Coughing and dying in hills

[Cracker]

This is what lead me to the fuel filter search.

The problem first became obvious on flat ground. At around 40 mph, near shifting (not a smooth shifter anyway), the car had a fuel delivery issue. It began coughing heavily, but I managed to keep it running. This happened twice.

Later while climbing a hill at a slow speed, the car coughed itself to death. After crossing my fingers, the car started and I was on my way.

6 miles or so down the road this happened on another hill. The exception was the car didn't start. :nonod I coasted to the top of the hill and on down the other side. My first thoughts were to park facing down hill to help fuel delivery. This was a bad assumption. I was able to see air rushing into the glass fuel filter jar that is in the engine compartment. After pushing and getting the car to face uphill, I was able to get gass into the carb., and with crossing my fingers and a little praying, I got the car home.

Does anyone have any ideas as to why/how the air is backtracking into the fuel system? I assume it is coming from the carb., not the gas tank. I haven't looked at the gas tank, it isn't loosing gas, but is there a rubber hose at the top of the tank that could be cracked?

Any suggestions/comments would be appreciated. :thumbsup

 

[nomadbird]

This sounds like the classic symptoms of a collapsed flex fuel line. Modern fuels have a nasty habit of dissolving old fashioned rubber parts. The only rubber part between the gas tank and the carburetor is the rubber flex line that runs from the hard line on the left frame rail to the fuel pump. Replace it. It's a simple job if you don't have power steering to get in the way. The rubber line you're talking about at the gas tank; that is simply an overflow return line. It has no bearing on fuel delivery. Another item: make sure the car has a vented fuel cap.

Tom D.

 

[Cracker]

Thanks again. It does have power steering but now I have a better idea of where to look. You've been a big help.