Car stalls on an incline?

aussie260z Commited Dubber

61 posts · joined Apr 2011 · 12 Sep 2013, 10:35 pm

#969747

Wondering if anyone had some insight to share as to why my Beetle likes to stall once it gets onto an incline (sloping the car backwards, i.e. front wheels higher than the back).

I am running an electric fuel pump and dual 34 ICT's.

Runs and drives great, no flat spots and idles perfectly........as long as I am not on an incline.

If, I incline the car the other way, i.e. rear wheels above the front, car has no issues.

Anyone ever had this issue? If so, what did you do to rectify?

Thinking lifter pump and a swirl pot.

waveman1500 Also rides a Honda

1,346 posts · joined Dec 2009 · 12 Sep 2013, 11:29 pm

#969752

That doesn't make any sense, as the fuel tank is at the front. If it was ever having trouble feeding from the tank, it should happen when pointing nose-down.

Where is your pump located and how do the hoses run?
Is it possible that the float levels are set wrong and the actual carbs are cutting off the fuel when you go up a hill? Are they mounted the wrong way on the manifolds or something?

A lifter pump and swirl pot is overkill even on a high-powered EFI system, for a carbed Beetle they're completely unnecessary. In a Beetle you don't need a swirl pot anyway, because the tank is up so high that you can mount the fuel pump under the tank with perfect gravity feed.

1972 VW S-Bug - For Sale!
1968-onwards Beetle panels and glass for sale

vlad01 Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,270 posts · joined Jun 2010 · 13 Sep 2013, 10:11 am

#969771

^ it depends on where the tank outlet is. At what fuel level does this happen?

71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 13 Sep 2013, 10:53 am

#969774

waveman1500 wrote:A lifter pump and swirl pot is overkill even on a high-powered EFI system

Sweet, I can return mine for a refund.
Extra beer money tonight 👍

vlad01 Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,270 posts · joined Jun 2010 · 13 Sep 2013, 12:18 pm

#969779

lol.

i know what its like without a working swirl pot on efi, can't even turn corners without engine cutting out.

71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 13 Sep 2013, 12:35 pm

#969782

float level is my guess

Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

aussie260z Commited Dubber

61 posts · joined Apr 2011 · 13 Sep 2013, 12:56 pm

#969787

Electric fuel pump is located in sequence (after a fuel filter) underneath the fuel tank. From the pump (3-4 PSI) I am running 5/16" dual lines hrough the cabin splitting at the rear to feed each Carb individually.

I sync'd the carbs and adjusted the idle two days ago and now the car runs great - but when it hits an incline of 30deg (possibly less) the idle starts to get shaky. At no other time is there an issue.

Feels like there is no float at all in the carby and it cannot get enough fuel through the line to keep the engine alive.

BUT..........why would this happen when the car is just on an incline (front wheels up) and not happen, as you say, when the car is pointed in the other direction (front wheels down), gravity should be assisting me here?

How do I adjust the float :-)???b]

On a midly related topic..............

I have had a bastard of a time getting my carbs to return to a rest position once the throttle is engaged. I have checked, detached, reatched, changed angle etc of the Linkages and throttle cable with no joy - I ended up installing quite a heavy spring to get the Carby's to return to rest - this worked a treat, but now I have quite a heavy throttle pedal.

I am using a top hex bar setup.

Have people used this setup with similar issues? If so, have you have success in changing the mounting points for the return springs to allow for a freerer movement of the throttle linkage so it can more easily return to rest with a lighter spring???