I just traded a running 67 ford f-100 for a nice looking, yellow, 1980volvo 240 wagon. It had been sitting for close to a year. I got it started, it ran for an afternoon, then quit. I traced it to the main (external) fuel pump, replaced it and the filter. It has run nicely for a day and a half and now it wont start again. I did not have time this morning to open the fuel line to trace where the fuel is or is not getting to, but it sounds like no gas is getting to the engine. This time, however, I can hear the main pump working.

Can a pump getcloggedand be cleaned? Can old fuel really create this much of a problem? Should I drain the tank? What other surprises might await me on a car that has been sitting this long?

 

sorry, I posted to the wrong category.

 

I found the problem. It was the hose connecting the in tank pump to the sender unit. There was none. It was totally deteriorated. So the main pump was working on its own until the fuel got too low. I think the intank pump has been working all along based on the sound. So now I have these questions: How long can a main fuel pump suck air or fuel on its own and survive? Also how is it that cars with in tank pumps can safely get electricity to the terminals of the pump? I suppose that while the terminals are submerged in fuel, its no big deal, but when the terminals are exposed to vapor...yikes! there must be some safety design that I'm not seeing.