walboro @ 1/4 tank gas - SRT Forums

alphaoneoak · 05-30-2008, 11:51 AM

So i've had this issue since i put in a used walboro pump. I was told apparently that we're not supposed to let the fuel get under 1/4 tank or else experience which I find annoying and have the car sputter and go real lean when past 3K rpms....

I just wanted to check to see if this was true because Im thinking of just getting a brand new pump if it isnt.

THanks.

MonsterLemon · 05-30-2008, 11:55 AM

been that way in my car since I had the pump installed I was kinda wondering if it was a bad pump too until others said it was normal. i just dont see how a direct swap pump that hooks up directly the same can cause lean stumbles when the stock one didn't. Turbocruiser said something to the effect of it emptying the canister faster and when you at 1/4 tank the pickup has trouble refilling it. So you dont see the continuous flow like a stock pump.

**lilmike0450** · 05-30-2008, 12:37 PM

Mine does this also....kinda sucks when you go to the track..

pphilps · 05-30-2008, 03:34 PM

I am hoping that if I put my return line to go back into the canister.... then I won't have the problem nearly as much!

MonsterLemon · 05-30-2008, 03:36 PM

What about overfilling the canister on a full tank? someone mentioned that to me aswell..

siberian57 · 05-30-2008, 04:07 PM

I think I might have just run into this issue myself and my pump might be gone as I am experiencing the lean symptoms. A buddy told me something to the extent of the fuel keeps the pump cool and since the 255 pump works harder and draws more, it runs hotter and can fail if taken below 1/4 many times and that the directions say not to take it below 1/4. I don't know myself if that's true, but he said when he worked at GM that was a common problem with their pumps because they ran hot and is what probably happened to me. Like I said Idk if it's true but it's what I was told. I'm hopefully addressing my pump issue soon if that's what it is.

**sp33d** · 05-31-2008, 09:01 AM

ok i had this problem...
it should not happen. i think ppl say that because they cant figure out whats wrong and just accept it.

read this..
Car leans out with 1/4 tank of gas??? WTF??
it happend to me and then figured out the problem. may or may not be a fix... but worth a try.

GL

HCCAFan · 05-31-2008, 09:09 AM

I thought it turned out to be that people weren't getting the pump canister back in there level. I can go below 1/4 just fine. Haven't pushed it to see what would happen if I floored it with the fuel light on or anything.

turbojack · 05-31-2008, 09:11 AM

One of the issues could be whether or not a bottle neck fix was done and a return line.

The pump sits in a housing that holds fuel = the canister. Its designed so that fuel surrounds the pump to help insure that is stays cool, hard for people to get used to the idea that fuel is being used as coolant for the pump. With the stock setup and a non defeated regulator, excess fuel is returned back into the canister housing the fuel pump. Some return setups defeat this and excess fuel is returned to the tank but not the canister. It COULD be that the pump has been over heated when low and a return line was used and now its weak where at first the pump was fine. It COULD also be that the pump is starving for fuel.

Another thing is not making sure that the FP canister is clocked properly after fuel pump servicing. Theres a notch in the tank and a tab on the mating surface to the tank of the canister. The tab of the FP canister must be lined up with the notch of the tank and given that the tank and the canister are plastic and not very thick its very easy and very possible to insert the FP canister and then tighten the ring without the tab and the notch properly lined up. So now what happens is the fuel gauge is not giving a proper reading.

alphaoneoak · 05-31-2008, 10:27 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by sp33d

ok i had this problem...
it should not happen. i think ppl say that because they cant figure out whats wrong and just accept it.

read this..
Car leans out with 1/4 tank of gas??? WTF??
it happend to me and then figured out the problem. may or may not be a fix... but worth a try.

GL

Thanks for the link, i've done searches but have not run into this thread. I agree, I find it kind of odd that it is supposed to be that way. If anything I would think this would be a flaw in walboro's design.

But yea, I remember I had to sock on properly, and I did check the oring and was seated fine there. Ill have to find some time and try and pull it out again.

Tex · 05-31-2008, 10:28 AM

i never had that problem with my walbro pump. something isnt right guys

alphaoneoak · 05-31-2008, 10:33 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Tex

i never had that problem with my walbro pump. something isnt right guys

Thanks for chiming in, after a few telling me this is normal, I was just about to accept it. I think ill just go pick up a new Walbro.

1badsrt-4 · 05-31-2008, 10:40 AM

I have never had a problem with this either. I run my car at the track with about an 1/8 of a tank. I never have a lean or stumble condition

turbo666 · 05-31-2008, 10:55 AM

I've always had this problems with 1/4 tank or less. On my 60trim and now my 50trim. I don't consider it to be an inconvenience. I have DCR Walbro (also happened with regular Walbro), returnline, and bottle neck mod.

**sp33d** · 05-31-2008, 10:07 PM

everyone needs to realize that this is NOT normal. there is a flaw in the installation when this happens. if you look at the factory pump, it is also a walbro... why would they design a pump that is a direct replacement that has this problem.