Fuel pump problem

[Bellarine]

Hi all. I'm having a really frustrating problem with my VR Commodore wagon and was looking for some advice.

Whenever the fuel tank is quarter full or less and car is parked on a slight downward slope it refuses to start. Have had this happen to me 3 times in the last month and the RACV are starting to know me by name. Every time they give me 5 litres of fuel and then pull me out onto the flat the car starts.

Have been told by them it is a common problem with commodores. Have had the fuel pump replaced a year ago with same problem but in the last month it has started happening again.

Any ideas on what it could be or is this something I just have to live with?

[VrWagz1]

Easy solution is stop parking in heavily camberd gutters or it will keep happening. The fuel pump is on the drivers side so if you park it on a slop its gonna starve it. Other option is park the opposite way(drivers side to the gutter) but that will prob be illegal. You dont need to call racv just get your little jack out of the boot and jack up the passenger side till the car is level and start her up. If your quick enough you can dump it down toss the jack to one side and get it out on the flat.

[hako]

I remember reading of this problem quite a few times on this forum - it was something to do with the swirl pot in the tank and the fuel return lines which fill the swirl pot and not uncommon with wagons and utes particularly. Try a search.

[Brett_jjj]

It has to be the pickup in the tank.It should not be doing this,Especally if the pump etc is not that old.I would be getting someone to check the pickup in the tank,and not the same people you went to last time.Go somewhere different.Ive never really heard of anyone with a problem like this,I dont think its too common( im not to sure with it being a wagon,never had much to do with wagon fuel tanks)but you could just make sure you keep the tank half full,or like I said, get the sender/pump pickup in the tank checked.

[Brett_jjj]

I just read the other posts,and there you go,it is a fairly common problem.

[VrWagz1]

I remember reading of this problem quite a few times on this forum - it was something to do with the swirl pot in the tank and the fuel return lines which fill the swirl pot and not uncommon with wagons and utes particularly. Try a search.

What your thinking of (if im thinking of the same thing too) is stalling when driving around corners ect.. this is straight out parking in a steep gutter with low fuel and leaving the pump high and dry on the drivers side

[hako]

What your thinking of (if im thinking of the same thing too) is stalling when driving around corners ect.. this is straight out parking in a steep gutter with low fuel and leaving the pump high and dry on the drivers side

You are correct - however parking in a steep gutter will have the same effect as going round a corner - the fuel is forced to one side of the tank leaving the swirl pot empty. I think from memory the problem was more prevalent doing right hand turns which would make the pump high and dry on the drivers side.