The gas line from the fuel tank to the fuel pump was replaced last week. The car starts fine and runs ok until I floor it. When it gets up to 60 or so, it cuts out, after about 3 seconds it kicks back in and then cuts out again. The new fuel line is the same size as the old fuel line. What do I check next? Could something in the carburetor be hanging up? Wish I knew more about how to troubleshoot this stuff.....

Thanks,

Tom

 

Fuel filter?

 

Can we assume this problem did not exist before you changed the line? Why did you replace the line in the first place? Was it leaking or did you think it was restricted? The pick up in the tank has a "sock" on it to prevent trash in the tank from getting to the fuel pump and carb. Over time, it get restricted and could cause the engine to shut off, or run out of fuel. Under normal driving, it probably provides enough fuel and you only notice a problem under full throttle. The fix is to replace the sock (filter).

 

No problems until the fuel line was replaced. It was replaced becuase the mechanic replacing the body mounts cut the old fuel line while replacing the body mounts. He installed one long fuel line to replace the old one, which he said was in multiple sections. Is it supposed to be in several sections? Is it possible that the long line is collapsing when under acceleration? I have a glass inline fuel filter between the fuel pump and the carburetor and it looks clear.....

 

Can you ease up to speed? If it always cuts out at 60, regardless of whether you buried it or not, I don't think it's the pump or the line. Cutting out at 60 or so with a highway gear is a sign of secondary fuel circuit problems in the quadrajet.

Shade Tree Mechanic Test #1: Ease up to speed and see if it cuts out again.
Shade Tree Test #2: Disconnect fuel line, connect rubber hose to pump. Insert into Red Plastic Fuel Can. Sit it on passenger floorboard, preferably with friend and fire extinguisher. Try running like that. Should narrow your problem down.

 

Did he install a metal or rubber line? It should be metal. If it's rubber, there may be a bend or constriction somewhere that is limiting fuel flow. If not, you might check the filter at the carb inlet.

 

He replaced rubber with rubber....

 

I had the same problem there were no clamps on the lines and it was sucking air.It cut out at a higher speed cause it was useing fuel faster than it could replace it.When you stop at a light it fills the bowl up and then you're good for awhile.
railguy

 

You're kidding.

That's just cheezy.

The fuel line must be metal, to provide long service and guard against "unfortunate occurrences."

Did he tell you that the line was temporary, just to get you home?
If not, then I'd question the rest of his work.

I will admit that I've run rubber hose stem-to-stern when the steel lines rusted out, back when I was a kid, and drove cross-country that way, but you're an adult, and that's not kosher.

- Eric

 

You said that he replaced "rubber with rubber", but you also said that the line was originally in multiple sections. That does not sound right at all. What was holding all of those sections together?

It sounds as if when you are gunning the gas, the fuel line is vacuuming shut. I'm with everyone else on this one. Replace the line with metal (as it should be).

 

Thanks to all. I learn alot from this forum. The line on the car was rubber - mechanic said most of it looked orignal. I'm going to have them replace the line with steel. I'm too old to die in a car fire!

Thanks again!

 

There is no American car made after, probably, the 19-teens or -twenties that had a rubber fuel line along the body as original.

This just makes me want to repeat my earlier comment about suspecting the mechanic's competence.

- Eric

 

I put a new fuel line in mine and it came in two pieces for shipping I guess it had to be put together in the middle with a rubber line. Maybe thats were he cut it.?
railguy

 

TDS: sorry to be so happy about your problem BUT it happens to me also. Today gave it a 3/4 punch to merge into traffic on interstate....great speed and then @ 65 cough cough. I let off gas and half depress pedal and she runs fine. I have replaced fuel filter, pump and complete line replacement (metal). I have carb at specs and dist cap, wires and plugs @ 3000 miles ago.
Travel 190 miles just a month ago it ran fantastic and all of a sudden cough cough. Its worrisome especially on interstate. When it did it a month ago I pulled filter...clean no varnish no sand rust debris...just clean. I am beginning to think pick up sock.......are they available on 64 88?
Good luck and keep us updated

 

Im having the same problem with my 64 super 88 with the 394, ive replaced all the lines metal and rubber, dropped the tank, and the sock was split in half, so i replaced that, found a couple on ebay, they were not cheap socks. It has this issue, worse going up hill. My fuel pump is rebuilt, im wondering if the pump is sending the fuel back into the return line, instead of going to carburetor, my next step is to by pass mechanical pump and use electric, and see if the issue goes away.

 

Contact Inline Tube or The Right Stuff Detailing, they have new fuel lines in steel or stainless steel

 

This is the worse thing ever made, one bang and its squirting gas all over a hot engine and you won't know a thing until its too late.
I was lucky enough to find a 79 Corvette that had an under hood fire from one of these glass filters, I bought it from the insurance company and made $5000 profit from it so I do like them................... when other people use them!

 

If the problem did not exist before replacing the fuel line hose with a new one then you know what the problem is, the new hose. I have seen this too many times on rust buckets in salty road areas with fuel lines replaced with rubber hose from tank to front. The rubber hose is not meant for being run for that long of a distance. A few feet at most is the longest rubber hoses should be, for me even that is too long. Slight kinks occur in long distances and if you use the last section of hose on the reel there is a flattened shape, not a nice clean round one. Replace the lines with the proper 3/8 line to the pump, and 5/16 for the return (on some vehicles) and keep rubber lengths to a minimum. There is a reason why GM ran metal lines even the short distance from bottom of engine to top, to prevent this problem from occurring. Tried sucking soda through a straw with the straw pinched? Same thing happening here. Bet you would see the filter empty just before the car cuts out then refill when the pump gets more fuel...Get some metal line and be fixed the right way.

 

Thanks to all for your comments and suggestions. Replaced the fuel line with a steel one, and wala, the car is running great again!

Tom

 

Congrats! I'm glad that it worked out for you.