not getting fuel

[thebigbread]

i think i found out why my tercel randomly "dies". Its got good plugs, timing is advanced (its actually been running advanced for a month now, i doubt that would be it) BUT i found out what it is: even with a half-full tank, there is no gas in the carb (looking through the float glass). i believe the problem is the fuel filter, a few days ago i COMPLETELY ran out of gas, i guess it picked up some trash, older cars tend to do that when there is little fuel.

well its 9:30, ill fix it tommorrow.

[takza]

These are strange cars. I found that my hard starting issue when sitting for a few days was due to a failing fuel pump...so where I thought the gas was staying in the fuel bowl...it must have been bleeding back to the tank or into the carbon canister...but I didn't see any black smoke...meaning it wasn't going down into the intake.

New fuel pump...problem solved. Pump was also noisy...sticking in cold weather.

I've seen a Corolla simply stop running due to a clogged filter.

[thebigbread]

These are strange cars. I found that my hard starting issue when sitting for a few days was due to a failing fuel pump...so where I thought the gas was staying in the fuel bowl...it must have been bleeding back to the tank or into the carbon canister...but I didn't see any black smoke...meaning it wasn't going down into the intake.

New fuel pump...problem solved. Pump was also noisy...sticking in cold weather.

I've seen a Corolla simply stop running due to a clogged filter.

yesterday i removed the filter, hooked it up to a air compressor, & the gas came out clean. Since my filter is transparent, you can tell if its full of gas or not. I emptied it using the air compressor, then hooked it back up to the fuel lines & cranked it about 3 times. I checked the filter, & it was full of gas. most likely that means the fuel pump is working, im not sure. fuel is getting all the way to the outlet on the fuel pump, but that carb float area is still empty. I was going to crank it (to see if the carb would fill up) but the battery is dead from cranking it so much.

[thebigbread]

here's something interesting:

I removed the Fuel pump, & sucked some seafoam through the return valve by moving the lever arm. it sucked in about 1/4-1/2 oz. I shook it, & let it set for 30-45 minutes. Then, I moved the arm several times to get the seafoam out bolted it back on & hooked up all the fuel lines. The tercel immediately started up & ran fine.

[ARCHINSTL]

Good to know - Thanks.
How about keeping an eye on this and, if that is the cure, then making a post in the Repair Guides section to that effect?
Sometimes these "little fixes" get lost.
Tom M.

[thebigbread]

Good to know - Thanks.
How about keeping an eye on this and, if that is the cure, then making a post in the Repair Guides section to that effect?
Sometimes these "little fixes" get lost.
Tom M.

Will do, but right now its not idling. the old spark plugs are fouled (they are from my dad's 1949 8N). Ill buy some NGK's tommorrow and if the pump seems to stay working, i will post a repair thread about this.

[Petros]

I would replace your filter anyway. They are cheap and you can not determine if they are partially plugged the way you "tested" it. It can still pass fuel but not always enough for all road conditions, causing it to die at seeming randum moments.

Also if your pump is bad I doubt the seafoam would fix it for very long. It is possible some crud was caught in one of the valves and it cleaned it out. But if there is crud in the pump it means your filter is not working. Fuel pumps are not expensive either, but I would wait until you know the pump is bad. BTW, a simple test with a fuel preure gauge would tell you if the pump is working correctly (you can rent one at most AutoZone stores for free, or just use it in the parking lot).

Good luck and keep us posted.