RE: [alfa] GTV6 Running out of gas - maybe

["Jeff Greenfield" <alfaguy@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The pre-pump in the tank is probably dead. Car will work fine with a full
tank of fuel as the main fuel pump does not have to work as hard to suck the
fuel out. When you get below half a tank or so, the main pump can't suck the
fuel from the bottom of the tank (although pickup is at the bottom, the line
comes out through the top of the tank hence the need for the pre-pump to
pump the fuel out through the top to the main pump).

HTH,

Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-alfa@domain.elided [mailto:owner-alfa@domain.elided] On Behalf Of John
Brase
Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2004 8:43 AM
To: alfa@domain.elided
Subject: [alfa] GTV6 Running out of gas - maybe

Here's a new puzzler.  My habit is is to assume that as long as I can
make my low fuel light blink off I've still got fuel.  When it stays
yellow it's time to "find a station, dude."  This has worked in all my
Alfas for the last 35 years or so.  So, a couple weeks ago I pull out of
my after work watering hole and the light blinks on briefly.  No
problem, I'll fuel in the morning.  The light is on more and off less
but as long as it still goes off I'm good.  Half way home I punch it a
little and the car judders badly.  My first thought was a blown donut it
juddered that badly.  But there was no vibration off throttle or with
easy throttle.  Big vibration with anything over the
egg-on-the-gas-pedal method of driving.  Next morning, same thing.  I
drive to the gas station and fill up and the problem goes away.  OK, I
was running out of gas.  But that's strange.  Only running out when I
mash the loud pedal?

So, over the next few days I run that tank out and this time the big
engine miss and attendant judder starts just as soon as the fuel light
blinks.  Refueling solves the problem.  So maybe I've got water in the
tank and it's sucking water when the gas gets low.  I throw in a can of
 Stay-Dry (or whatever it's called) to soak up the water.  If there is any.

Yesterday I hit the interstate on my way to work and as I apex the ramp
and nail it ('cause it's fun) the motor flutters and judders like mad.
 I look and I'm just under a quarter tank - nowhere near light blinking
level.  So I keep driving, 27 miles, no problem as long as I stay in
baloon-foot mode.  I fuel it and all is well again.

I suppose the fuel level at which it goes fuel starved will keep rising,
half tank, three quarters...  Pretty soon I won't be able to leave the pump.

So what's going on here?

John
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