are short, so the tank can only be so low. An extra pair of hands helps. The bolts are obvious, easy to get to once the handbrake cable is pushed back.

Marc
Title: Re: Fueling issues... Help!
Post by: poxxxy on April 15, 2014, 12:48:35 PM
Just underneath her at the minute. One stud broke off... Other 2 nuts loosened off. I guess I'll take them off and see what happens. But yeah looks pretty inaccessible without lowering it hehe.

Also noticed the gearbox mount bushes look pretty poor and cracked so will have to get some ordered from somewhere!
Title: Re: Fueling issues... Help!
Post by: andyzeetec on April 15, 2014, 01:20:06 PM
same as. Easy getting tank out, pain in the back or neck getting it back in, as Hazey said make sure handbrake is off and wheels chocked, gives more clearance to drop tank out. method I used was to take off the Inner side panel for access and remove the black steel fuel neck assly.
Clamped the filler and breather hoses onto new tank,then feed both hoses with tank up through holes within chassis.(I had to bend the filler angled hose to get it up through into the car) just need someone in car to pull it through. Various ways to skin a cat, but that was mine.  :D
Title: Re: Fueling issues... Help!
Post by: poxxxy on April 15, 2014, 01:22:55 PM
Hmmm so 2 out of 3 snapped in the end... threads were very buggered :). Tank is currently hanging my filler neck. Unsure on how that comes off to be honest. Unfortunately it has only dropped slightly not really helping! Might be easier when your not lying on your back with hands over your head :).

Does the whole rear seat come out together? Back included?  The bottom half doesn't seem to want to come out on its own!
Title: Re: Fueling issues... Help!
Post by: thepuddlejumper on April 15, 2014, 01:24:04 PM
I had a similar problem, it turned out the two steel pipes coming out of the sender unit had corroded and air was getting in, replaced sender unit. While I had the tank out I cut an access hole to allow future access to the sender and pipes, in the process of finishing off with a fitted cover plate so it will look as if it is a  factory finish.

Ralph
Title: Re: Fueling issues... Help!
Post by: thepuddlejumper on April 15, 2014, 01:26:14 PM
2 screws under the carpet at the outer edges hold the rear squab in place, once these are removed it should pull out.
Title: Re: Fueling issues... Help!
Post by: andyzeetec on April 15, 2014, 01:34:32 PM
Hmmm so 2 out of 3 snapped in the end... threads were very buggered :). Tank is currently hanging my filler neck. Unsure on how that comes off to be honest. Unfortunately it has only dropped slightly not really helping! Might be easier when your not lying on your back with hands over your head :).

Does the whole rear seat come out together? Back included?  The bottom half doesn't seem to want to come out on its own!

my rear bench came out by lifting it upwards off two pins/lugs, then pull towards you (front of car direction). It was a tight fit though. see my other post about getting the tank back in.  :)
Title: Re: Fueling issues... Help!
Post by: poxxxy on April 15, 2014, 01:42:33 PM
Just wrestling with rubber pipe from filler neck to tank now... doesn't want to budge and have next to 0 access to prise it off... any tips?:)
Title: Re: Fueling issues... Help!
Post by: Rusty's Uncle on April 15, 2014, 02:30:05 PM
I can see that you are having fun  :)
You need to drop the tank with the filler and breather hoses connected so you have to remove that inner panel to disconnect at the top of the hoses.
Title: Re: Fueling issues... Help!
Post by: poxxxy on April 15, 2014, 03:20:42 PM
Cheers guys, I lifted but yeah it was a tight fit and got scared of bending something I shouldn't in case I'd missed something needing removing! I discovered old brake line tucked up there to in situ and the new brake lines previously fitted seem to have just been stuck on as a bit of an after thought not in original placing.

Gutted that 2 studs broke off... One right at the base and the other part way down...  looking back I should have maybe re cut the end of the thread that caused the breaking of the 2nd stud in the end.

Now I guess it's a case of seeing how many clips I break removing that trim panel!

Packed up earlier for a short while as going to look at a van shortly. But the tank is hanging still in place till I get that seat out. I think I'll go and clear the car out again and see if I can lift it out!
Title: Re: Fueling issues... Help!
Post by: poxxxy on April 16, 2014, 03:58:23 PM
Ok bench seat removed... that trim panel is awkward. Seems most the clips on the right edge are all missing anyway but still well stuck. The seat belt retaining bolt didn't want to budge so I think it's an impact gun job. Just to check they're not reverse threaded for some reason are they?