No fuel to carburetor

Tiny
DADOIRON
  • MEMBER
  • 1979 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 84,000 MILES
Car has fuel, fuel pump running and pumping fuel to carburetor, hose and fuel filter clear. Was running fine just stopped on a short drive and hasn't fired since (approximately one month ago). Was a fuel injection previous owner changed to carburetor? (Pump the gas pedal and it would start). There is no mechanic local experienced with this car engine. Any ideas as what to look into next?
Sunday, August 25th, 2019 AT 10:28 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

I need to confirm something. The heading says no fuel to carburetor, but the first few lines of the post says there is fuel running to the carburetor. Please confirm for me.

Next, I will need to know if this has a mechanical fuel pump. It will be located to the right of the distributor. One last question, is there any ticking or knocking when cranking the engine? If it has a mechanical fuel pump, it is actuated by a push rod which rides on the cam.

Next, if it is getting fuel, have you checked to see if there is spark to the plugs?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

Will the engine start for a couple seconds if you use starting fluid?

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, August 26th, 2019 AT 6:50 PM
Tiny
DADOIRON
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I apologize for being confusing. I have spoken to my friend who has been looking into the problem and he advised me that the Fuel Pump is an Electric Fuel Pump, there is no clicking or knocking when cranking the engine, the car ran for a few seconds when gas was poured directly into the carburetor. But only once and has not fired again. He will be looking into spark/fire to the plugs next. This a 79 VW Beetle Kharman Convertible, unfortunately I do not know the number of engine cylinders or liter(?) Not much original paperwork was included. Thank you for your patience and looking forward to any additional insight you could provide.
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Tuesday, August 27th, 2019 AT 10:54 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Welcome back:

Honestly, I'm glad it has an electric pump. If there was a problem with a mechanical one, it could lead to camshaft issues.

If it starts when you put gas in the carb, then it's not getting fuel. Can you hear the pump running?

Joe
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Tuesday, August 27th, 2019 AT 7:24 PM
Tiny
DADOIRON
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yes we can hear the pump running and when un clamp fuel line at carburetor has gas flowing through. Will be checking into fire to the plugs next. As with all things life has interrupted this project but hopefully soon we will be back on it, will keep you posted as to the results. Thank you for your time and this service.
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Thursday, August 29th, 2019 AT 6:54 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
You are very welcome. Let me know what you find. Also, if you find it does have spark and the pump is working, then the needle and seat in the carburetor may be stuck shut preventing fuel from entering the carburetor.

I have to be honest, since it started when you put fuel in the carburetor, that tells me it is getting spark, so I suspect it isn't getting fuel.

Let me know if I can help or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Thursday, August 29th, 2019 AT 6:59 PM

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