Alfa Pages

ZeNiTh-PbArM · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2003 8:42 pm Post subject: fuel injection problem!

hi!

i'm havin' troubles with my beloved 33 (1.3 ie).
The fuel pump is getting noisy, very noisy : i know there's something wrong since it wasn't before. The whine is continuous, but irregular
fuel pump and filter have been replaced 10000 miles ago, original alfa parts.
i've been dropping the tank the other day, but i didn't see anything worn or clogged.
i wonder if the fuel filter could have become clogged in 10,000 miles? would it be possible?
my next try will be to test fuel pressure with a gauge, at the pump and at the fuel rail, to see if the fuel pressure regulator is faulty (i will hopefully check it this weekend).
do you have any ideas what might cause the problem?

thanks for your help,
regards,
zp

Gary UK · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2003 12:42 am Post subject:

The tanks are very prone to rust and this may have clogged the filter and knackered the pump.

ZeNiTh-PbArM · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2003 5:10 pm Post subject: re : fuel problem

hi!

thanks for the info, i've just bought a pressure gauge, some threaded fittings, and i'll check the pressure.
tomorrow i'm gonna buy a new filter, too, to see if it affects the noise.
i'll keep you informed

regards,
zp

zp · Guest

hi!

i've just installed an in-line pressure gauge, between the pressure damper and the fuel rail.
verdict : 2.0bar! that's not enough, the manual (thanks Keith) says 2.5
i've tested the device without unplugging the vacuum hose on the regulator ; if i do that, i should have 3.0 bar according to the book.

well, that leaves some possibilities :
1) the gauge i use is inaccurate : i will put the gauge at the outlet of the pump tomorrow to see if the readings are the same.
2) fuel filter is clogged : i've bought one yesterday, and the only part i was able to get quickly is the filter for a 1.5ie, but fittings/threads seem to match ; we'll see tomorrow.
3) fuel pressure regulator is faulty and lets too much fuel flow back to the tank : i doubt it, since this should not stress the pump and generate noise
4) fuel pump is dead Sad

( which would really annoy me since it's expensive and has been replaced a short time ago, my wallet still remembers that day!!

i don't think the return hose to the tank is likely to be faulty since this would cause higher than usual readings on the gauge.

if you see any obvious things i could have missed, please tell me, because tomorrow will be a harsh day ; i've bought some jerrycans, i'll perhaps drop the tank, i want to find out what's going on!

thanks for your help,
regards,
zp

Admin · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2003 9:55 pm Post subject:

Hi

The fuel pump is a fairly common Bosch item. If you are happy to change the electrical connections then I think one off any number of GM cars will fit, and should be readily available from a breakers yard

All the best

Keith

zp · Guest

hi!

i dropped the tank today, which was a pain in the ass to do since emptying it before is a hell of a job.
after two hours of hard work in the sun, the tank got out : its inside is rusted like hell! the little filter at the sucking pipe was clogged, i suspect the main filter is clogged, too, because the last liters to come from the tank had a brown rust color.

i wanted to clean the tank, i took out two handfuls of sludge through the microscopic gauge hole, and after cleaning and rinsing the tank, what do i see? light coming through the bottom. oh noooooooooo the rust has already destroyed the tank, there are many little holes in the bottom.
i will replace the tank, a new one costs 180€ at the dealer, my beloved 33 deserves it but i will finish the month eating noodles...i saw in the parts cdrom that the tank i have is specific for fuel-injected 33s, and there is no such car in any of the scrapyards around. moreover, i suppose the second-hand tanks i could find will be rusted inside, too?
i have never let the fuel level drop below 25liters in the tank, but i don't know how the previous owners have treated the poor car.

well, thanks for the tips you gave me, i hope i will be able to get a new tank, hoses, and clamps soon...guess who's going to take the bicycle to go to work tomorrow?

regards
zp

Gary UK · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2003 11:57 pm Post subject:

If the straps need replacing just cut the fixings off the old ones (after measuring the length) and reweld onto some scrap strips of metal. I have done this before with metal strips from a scrap merchants heap, got for free of course, saved £16. God I'm a tight git!!