fuel starvation
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2013
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fuel starvation
I have a 1987 corvette I recently installed a new motor from a1992 corvette with an actual 100 miles on it. Installation and fitment was fine but now I notice when turning corners slow or fast it seem as though the motor starves for fuel it is unresponsive until I straighten it out and then fuel power is restored and it runs great until I have to turn again. A new fuel pump was installed, as well as new plugs and wires , water pump the list goes on and on. Does anybody on the forum have any ideas as to what the problem could be? Thank You
Last edited by kocoach; May 17, 2017 at 02:03 PM. Reason: add information
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
What is the fuel level in the tank when this happens? C4's seem to want a minimum of 1/4 to about 1/3 of a tank to keep this from happening.
The bottom of the tank is supposed to have a way to contain some fuel around the pickup. There is a strainer that mounts to the fuel pickup and it is supposed to fit down in that area.
You may want to remove the fuel pickup/pump assembly (again) and check for anything that may prevent gas from staying in that area. Check to make sure the fuel lines are securely attached to the pump and pulsator. Could be that the strainer has come loose. Do this when the tank is nearly empty so you don't have to siphon out lots of gas.
The bottom of the tank is supposed to have a way to contain some fuel around the pickup. There is a strainer that mounts to the fuel pickup and it is supposed to fit down in that area.
You may want to remove the fuel pickup/pump assembly (again) and check for anything that may prevent gas from staying in that area. Check to make sure the fuel lines are securely attached to the pump and pulsator. Could be that the strainer has come loose. Do this when the tank is nearly empty so you don't have to siphon out lots of gas.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,417
Likes: 3,271
From: Hartford WI
What is the fuel level in the tank when this happens? C4's seem to want a minimum of 1/4 to about 1/3 of a tank to keep this from happening.
The bottom of the tank is supposed to have a way to contain some fuel around the pickup. There is a strainer that mounts to the fuel pickup and it is supposed to fit down in that area.
You may want to remove the fuel pickup/pump assembly (again) and check for anything that may prevent gas from staying in that area. Check to make sure the fuel lines are securely attached to the pump and pulsator. Could be that the strainer has come loose.
Do this when the tank is nearly empty so you don't have to siphon out lots of gas.
The bottom of the tank is supposed to have a way to contain some fuel around the pickup. There is a strainer that mounts to the fuel pickup and it is supposed to fit down in that area.
You may want to remove the fuel pickup/pump assembly (again) and check for anything that may prevent gas from staying in that area. Check to make sure the fuel lines are securely attached to the pump and pulsator. Could be that the strainer has come loose.
Do this when the tank is nearly empty so you don't have to siphon out lots of gas.
Yes, I have the baffle. If the baffle comes off or has been removed, I suppose it can cause issues.
That might be a good point. Perhaps it is the pulsator that came loose or is dumping gas out of the system and back into the tank.
Why? It comes from the top. On my Excursion with a 44 (but I have driven it to 46 gallon fillups) gal tank, it is nothing short of fun. I took out the filter in that one and ran an external filter.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Hartford WI
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,692
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From: Sacramento California
Some of the engine sensors will cut power if they detect a potentially damaging condition, such as low oil, low coolant, some others I can't think of right now. You may not have low oil or low coolant but if the sensor is bad or going out (or sending odd signals) then it might cut the power. Just a thought.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,417
Likes: 3,271
From: Hartford WI
Some of the engine sensors will cut power if they detect a potentially damaging condition, such as low oil, low coolant, some others I can't think of right now. You may not have low oil or low coolant but if the sensor is bad or going out (or sending odd signals) then it might cut the power. Just a thought.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,423
Likes: 96
From: Magnolia Tx
Some of the engine sensors will cut power if they detect a potentially damaging condition, such as low oil, low coolant, some others I can't think of right now. You may not have low oil or low coolant but if the sensor is bad or going out (or sending odd signals) then it might cut the power. Just a thought.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,699
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Only one I can think of that will do anything of that nature is the oil pressure sensor and under certain conditions. There are 2 sources of power and the oil pressure sensor is the backup. So, if that is correct, the main circuit would have to fail and the backup kicks in. When the pressure is low, power would be cut. Kinda stretch but that is all I can think of.
The oil pressure switch provides a secondary circuit for the starter. It will not **** the motor off.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,153
Likes: 553
From: Glenbeulah Wi
I have a 1987 corvette I recently installed a new motor from a1992 corvette with an actual 100 miles on it. Installation and fitment was fine but now I notice when turning corners slow or fast it seem as though the motor starves for fuel it is unresponsive until I straighten it out and then fuel power is restored and it runs great until I have to turn again. A new fuel pump was installed, as well as new plugs and wires , water pump the list goes on and on. Does anybody on the forum have any ideas as to what the problem could be? Thank You
The initial item that I would check would be to monitor the fuel pressure while driving the car and see what it does when you notice the problem. With that being said, since this is a engine swap it could be something less obvious so scanning the car may be necessary to see if timing or something else is going on. That is why I am asking about how the swap was performed.
Last edited by bjankuski; May 18, 2017 at 07:46 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2013
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From: Sacramento California