Fulvia s3 Coupe Fuel Pump

[David Worrall]

Hi, I'm new to Fulvias and am trying to get an old s3 coupe running again. I am told it last ran 12 months ago. Having disconnected a fuel pipe it seems to me that no fuel is coming through. I know fuel is in the tank (fresh fuel added). Where is the fuel pump on a Fulvia?

Thanks, David

[Huib]

The original mechanical fuel pump is under the carbs on the side of the engine. Someone may have replaced it by an electrical pump though.

[P. de R. Leclercq]

I have had fuel pick-up problems with Fulvias that have not run for some time.

The tank can rust inside at the top, due to condensation. This results in flakes blocking the fule line, or the filter in the base of the tank (around the drain plug) or at the pump inlet.

The first thing to do is to beat a vigorous drum solo on the top of the tank and then remove the drain plug (14mm Allen key) and drain the tank. There should be a satisfying torrent of rust and gunge. Then blow the pipe clear and you should be in business again.

Paul

[Tim Heath]

When removing the drain plug the filter assembly above the plug causes the petrol to come out horizontally. Not what you want when trying to catch it in a can etc. Best to empty most of the tank by siphoning before undoing plug. Also plug is generally bl**dy tight for obvious reasons. You could peer through the petrol gauge sender (after removal from top of tank) to a) siphon out and assess condition of tank.

Another reason for no fuel is that a piece crap from the tank is holding one of the valves open in the mechanical fuel pump Huib refered to. Have you tried sucking petrol through???

[Huib]

To empty the tank I disconnect the fuel line from the mechanical pump and attach it to an electrical pump which then pumps the fuel into a can. The advantage is that the fuel is picked up from the lowest point in the tank using the original plumbing.

Another possible cause for no fuel coming from the tank is that the tube in the tank broke. I have seen it once. Fuel gauge indicated half full but the engine died of fuel starvation. After filling up it ran nicely again.

[David Worrall]

Thanks both - will give it a go next chance I get (for my sins also trying to do up an X1/9 - messy gearbox swap)

[Peter Cripps]

David,

This will probably horrify regular readers of viva-lancia, but in my opinion the X1/9 and Fulvia are similar in many ways. Of course the basic drivetrain layouts are completely different, but both cars are compact, attractive, nimble, and generally go where they're pointed. Oh, and they're both a bit underpowered.

Now I daresay Huib will ban me from the forum .... .... but good luck with both projects!

Peter

[Tim Heath]

I nearly bought an X1/9 in my fading youth (ie thirty) but bought a beta monte carlo instead (much bigger loan!). I always felt an X1/9 was a delightful car but probably most italian rust bucket you could sink money into. But it probably braked better in the wet than the monte carlo - long since parted - to be followed by a fulvia which after fifty years has grown to 3!