THE PORTAL HUB - Pinzgauers, Haflingers, Volvo 303s and more!

Hello,
My Pinz has always been a strong running machine. Strong on hills, steady idle, nice powerband. Last weekend, I was driving it in the morning and was running as normal. In the afternoon, i went on a short trip and while I was heading home, I felt the power diminish and then the engine would die. I could get it started again and the only way I could keep it running was to rapidly pump the gas pedal. That would get me about a 1000 ft before it would die again. I had a completely full tank of gas. My first thought was a fuel filter issue but I thought I would reach out here to see if there has been someone with a common experience that might inform my efforts.

Thank you so much for your help and insights.

Khan

Check carb solenoid and connection

tank empty?

audiocontr wrote:tank empty?

Tank is completely full.

michaelh712 wrote:Check carb solenoid and connection

Will do. Thank you!

Any documents you can point me to that outlines the solenoid system?

Fuel pump might be another possible cause.

Solenoids only work on idle. Should have 24v at them. Unplug them and listen for click if okay.

Red tank lining can flake and plug intake. Search "red death" or "tank lining".

Use a temp gas supply and test carb & engine functions.

khansmith wrote:

michaelh712 wrote:Check carb solenoid and connection

Will do. Thank you!

Any documents you can point me to that outlines the solenoid system?

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=7864&p=56760&hilit ... ick#p56760

In no way was i being sarcastic - I once ran out of fuel while giving a prospective buyer a test drive. Learned the hard way that the sender was very inaccurate (broken)!

Need to make sure you have fuel. Many ways you can do it - Easiest is investigating the fuel filter or looking into the carbs wide open.

Let me chime in before you go chasing your tail First pull the air box off and put hand over carbs while running to draww out and debri's from jets(Race day tune up), then look at the obvious. Start with fuel supply and power to solenoids. If the pump and sol's check out ok, then pull the fuel sender from the tank and look for lining de-lamination (red death). The flakes plug the pick up.
Put a 5 gallon pail under the tank, pull the plug and the flakes/sheets of lining will be pulled out with the fuel .
If pump is bad, you can use a VW Beetle pump in most cases, and just re clock the top in a pinch

Wow....I am so happy with these suggestions. Thank you so much!

Are you experiencing vapor lock?
The engine compartment gets pretty hot around the fuel lines. Especially in the heat of the day. The ethanol (which has recently been added to all fuels) vaporizes at much lower temps compared to pure fuel. The fuel pump is designed to pump liquid, not vapor. So it acts like it's running out of gas.
Try insulating all the fuel lines with foam backed metallic heat reflective tape. It worked for me.

Twin Pinzies wrote:Are you experiencing vapor lock?
The engine compartment gets pretty hot around the fuel lines. Especially in the heat of the day. The ethanol (which has recently been added to all fuels) vaporizes at much lower temps compared to pure fuel. The fuel pump is designed to pump liquid, not vapor. So it acts like it's running out of gas.
Try insulating all the fuel lines with foam backed metallic heat reflective tape. It worked for me.

It could be vapor lock. It was a very hot day. I think your idea reflective tape is a great one.

a bit off topic. Your avitar is freaking me out. Am I alone here?

Andre wrote:a bit off topic. Your avitar is freaking me out. Am I alone here?

Totally with you. I opened up the thread and peed a little. All good now.