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Jteerlink Samba Member
Joined: February 18, 2007 Posts: 167
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Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 10:31 am Post subject: Another Reason to Seek a Syncro!? |
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I drive a 87' Wolfs Westy, while out camping at the Little Sahara sand dunes in central Utah I was tooling around the campground looking for a level-ish site. While idling on a hill (van was perpendicular to the slope, with driver side lower than passenger side) which I would guess to be 25%-35% slope, the engine began to sputter and die upon acceleration. After a couple attempts to restart I realized it just wasn't getting gas. Only after coasting to the bottom of the hill did it promptly restart.
I've seen my 4x4 brethren crawl all over hills just as steep without losing gas supply to the engine. SO...I am wondering do any of you know if all non-Syncro gas pickup points have a dead spot in the tank? Is there a remedy or should I just avoid crossing steep hills and have yet ANOTHER reason to seek a Syncro!? |
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syncrodoka Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005 Posts: 11998 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 11:04 am Post subject: |
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The gas tank output on a syncro is on the bottom and it has a dropped section to help avoid fuel starvation. The 2wd gas tanks have the output on the rear corner on the passenger side so it is possible to get a fuel starvation problem if you are parked at a steep angle and have a low gas tank.
It is best to climb a hill parallel to the slope to avoid any problems with slipping or even rolling over
Last edited by syncrodoka on Sun Apr 11, 2010 11:05 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Dogpilot Samba Member
Joined: October 03, 2005 Posts: 4205 Location: Flagstaff, AZ
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Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 11:04 am Post subject: |
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That is kind of a shallow slope to see that effect on fuel supply. I have heard of the 2WD tanks having pick-up tubes with issues discussed here. The Syncro has a different tank set up, which you obviously know. I have not leaned mine over too far. I am slightly paranoid on its semi high CG. This is exacerbated on the Syncro, by being slightly higher with bigger tires (on average). So I'm not sure your engine will die from fuel issues from the feed or it lying on its side. Then again, when I go off the road for any distance I usually will top my tank off just before and/or fill from my reserve fuel container (the Kolpin fuel pack).
I'm sure some of our more aggressive Syncro owners here will pipe in if they ever had a fuel supply issue. _________________ Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G |
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Jon_slider Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2007 Posts: 5091 Location: Santa Cruz, Crowdifornia
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Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 11:42 am Post subject: |
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Im one of the least aggressive syncro drivers, and I have had my Van engine die from fuel starvation.
It happened at SDM last year, coming down from the top. I was basically stopped pointed downhill at less than 15% grade, (I have sycnrollometers ), clutch disengaged, inching forward to drop my front wheels down a ledge.. iirc I was at less than 20% incline when I dropped the wheels into the hole, at which point the motor died. I had about half a tank of fuel, not that low..
After coasting down to a flat spot, using the brakes, it was easy enough to restart the engine with the ignition circuit. (I did not use engine compression to slow my descent, as I did not want the Van to lurch forward when it came back to life)
The van had a new fuel tank, new fuel sender, new fuel filter and new fuel pump..
When I got back to base I asked Syncrozilla about it, and he confirmed it IS possible to stall a Syncro by fuel starvation when front of van is lower than back.. I suppose not many people experience this, since stopping on a 20% downslope is not typical use, and another driver might have stayed in gear, which would have restarted the van at some point.. possibly leaving them unaware that there was a fuel starved moment on the way down.. |
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presslab Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2008 Posts: 1730 Location: Sonoma County
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Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 11:59 am Post subject: |
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Does your tank have any dents? My original one was slightly dented but it was a big problem. Even around flat turns it would suck air.
I cut apart my old tank (heh) and looked inside. The pickup and return is in the middle of the tank where the round depression is. It has baffles all around. In my case the slight dent had popped one of the baffles up therefore making a huge hole in the little sump. _________________ 1986 Vanagon Westfalia EJ25
1988 Subaru GL-10 EJ20G --- 2000 Honda XR650L
2010 Titus El Guapo --- 2011 On-One 456 Ti |
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syncrodoka Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005 Posts: 11998 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 12:52 pm Post subject: |
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Quote: |
The pickup and return is in the middle of the tank where the round depression is |
That makes perfect sense. I have never looked inside of a 2wd tank, I just know where the hookup is on my 2wd. |
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sc-surfer Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2005 Posts: 865 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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Jteerlink Samba Member
Joined: February 18, 2007 Posts: 167
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Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 3:27 pm Post subject: |
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I ll have to check the bottom of the tank to see if there is a dent, but if the output in on the passenger side/rear or the tank, then looks like I just have to modify my driving technique.
Thanks, all |
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tencentlife Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2006 Posts: 10067 Location: Abiquiu, NM, USA
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Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 7:35 pm Post subject: |
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Where the pipe exits the tank is irrelevant, the output is picked up from the center regardless. If it was dented enough to lift the baffles less fuel may have been held in the center pan during a maneuver, but it's still picking up from the center. _________________ Shop for unique Vanagon accessories at the Vanistan shop:
https://intrepidoverland.com/vanistan/
Please don't PM here, I will not reply.
Experience is kryptonite to doctrine. |
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