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  #1  
Old 01-10-2009, 09:08 AM
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Mpg of 3.86 miles per us gal

As many of you should remember a few days ago my ailing Solex 4A1 on my 280S was rebuilt, after that the car runs like a kitten, idle is awesome, no hesitation, Car start at the first touch of the key, but guess what only 85 Miles per tank of city driving. I filled the tank on monday and i had to refill today in the morning to get to work. I dont know what is happening.

What can be?

Brakes are fine, clutch is fine, my car is an euro model, so it read km, 139.4 km / 22 US Gallons/1.64 (Km/US Gal.)

Regards,
Gerardo Paredes

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  #2  
Old 01-10-2009, 10:07 AM
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Unless you have a substantial leak there's no way your engine could burn that much fuel without blowing gigantic clouds of black smoke and your oil smelling heavily of gas (and being as thin as water if not more).

I'd suggest a gas cap lock ASAP.
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  #3  
Old 01-10-2009, 10:41 AM
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Just to stress what Tom Guy says check your oil! dont know if you have an electric or manual pump but a few years ago my 1980 f250 stopped running and i found 15 quarts (liters) of gas oil mix in the oil pan. turns out my diaphragm had ruptured in the fuel pump and was leaking into the oil sump.

no matter what, be careful until you find out where its going
cheers
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  #4  
Old 01-10-2009, 10:52 AM
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It is a mechanical pump
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  #5  
Old 01-10-2009, 10:57 AM
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I'd agree with others that you probably have a leak someplace...check the fuel lines from the tank to the carb and make sure the tank itself isn't leaking.

The mechanical fuel pumps are exactly the kind which can leak fuel into the crankcase, but I would suspect at the rate you are losing fuel that if it were going into the crankcase you would know it by now so I doubt it is that which is causing it.
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  #6  
Old 01-10-2009, 11:27 AM
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Just double check your oil as well just to be safe . In my case i dumped nearly 9 gallons of fuel into the sump in about 15 minutes. It was a major rupture not just a small crack. The vast majority of the fuel was actually blown out through the crankcase ventilation system and the small drain hole in the bottom of the pump once the oil was diluted down to the point where the oil level was at the same height as the crankcase vent.

cheers
barri
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  #7  
Old 01-10-2009, 11:36 AM
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I agree. If the car was running that rich you would be blowing smoke big time. Just for kicks, pull the plugs and see if they are black with carbon (running rich) , but I would put the car up on a lift and look at the tank and all the soft lines.

I had a leak in the BMW that was a pinhole in one of the soft lines. I smelled raw gas. Are you smelling gas?
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  #8  
Old 01-10-2009, 11:45 AM
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In fact i do smell gas but the exhaust gasket that join the manifold with the exhaust is leaking so i believe the smell is exhaust gas smell, not gasoline smell, but i will check i have a leak. I will check the gasoline pump also.
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  #9  
Old 01-10-2009, 02:49 PM
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And if it turns out to be fuel leaking into the oil system, don't run the engine until the leak is repaired and oil is changed. The more gas in the oil, the less lubrication and you know what that means. I would also consider using an electric pump from a w123 as a safety measure.
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  #10  
Old 01-11-2009, 09:28 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 280EZRider View Post
And if it turns out to be fuel leaking into the oil system, don't run the engine until the leak is repaired and oil is changed. The more gas in the oil, the less lubrication and you know what that means. I would also consider using an electric pump from a w123 as a safety measure.

Don't do that.

Go to the McParts store and get a low pressure aftermarket pump.

Your carbs are expecting a few PSI, W123 electric pumps for fuelies are much, much higher in the pressure band.

If you are smelling gas, it's not the exhaust....

Do a hand over hand of all your fuel lines, and don't forget the return line as well.

The original fabric covered lines do a good job of hiding cracks, I went through the gas leak issue on my 250C a few years ago, hoses looked good, until one split open and dumped gas everywhere. I'm still amazed I made it home without flaming the car.

Jim
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  #11  
Old 01-11-2009, 11:19 AM
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just a thought. are you sure your odometer is working properly?

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