The Shark won't swim.

[dattson510]

OK, my B210 (The Shark) is having fuel delivery problems. They started a while ago and me and my mechanic have gone though several steps to no avail. She will start, idle, and will run until I demand lots of fuel. The demand isn't that great really, 4th gear or going up a hill. Then she will bog down and give up the ghost or I can put the clutch in and let the bowl refill on the carb.

 

If I look at the fuel filter while it's running there is only about a 1/4 of an inch, to around it being 1/2 full at any time.

First the fuel pump died. Replaced it. Tested the flow. But the problem continues.

Thought I had a dirty gas tank. Back blew the system then opened it up. The tank is clean.

Went through all the lines and there are no holes.

The return line is clear.

I'm at a loss.

Any help?

[Cuts metal like mad]

Is your tank vent working properly? If not, the pump could be struggling to get fuel from the tank...

[ggzilla]

1975 and newer B210 have a fuel return line. And has a vent line that goes up to the engine compartment. Be sure the vent line is not capped, it should go to the charcoal cannister.

 

Be sure you have the right fuel cap, it lets air in, but not out. If you put a fixed cap on it you can get vapor lock.

[dattson510]

It's a 77 and we actually found that the return line was capped. We cleared it and the problem continues. The entire set up has been the same, including the gas cap and the capped return line, since I bought it months ago. Have I just been lucky?

Thanks for the quick replies.

[Cuts metal like mad]

When you open the gas cap to fill it, does it hiss real loud or just a little?

[dattson510]

It used to hiss quite a bit. I was having trouble getting home from work one night and I pulled over to crack the cap thinking the very same thing. Big hiss. It helped me get home but since I cleared the return line I've been leaving the gas cap cracked.

[HRH]

Did you replace the fuel filter? You say you looked at it, perhaps it's partially clogged. Sounds like the symptoms.

[dattson510]

I replaced the fuel filter when I changed the pump about a week ago.

The problem is that there is little to no fuel getting to the filter in the first place.

Drove her to work this morning and she made it. The only time she bogged down was during a hill.

Tested the gas tank hiss by locking down the gas cap and there was none. So the uncapped return line is helping.

[banzai510(hainz)]

the fuel filter in most cases will only look like its half full anyways.

if its new then dont worry about it.

 

Maybe try running a small can of gas SAFEFLY and ee if it still does this.

 

ck the timming again.

 

secondary opening up?

 

is this a stock carb/weber DGV?

[]2eDeYe]

Floats out of adjustment?

[Cuts metal like mad]

don't tell me you gots a MSD... :D

[ggzilla]

What about the fuel tank vent line??? Don't forget the basics. The vent line is far more important than the return line.

 

 

Since removing the cap sometimes helps, it seems you have more than one problem. The cap should be this type:

Left: BAD, Right: GOOD

 

Neither of these are vented caps. The B210 should not have a vented cap. The one on the right has a suction relief valve it lets air into the tank, but not out.

[dattson510]

The vent line to the engine bay is clear. It's not exact, but the cap on the right looks more like mine. It seems that I need to take a look at the webber and see if the floats are adjusted right.

thanks for all your help thus far. I'll let you know what's up soon.

[Jester]

2eDeYe;192670'']Floats out of adjustment?

 

That was my thought as well. Drive it the way it is. Next time it starts to bog out, quickly shut it off and pull over. DON'T LET IT IDLE!!! Now check the filter. If you have fuel there, delivery is not the issue. Your issue is inside the carb.

[five10freak]

have you checked the filter in the carb?, i've seen the little mesh filter just where the fuel enters the carb clogged.

[dattson510]

I did check the filter in the carb and it's clean. Jester I'll give your suggestion a try. Thanks.

[dattson510]

Jester, I let it bog itself to a stall. Got out and checked the filter and there was about a 1/4 of an inch in there. So it's not pulling strong enough from the tank. I'm going to replace the pump again (it's still under warranty). This happened to me with a starter a while back. One goes out, so I replace it. The replacement is faulty, so I replace it. Everything is OK. Badlucky I guess. I'll put the new pump in tomorrow and let you know.

[Jester]

Cool. Now we're getting some where.

[freaky510]

sounds like you have a hole in the accelarator pump (s/p??) moms pc dont have spell check

[Jester]

Accelerator pump would cause issues at acceleration too though. :rolleyes:

[az_rat210]

It sounds like the flexible line from the Fuel Tank might be cracked and your sucking air instead of Fuel, that would cause the Fuel Filter to only be 1/4 full. It could also be flexible line to the fuel filter or from the fuel filter to the fuel pump.

 

Myself I would go on a Flexible Line replacement spree (if your gonna do one you might as well do them all).

[freaky510]

It sounds like the flexible line from the Fuel Tank might be cracked and your sucking air instead of Fuel, that would cause the Fuel Filter to only be 1/4 full. It could also be flexible line to the fuel filter or from the fuel filter to the fuel pump.

 

Myself I would go on a Flexible Line replacement spree (if your gonna do one you might as well do them all).

 

oooohhhh good one. I had to do that to my dime totaly forgot about the old dried out lines

[dattson510]

Just checked the recent posts and I'm already in the process of replacing all the old lines. Funny that we thinking of the exact same thing.

Thanks again for the ideas.

[Duncan]

Had a similar problem with my 1200 Coupe. The fuel line from the tank to the carb was clogged. I disconnected the line from both ends and hooked up my rubber-tipped air hose and blew the line out with 100lbs of pressure. All kinds of gunk came out the other end. It ran for years after that with NO fuel problems. A strange problem and solution for sure, but it worked like a champ..

[dattson510]

Thanks for all the advice guys. It was the rubber line between the pump and the filter. It looked fine from both ends but when I cut it in half the opening was warped into a small flat hole. Sucks how a 25 cent piece of hose can cause 3 weeks of frustration.