Engine Hydraulic Lock

AusGTV2000 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-18-2008, 03:26 PM

Hi all,

I have recently purchased a 73' 105 (2000 engine) and after recently parking it on a hill with the nose downwards, the engine filled with fuel and locked up. After the initial panic, I realised what was wrong...but how did it happen????

I have heard the diaphram of the fuel pump can get a small hole and leak, or the needle and seat of the carbys can get stuck...but it filled the sump/engine up over night???

Any ideas?

GTV-GR · #2 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 12:59 PM

first time i hear this

SurfCity Alfa · #3 (**permalink**) 03-21-2008, 07:33 AM

From a purely speculation point...

If the car were oriented so the gas tank is now above the carbs the fuel would flow to the lowest point thru the carbs into the intake manifold and into the cylinders...just like being at the hospital when they put fluid into the body, the bag hangs above the body and gravity does its thing...

Surfcity Alfa
72 Alfa

Andrew · #4 (**permalink**) 03-21-2008, 08:21 AM

Sounds like this is not a Spica car, but with them it can happen as the fuel from the tank leaks past the worn injector plungers, into the pump oil section, and from there into the oil sump. I've had it happen twice.

On a carb car, it must be basically the same idea with a worn carb needle and seat, though it's leaking into the combustion chamber through the intake, not into the mechanical section of the engine.

Andrew

**Chris1750** · #5 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 04:38 AM

It must have been a really steep hill.
Anything more than about a 1:100 grade and my handbrake would fail long before gravity had much effect on the fuel ....
Just out of interest how does it run when the engine & sump aren't full of liquid fuel? If the needle valve(s) are worn that much it might be flooding very badly. Do you have a handy fire extinguisher? Finally, I hope you've changed the engine oil.
Chris

Chsmadden · #6 (**permalink**) 03-26-2008, 07:59 PM

How did you park this car and not have it tip end over end?

I'd check to see if the fuel pump is still recieving power after the engine is turned off. Has it only done this once? If so only when it was pointed down?

AusGTV2000 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-27-2008, 09:17 PM

Thanks for the response, I think its the needle and seats in the carbies.