AU problem after running out of fuel

[Sox]

Wifey ran the AU2 wagon (petrol only) out of fuel yesterday.
Upon filling with 20L of 95 petrol from drum, the poor wagon wasn't happy.

It's missing and spluttering badly, barely taking throttle from much above idle.


During the ~50k drive to from where it ran out to home, it was a bit intermittent, sometimes accelerating ok-ish, and other times barely able to cross an intersection.

It idles fine, and slightly clears as revs increase, but at any point above idle it isn't right.

Obviously I looked towards fuel issues first, thinking sludge has clogged up the works.
I fitted a new fuel filter this morning, with absolutely no change.

Forscan showed a coil problem, which has shown before, though I swapped it over anyhow (just in case), but no change.

My next step is to swap injectors and FPR. I may also have to drain the tank.


My questions are, who here has had this happen and what was the fault?

I have a strange feeling that this may be something else entirely as it did have a bit of a miss about a week ago for a short distance.
I say this mainly because the DTE had only just hit zero, and the car had only gone another 2k or so. My other AU's can typically go a further 40k or so.

I also ran out in my P250 only 2 months ago on the highway, filled it also from a drum and away it went as if nothing had happened.

[Bushbasher]

Have you considered that the fuel pump may be dying due to being run dry. And what a fun job it is to change in a wagon too. You have to drop the tank to get at the pump.

[Sox]

Originally Posted by Bushbasher

Have you considered that the fuel pump may be dying due to being run dry. And what a fun job it is to change in a wagon too. You have to drop the tank to get at the pump.

I sure have considered it, but waiting to hear more opinions as I'd rather drop the tank as a last resort for the reasons you've just mentioned...

[Maka]

The symptoms sound fuel pump to me, ive had similar symptoms from a dying coilpack also... but you threw another coilpack in, so... If you can Sox, maybe do a fuel pressure test to confirm the fuel pump is gone (if youve got the tools?) - how many kays on this fuel pump? I would do this test before touching anything else imo. Good luck!

cheers, Maka

[burnz]

how was the fuel in the old filter?
any trace of water, was the element damaged/holed?

does the AU use a return line of bleeder valve, is a fuel sample possible?

[speedzter]

If the fuel pump has a few years on it, that's my bet .
Similar thing happened to my XR8 ute, that tank was very low, but not empty.
Limped to a servo, but didn't make it very far after that.
Pump was stuffed.

[Sox]

I have done a couple of very crude tests, I know this isn't the correct procedure, but maybe one of you blokes know whether this is within normal guesstimate parameters.

The pump delivered over 400ml in 10s.
I'm not able to measure pressure, however it appears to be quite high, at least 30-40psi (this is based on nothing more than placing my thumb over the end of the fuel line).

[Maka]

In my ellery's manual it says 240cc / ml in 10sec is spec, so its overfuelling unfortunately. Fuel reg, temp sensor, iat sensor, 02 sensor or a fuel line (that may be kinked) probably need checking now just in case you throw another pump in & its still doing it.

cheers, Maka

[Sox]

Originally Posted by Maka

In my ellery's manual it says 240cc / ml in 10sec is spec, so its overfuelling unfortunately. Fuel reg, temp sensor, iat sensor, 02 sensor or a fuel line (that may be kinked) probably need checking now just in case you throw another pump in & its still doing it.

cheers, Maka

Yeh I read 240cc to, however that's at a measured 275kpa.

I measured +400cc with an unrestricted open end, which is why it's substantially higher.

I'll try and test it again via the return so it's regulated.

[madmelon]

I ran my mums EL wagon out of fuel once (faulty gauge). Destroyed the spark plugs- hesitated, misfired etc. New plugs and it was all good!

[Sox]

There's no fuel coming from the return line under any condition.
I swapped the FPR, no change.
I removed the FPR completely, and the lines are clear.

This points to not enough fuel pressure.

Need to get myself a fuel pressure tester.

[Maka]

A fpt will make things alot easier, but you done well without one too!

Ive got to replace my fpr, i think i stuffed it (slightly squashed top half, damaged diapragm?) removing it to clean the guaze. The symptom i'm getting is if it sits for 1/2 hour or so after fully warmed up, it takes a second crank to fire up sometimes. Pretty sure it wasnt doing it before i removed it. Oh well, the joys of diy!

cheers, Maka

[Sox]

Thanks for the help here guys, I managed to methodically work it out today.

Yesterday wifey grabbed a fuel pressure tester on her way home.

First thing this morning I plumbed it up, made fuel pump work, and maximum pressure was 15psi.
Bingo!!
Pressure should be approx 40psi.

Grabbed a new pump from the local spare parts joint, banged it in, tested pressure before completely fitting tank.
Pressure was right on 40psi, and fuel also came out of the return line as it should.

I'm guessing the pump was close to death for a while and running it dry put the final nail in the coffin.

Thanks again gents.

[Uncle_Ken]

Glad you got it sorted
UK

[fordfalconed]

Well done Sox for DIY and getting a fix plus will help me in future as a refence point.