<VV> Spyder Bucking/Stalling problem - Final Answer!

[Ron]

So, the real interesting info is that it was a non-stock add on that was 
causing the trouble.  Any lesson to be learned from that?

RonH

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Doug Mackintosh" <dougmackintosh at yahoo.com>
To: "Virtual Vairs" <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2008 8:49 PM
Subject: Re: <VV> Spyder Bucking/Stalling problem - Final Answer!


>I finally fixed the bucking / stalling problem I posted a while back. 
>Thanks to all for the many suggestions, many of which I tested before 
>landing on the actual culprit.
>
> For those who have forgotten, the symptoms were:
>
> - Car started and ran OK.
> - After 10-15 miles it would start bucking, or just die.
> - After sitting a minute, it would restart, with some cranking required.
> - Higher speed and harder running aggravated the condition (more frequent 
> stalls)
> - Lower fuel level also seemed to aggravate the condition
>
> This weekend, I finally got around to checking the tank and lines (while 
> the tank was full I checked out other possibilities). I have a filter 
> mounted under the car behind the tank, with a hose from the tank to the 
> filter, and another hose from the filter then looping around into a hole 
> in the cross brace, then back out a different hole and then to the steel 
> line going to the back of the car. When I disconnected the hose at the 
> steel line heading to the rear, I only got a small trickle of fuel. When I 
> disconnected the hose from the sender, I got a very strong stream out of 
> the sender. Based on this I believe the filter (very dirty) and/or the 
> long hose that ran through the cross brace (possibly pinched) were causing 
> the restriction.
>
> I removed the sender and checked the tank (no obvious problems inside), 
> replaced the pickup sock (dirty but not dirty enough to prevent a strong 
> stream from the sender), replaced the hoses and filter, and blew out the 
> line running to the rear. I also changed my filter setup to avoid routing 
> a hose through the cross brace (to avoid possible pinching).
>
> After that I took it for a long cruise and the problem is gone!
>
> There is one mystery I may never resolve. When I did the initial fuel flow 
> tests (at cranking speed) on the fuel pump I got 1 pint in 26 seconds. My 
> estimate of fuel consumption during my test runs (when it stalled) was 
> about 1/4 of this rate. Seems like the restriction in the hose and filter 
> (if it was enough to cause the stalling) would have kept the pump from 
> being able to deliver that flow.
>
> -- Doug Mackintosh
> Corsa member since 1996
> Corsa/NC member since 1996, Virtual Vairs member
> Corvair owner 1969-1971 and 1996-on
>
>
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