Fuel pump / supply issues

[bbart]

Hi. Wouldn't mind some thoughts on an issue I'm having. I've got a Holden 179 in a Series 1, which I drive everyday :). It has a glass bowl fuel pump. Seemed to have some fuel starvation issues at idle, and I could see some air bubbles coming into the glass bowl which indicated to me that air was getting in somewhere. I replaced all the hose clamps between the tank and fuel pump, and an inline fuel filter I have in this section while I was at it. No sign of air bubbles now that I can tell, but it is still having trouble at idle, and the fuel level in the glass bowl seems low to me (level with or below the gauze strainer). I was about to replace the fuel pump and was going to just get a fuelmiser new sealed type. Just thought I'd check here first, as it's such a great resource that I should utilise more :). If there was a fuel pump issue, is it odd that it seems to run fine on the road (or with choke), only has problems at idle? Thanks in advance. Brendan.

[Lionelgee]

Hi. Wouldn't mind some thoughts on an issue I'm having. I've got a Holden 179 in a Series 1, which I drive everyday :). It has a glass bowl fuel pump. Seemed to have some fuel starvation issues at idle, and I could see some air bubbles coming into the glass bowl which indicated to me that air was getting in somewhere. I replaced all the hose clamps between the tank and fuel pump, and an inline fuel filter I have in this section while I was at it. No sign of air bubbles now that I can tell, but it is still having trouble at idle, and the fuel level in the glass bowl seems low to me (level with or below the gauze strainer). I was about to replace the fuel pump and was going to just get a fuelmiser new sealed type. Just thought I'd check here first, as it's such a great resource that I should utilise more :). If there was a fuel pump issue, is it odd that it seems to run fine on the road (or with choke), only has problems at idle? Thanks in advance. Brendan.


G'day Brendan,

You can get rebuild kits for cheaper than the Fuelmiser new pump. It could also be some issue with the carburettor?

No association with the seller. Accessed November 18, 2016 from, Holden 6 Cylinder Red Motor Mechanical Glass Bowl AC Fuel Pump Repair Kit 199VC | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Holden-6-Cylinder-Red-Motor-Mechanical-Glass-Bowl-AC-Fuel-Pump-Repair-Kit-199VC-/272423237875?hash=item3f6db0b8f3:g:OrMAAOSwI2dXFa6 R)

Kind Regard
Lionel

[1950landy]

The carbys on Holdens have a bad habit of blowing the gaskets between the carby base & main body. It is caused by the two screws securing the base to the body coming loose. I would be putting a kit through the carby .

[1950landy]

The two gaskets are no 75. A quick check is to get a spray bottle with water & spray it around the carby if it is leaking you will here it suck the water in & the idle will change for a split second. Also if you push on top of carby gently you will feel it rocking.

[bbart]

Thanks heaps for the suggestions! Tried these and a few other simple things. Removed the petrol cap and bingo she instantly started purring!! Must be a blocked breather in the cap, got it soaking in carby cleaner now. Sweet :D:D. There is still quite noticeable bubbles coming into the glass bowl fuel pump, anyone know if that's normal or not? She's idling well now so that's the main thing I guess.. Cheers!

[bbart]

Actually the ball bearing in the cap breather is stuck in the up position. I assume it's supposed to be held up by the spring and split-pin, to let air in but not fuel/fumes out? I removed a small split pin and spring but the ball bearing is stuck in there.

[1950landy]

When you shake the breather it should rattle , give it a good wash out with kero or what ever you are soaking the carby in to clean all the oil gunge out.
while you are at it check the points have not closed up or better still replace them, that can give you a poor idle also.

[bbart]

It wasn't rattling before but now is. And running fine :D. No points as I installed an electronic distributor ;). Thanks for your help!