Hi All,

We recently added another '68 122S coupe to the family but it has 1 little problem; It refuses to start when parked on an incline/hill, with the nose of the car pointed up. It will crank but not fire. And after it's been parked like that, we have had to push start it a couple of times. I'm thinking weak fuel pump (it is the original style). Do you have any ideas?

It's a B18 with dual carbs, fresh fuel filter & runs excellent otherwise.

Thanks!
--
'Drive it like you Hate it!'

I often park on a steep hill, and I've had the same problem in the past. After repeatedly cursing the carbs and scratching my head, I realized two days ago that it's because I never keep my tank full. I suspect that, because the fuel pickup is in the front of the tank, with <1/4 tank of gas, there's not enough fuel to reach the inlet.

Without changing anything, I rolled the car to a level spot, and it started right up. Then I filled the tank (half full was enough), parked it back on the hill, and it started fine.

Not sure if this is your problem, but it worked for me.
--
Jerry | www.65brick.blogspot.com |

I should note that I realized this while I was trying to tune my carbs, and thus burned all the gas in the float bowls while the car was still inclined. Under regular conditions, the car starts, but starts to putter out/lose power (as gas from the float bowls runs out, I suspect).

--
Jerry | www.65brick.blogspot.com |

It's likely that the pump diaphragm has become stretched and wrinkled. If it's a pump that can be serviced, you can get kits to replace all the inner parts. If you leave the hoses attached and unbolt the pump from the block you can manually use the lever to work it. It may seem fine but the movement you do by hand will be much more than that made by the cam. The cam movement won't quite give enough push to the diaphragm to suck the fuel uphill. If you leave it, it will probably stall out if you get stuck in traffic going up a hill and you have to sit there idling. I think you can tell I've had this problem. I just fitted a new pump, it wasn't a Volvo.
Swap the pump over from your other Amazon to confirm that it's the pump. Check the "bad" one on the other car too if you like.
Some "pattern" pumps give more pressure than you need and cause carb problems so choose carefully.

Park facing downhill. Start problems: let it roll a ways, put in 2nd gear
and pop the clutch. (Be sure the ignition switch is ON.)

You may have a pinhole leak in the line from the fuel tank to the pump or
the hose from the metal line to the pump may not be tight enough. This allows
the pump to pump air instead of gasoline.
Also your float bowls must be emptying somehow - they should hold enough gas for
you to start and drive a block or two. A seep from the line between the bowl
and the jet is a likely suspect. (Especially if there are stains around on the
heat shield and an "old gas" smell.)
--
George Downs, Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

I'd suspect the same thing.

Get a gauge and measure the fuel pressure. I prefer to check the pressure while the car is running so I install a "tee" fitting.

Should be around 2 psi or so.
--
Tom - '60 544, '68 220S, '70 145S, '86 745T, '06 Mazda MPV