K301 fuel starvation?

[Mickwhitt 4,875]

Hi guys.

The recently rebired and rebuilt Little Red Fred engine is running well, but every so often falters and slows as if I've cut the throttle, then it picks right up again. Cant see the governor moving when it does this when stood still, obviously hard to see whats happening when I'm driving. Its not doing it all the time but enough to be a worry if I leave the house with him. 

Felt like I was running out of juice but fuel level was good. 

Fuel pump? Its the original mechanical lift pump.

Any guidance glady accepted. 

[roadapples 6,983]

I put the blue/clear fuel line on mine so I could see what the gas was doing. It's also good for 100% ethanol....

[Maxwell-8 4,366]

ignition cutout? Bad sparkplug?

[squonk 41,895]

First thought is fuel pump. These things are getting quite old. You can disconnect the line at the carb and crank it over an see how much fuel is being pushed out. Also clogged fuel outlet at the tank or Caa Caa in the carb bowl.

[Handy Don 13,053]

16 minutes ago, squonk said:

Caa Caa in the carb bowl

I really enjoy listening in on these high-tech conversations! 🤣

[peter lena 8,968]

@Mickwhitt mick, thinking 3 possible causes , original pump, rebuild or replace it , electrical gremlins , possibilities , anything else you do , like using lights , pto drive , that causes the issue ?. have a fuel filter on that ? how about your fuel tank shut off valve ? ever replace that ? if your fuel tank is / was dirty could be a clogged valve, filter, they are a single unit . thats my shot at it , pete

[ebinmaine 69,687]

5 hours ago, Handy Don said:

I really enjoy listening in on these high-tech conversations! 🤣

He's gotta phrase things so's folk like me understand.  

[8ntruck 7,254]

How about an intermittant blockage of the fuel tank vent? 

[Mickwhitt 4,875]

I will go through the fuel system from tank to carb. 

Its only intermittent but its a but scary when she dies off a little then runs up to normal. 

I'll grab a little video clip of it if I can then go through the system.

I do have an inline fuel filter and its clean, there is a fuel primer bulb and thats halfway along the chassis rather than at the tank, don't think that should make a difference.  Fuel pump has not been touched so could be that but it must be working to get her running.

I'll report back soon. 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,175]

It always amazes me how much debris ends up it the tank as careful as one is.

The debris will get drawn to the screen in the tank outlet by fuel consumption. Shut engine off and the debris will float away from the screen allowing fuel to flow again. Start it up again and the cycle repeats it's self.

[peter lena 8,968]

@Mickwhitt  BTW , if you do pull out that fuel tank valve , and replace it , use a DIELECTRIC GREASE as your installation lubrication help , its made for rubber / plastic  applications , makes that heavy rubber ring and installation of  valve insert much easier .  thats what I use , pete

[ranger 1,770]

7 hours ago, Mickwhitt said:

I will go through the fuel system from tank to carb. 

Its only intermittent but its a but scary when she dies off a little then runs up to normal. 

I'll grab a little video clip of it if I can then go through the system.

I do have an inline fuel filter and its clean, there is a fuel primer bulb and thats halfway along the chassis rather than at the tank, don't think that should make a difference.  Fuel pump has not been touched so could be that but it must be working to get her running.

I'll report back soon. 

This is exactly the same scenario that plagued my C121. I also had a priming bulb in the line, and as the engine faltered I would give it a couple of pumps, and away it would go again. I changed all of the fuel lines, even the carb. In the end an electric pump cured all the issues! Mechanical pump always appeared ok when tested, but that’s how somethings go I suppose?. 🤔

[Mickwhitt 4,875]

So fitting an electrical fuel pump,  I'm sure I've seen information on here before but can't find it.

Simple job? Easy to source a suitable pump?  

Mick 

[Mickwhitt 4,875]

is this the kind of thing that will work?

[ranger 1,770]

Loads of them for sale on “the bay”, Mick. Make sure you get one that has a max pressure of 2-3 psi, or fit an adjustable regulator, again quite reasonable prices.

[ranger 1,770]

2 minutes ago, Mickwhitt said:

is this the kind of thing that will work?

That one looks to have a bit too high a pressure, you would certainly need a regulator with that.

[Mickwhitt 4,875]

Thats great thanks, I will have a look for one, definitely worth a try as I've never done anything with the fuel lift pump and im guessing it could be the diaphragm thats failing.

 

[kpinnc 13,080]

If the pump isn't the problem, replace the condenser. For something so little, they cause some odd issues at times.

[ebinmaine 69,687]

2 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

. For something so little, they cause some odd issues at times.

Trina's like that.  

 

Do NOT tell her I said that.   

[Jeff-C175 7,203]

1 hour ago, ranger said:

too high a pressure,

 

Agreed... @Mickwhitt there's a model that has 1-2 PSI of pressure.

 

Facet/Purolator 60304  "kit" with fittings FEP304SV or 60246

 

NAPA 610-3021 

 

Edited February 1, 2022 by Jeff-C175

[kpinnc 13,080]

1 minute ago, ebinmaine said:

 

Do NOT tell her I said that. 

 

Reminds me of another funny...

 

 

[ranger 1,770]

One advantage regarding electric pumps often mentioned is, drastically reduces ‘Cranking time’, fuel is at the carb within a couple of seconds of switching on ignition!

[peter lena 8,968]

@ranger  put a small  single green LED light on my dash when ignition / pump is on , thats assurance its doing the job .not really needed , but it works, pete

[pfrederi 18,157]

Some have luck with cheap electric pumps... i did not.  and when it fails a long way from your shop and you have to drag the tractor and front mount mower home the $15 or so bucks I saved suddenly weren't worth it...

[squonk 41,895]

2 hours ago, Mickwhitt said:

So fitting an electrical fuel pump,  I'm sure I've seen information on here before but can't find it.

Simple job? Easy to source a suitable pump?  

Mick