It runs but it wont drive!

[gtthumper]

My '81 126 starts ok , runs and sounds good- check! However as I drive it the throttle becomes useless, the engine starts to die, I dip the clutch(or take it out of gear and drift along the side of the road) and pump the throttle but it dies. Then starts , runs , drives a bit and dies all over again.
I've had fuel filter fitted, change it regular, AA man said pump seams to be drawing fuel thru' he checked the carb'( I think) took something off that had a float and filter in it - all ok and clean. Points and condenser are new, are according to the AA man , all good also!
 For the love of god I just want to drive my Fiat! (that and AA only do a maximum of 6 call outs a year then they start charging).Out of interest he towed me home (6miles ish) -no towing eyes so attached towing bar to leaf spring with ratchet strap? Sound ok to you knowledgable folk?

[GTMaster]

Hi,

I'd first say that it might be the fuel pump.... or the fuel level in the float chamber is too low. As for towing, it's ok to tow it for a bit by the leaf spring but it's better to use the horn 'holder' (the triangular like metal that the horn sits on).

[Rusty's Uncle]

So what is the recent history of this car ? Has it been standing for a while or was it driving OK then started to cause problems ? How far do you get before the problems start? If you pull on the choke when it starts to die does it help? If you start the car at home & just let it run on tickover for a prolonged period will it cut out? Does the online filter pick up any residue? There are dozens of other questions that could be asked but nobody can wave a magic wand unless it was a lucky shot untill you come up with a bit more info  [-/

[bis13]

fuel pump will look fine until you put the engine under load and then will die on you as you are asking for more than it can give other area to look is carb for dodgy gaskets.

[gtthumper]

Thank you for your interest .The story goes it was stood up for 20yrs, discovered by folk i got it off, they did a few bits to it to get it going - mot'd last october, so i guess they had been using it for a few months before i got it end of feb - i picked it up and drove it home in one shot (1.5 hrs). Daily commute totals 125 miles a week - did that for a week then got stuff in the carb - so had it sorted and f/filter fitted. More fab driving - trips of 50miles in one go no probs! Then points and condenser caused problems so had them replaced last thurs - chap who did drove it about for a bit to check all good, then i drove it sat about 14mile before it started failing again.I try not to use the choke as that sticks on(i know i should just hop out and push it back ). Starts, idles, rev it from engine bay ok - has not cut out as yet doing that ( 5mins or should i try longer?) Filter does pick up poop from tank but I changed it sat morning, so it'd a clean one in there now - I live near ipswich so I'm going to try Avanti auto's as they seem to be the nearest Fiat inspired chaps! Any news on those guys - as i've only driven by the garage sp far and don't anyone who has been there. Many thanks, as I would love to keep driving my 126 and not give up on it!

[Rusty's Uncle]

OK so you know that you have got a problem on the fuel supply side and hopefully that will be the only problem but these little blighters have a habit of throwing you a curved ball now & again. The encouraging thing is that you have done some mileage. It would seem that the driving activity has stirred up the sediment in your fuel tank and is showing up in your online filter. So you now have 3 filters on your fuel line. The one in the top of the carb which is pretty much redundant at the moment due to the online filter. The online filter then there is another fine mesh filter inside the fuel tank at the bottom of the fuel outlet pipe which comes up through the fuel gauge sender unit. I am sure that there are other products on the market to treat old fuel systems but I tend to stick with Redex fuel system cleaner , £3.99 in Tesco. A good strong dose of that in say half a tank of petrol , try and give it a little run to slosh the petrol about then leave for 24 to 48 hours to let it do its work if you can. It all depends upon the type of sediment that is probably blocking the in tank filter but for £4 it might just save you having to take the tank out  [-/

[Kent126]

Sounds like mine, im changing the head gasket soon hopefully to see if that sorts the problem. When it gets hot it loses power under throttle.

[gtthumper]

Thank you soooo much - really appreciated! I'll have ago with the stuff from tesco's, sounds like i'm capable of that ! I'll let you know how i get on , thanks again , We do love driving the little tinker!