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Sometimes dies while climbing.
Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 5:15 pm
by Twin Pinzies
One of my 710M's has a habit of sputtering out (feels like it's running out of gas) on climbs. It will start back up and run fine after letting it sit for 5 minutes or it will start right back up and run fine if you point it back downhill. I have replaced the fuel pump, both fuel filters, the air filter, all of the fuel lines, tightened/cleaned the carbs, replaced the entire ignition system, and it still will do this about every fifth time out. After it dies and you try to start it right up without letting it sit for 5 minutes, it will run rough like it has REAL bad gas or something! Once it points downhill, it will run like a champ again! Any guesses from you guys?
Thanks in advance!
Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 9:12 pm
by rollingpinz
Hello
Is it possible that there is something in your gas tank such that it blocks the pick up. The five minutes may be the amount of time needed to equalize the pressure for it to drop free and pointing down hill might make it move away from the pick-up. This is just a guess because I am not sure where the pick-up is located. I had a similar problem with a truck and found a plastic filler-spout and other brick-a-brack in the tank.
Eric P
Let me second that...
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 2:31 pm
by 75pinz
I had a decal in my tank and that is exactly what was happening. Pretty irritating.
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 3:16 pm
by Twin Pinzies
Thanks you guys. I have not yet drained my gas tank and can only imagine what might be in there. I'll report back on what I find.
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:02 pm
by Jim LaGuardia
Just pull the sending unit out and use a flashlight to see the bottom of the tank. Takes 15 min to do

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 6:56 pm
by Twin Pinzies
Hey guys,
I just pulled the drain plug on the gas tank and low and behold... out comes multiple pages of German language paperwork... IN the tank! I hope that solves the mysterious "stalling while climbing" problem. I suggest that everyone check their tanks!!
Sounded exactly like mine
Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 8:00 pm
by 75pinz
I guess it was. Mine was a decal and it wasn't very big. I spent a lot of time messing with mine before I figured that out. I was getting ready to rebuild the fuel pump and decided to look but I had to take my ambulance box off first. Glad you got yours fixed.
Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 9:26 pm
by Jim LaGuardia
Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 11:00 pm
by Twin Pinzies
Very funny Jim. The larger issue here is this: WHY IS PAPER WORK SHOWING UP IN OUR GAS TANKS??!! Is this some kind of sabotage? If so, by whom? Why? Or is this merely an oversight by the manufacturer? "Ooops, we stuck all the shipping receipts IN the tanks before we assembled the trucks!"
And how come my truck still ran at all with all that crap in the tank?!!
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 11:04 pm
by Twin Pinzies
O.K. now I'm pissed! The day after I found paper and other debris in the gas tank and thought that I had FINALLY solved my mysterious dying problem, it died again! Once again, I was going uphill and it suddenly sputtered out as if it was running out of gas. Even after letting it sit for hours, it would not fire up until I pointed it downhill and pop-started it (third try). Then it ran fine back downhill and around town. What frustrates me is the fact that I have; cleaned the carbs and choke, rebuilt the fuel pump, replaced the entire ignition system, replaced the air and fuel filters, and replaced all the fuel lines.
Does anyone have any clues? God I hope so!
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 11:57 pm
by Jim LaGuardia
There is probably still debris floating around , At this point I would pull the tank and inspect the tank and fuel pick-up tube for cracks, corrosion or chaffing. I would also make sure there are no leaks on the suction hose itself(loose clamps, or lack of).
The tank comes out pretty easy once you pull the boot up and release the fill tube clamp.
I find silicone lube to help in removal and installation of the boot, as well as a hooked hose removal tool.
Of course you could install a fuel return line while you are there for future EFI installation

Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 6:11 pm
by Erik712m
Use A lighter or a match once the tank is pulled, after the flames are gone I doubt there will be any paper left.
