[Rovernet] P5 problem persists

[Robert Heimerl]

Hello Peter,  Someone may have already mentioned this possibility:  Years
ago a friend asked me to check out an early 70's Volvo 142E that had a
similar problem, almost exactly what you describe (running fine for about
half an hour, then stopping -- running fine again after sitting for a few
minutes).  I did all the basic checks, but couldn't find anything specific
that might cause these symptoms.  After it occurred several more times,
they took the car to an import car repair shop where the mechanic decided
it was due to a weak electric fuel pump.  He therefore replaced the Bosch
item at considerable expense.  Unfortunately the car continued to have the
same problem (would run fine for about half an hour, then began to lose
power, run rough, and finally come to a stop).  I questioned the car's
owner very carefully about anything they'd done to it in the period leading
up to this.  It turned out that they'd lost their fuel cap and had
temporarily covered the opening with aluminum foil.  Can you now guess the
cause of the problem?  The foil had fallen into the fuel filler neck (this
was before the unleaded gas nozzle restrictors narrowed the opening) and
went right into the tank.  As the car was driven for a longer period it
would pull the foil up to the intake and block the fuel supply.  If it sat
for a few minutes it would then start and run without difficulties -- the
foil had drifted away from the intake.  On that particular car there was
access to the tank via an opening for the fuel gauge sending unit, so I
took this loose and spotted the piece of foil, managed to remove it.
Problem solved.  We went back to the shop and got the owner to reluctantly
refund the amount for the fuel pump, then put the old one back in place
(which I'd insisted on having returned).  No further problems of this sort
occurred.  It may well be something else, but I hope this story might
somehow be of help.  It was a tough one to figure out.  Best of luck!
Robert H.

On Mon, May 25, 2015 at 12:25 PM, peter king via Rovernet <
rovernet at rovernet.org> wrote:

> That’s next in line, recommended by a number of folks on the list.. have
> to sort through my piles to see if I have a match, or order replacements.
>
> thanks,
>
> Peter
>
>
> > On May 25, 2015, at 9:30 AM, garrett bourque via Rovernet <
> rovernet at rovernet.org> wrote:
> >
> > Hello Peter,
> >  Another suggestion is to take the electronic ignition system off,
> > reinstall the points and condenser.  Electronic systems can overheat and
> > stop working...until they cool off again.
> >  Good luck, Garrett Bourque
> >
> > On Mon, May 25, 2015 at 3:40 AM, roger.matheson--- via Rovernet <
> > rovernet at rovernet.org> wrote:
> >
> >> Hi Peter,
> >>
> >> You have us all enthralled, like a soap opera but with no humour
> >> whatsoever.  Have you tried Alan's clever idea about eliminating fuel or
> >> electrics by squirting easy start into the carby throats, when the
> engine
> >> has stopped. Cough and run for a few seconds indicates fuel. No running
> >> suggests electrics. It all seems to be related to temperature and you
> seem
> >> to have checked all possibilities.
> >>
> >> But what about vacuum and that system. Now I am out of my knowledge here
> >> but I wonder whether loss of vacuum when hot means that the Su's will no
> >> longer work correctly hence creating fuel starvation (but not potential
> for
> >> supply from the pump). Try removing the vacuum tube to the booster and
> >> block the connection on the inlet manifold. Drive carefully (brakes but
> no
> >> booster) alternatively just replace the pipe. I wonder whether a crack
> in
> >> the inlet that opens up when the engine gets hot may also be a culprit.
> >> Perhaps try a stethoscope arrangement with a piece of flexible pipe.
> With
> >> one end at your ear move the other end over the inlet manifold. Such a
> >> fault significant to stop an engine would be detected by a loud hissing
> >> sound. With the air inlets off and some one reving the engine, observe
> the
> >> movement of the pistons when cold. Compare when the engine is acting up.
> >> Try also removing the crankcase ventilation pipes and blocking the
> >> connections to the carby's.
> >>
> >> Cheers from roger in Oz
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
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> Peter King
> Peter King + Company
> 21 Drydock Avenue
> Floor 7
> Boston, MA 02210
> 617-292-7877
> www.king-co.com
>
>
>
>
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