Engine cutting out - fuel supply problem?

[Jim-Phillips]

Ever since I ran a batch of biodiesel I have had problems with my fuel filter blocking. I have had to change it three time is as many weeks. I know that bio can cause any gunk in the tank to dislodge so was prepared for this.

Today the engine started spluttering again - I changed the filter but the problem is still there. Before the engine ran great on a new filter but this time the new filter has had no effect.

I managed to splutter to the local garage and the mechanic has suggested dropping the tank - cleaning it out and see where we go from there. he suggested there may be a filter in the tank which is blocked.

How does this sound as a plan? I don't think there is any gunk in the injector pump - the engine runs great intermittantly but splutters as it is starved of fuel. Could there be another cause for the problem? I have seen a lot of sediment in the filters each time I have changed them so think I am barking up the right tree.

The local mechanic also suggested that Milner filters are rubbish (he sell a few imported Surfs so knows a bit about them) Any thoughts??

Cheers, Jim

[kcsl]

I wouldn't have thought there was a filter "in" the tank as there would be no way of getting to it... but I'm ready to be corrected if I'm wrong.

More likely "Gunk" in the pipes between the tank and the filter ?
The bore on the fuel lines isn't that great and I guess it wouldn't take too much to part block them.

[lord lucan]

if there is a filter in the tank i,ve always cleared them by blowing back through the fueline with an air line,take the fuel cap of first.

[firefly]

give her some injector cleaner too this may unclog any injectors with gunk worked on my citroen that was displaying same symptoms after using svo

[dave.j.robbo]

give her some injector cleaner too this may unclog any injectors with gunk worked on my citroen that was displaying same symptoms after using svo

Good idea to do this in conjunction with a filter change. Pour neat redex into the new filter before fitting. Also stops you having to pump away at the primer for too long!!

[Vagrant No2]

I think you can get to the fuel pick up/electric fuel pump via a plate under the osr seat base . I maybe completly wrong ! . If it is there , no need to drop the tank . You could remove the unit via the access plate . I have read that the wires to the pump can corrode and the pump give intermitant fuel supply .

[Jim-Phillips]

update...

Well. The mechanic says he has removed a brown liquid from the tank which he says doesn't look like diesel. I guess it is a mix of diesel and crud.

He also said that he has steam cleaned it three times. Also, there is a strainer in the outlet from the tank which he had to throw away as it was so blocked that even with compressed air he couldn't clear it.

He then used a hand pump to draw the diesel from the tank up to the engine bay - that too was blocked but he has now cleaned it through.

So I have a clean tank and an easy flow from the tank up to the filter.

Apparently the engine is running but cuts out when revved. He has put some injector cleaner ito the tank and it seems to be improving. The plan is to let it run for an hour and see how it goes then....

[lord lucan]

Well. The mechanic says he has removed a brown liquid from the tank which he says doesn't look like diesel. I guess it is a mix of diesel and crud.

He also said that he has steam cleaned it three times. Also, there is a strainer in the outlet from the tank which he had to throw away as it was so blocked that even with compressed air he couldn't clear it.

He then used a hand pump to draw the diesel from the tank up to the engine bay - that too was blocked but he has now cleaned it through.

So I have a clean tank and an easy flow from the tank up to the filter.

Apparently the engine is running but cuts out when revved. He has put some injector cleaner ito the tank and it seems to be improving. The plan is to let it run for an hour and see how it goes then....

would you use biodiesel again?

[Jim-Phillips]

Would I? That's the question. I suppose now I have a clean tank there is no reason why not. It all fixed and working now thankfully.

A bill for £200 (£20 diesel £18 fuekl filter £12 injector cleaner + Labour + VAT) and I'm back on the road..