So, if you've been following the 1975 2cv thread, I've rebuilt the engine with new pistons and barrels. This is all together now and the engine spins over well on the starter.

However - it won't start! Well - it started once, and then stopped. I got some some from the exhaust, but it fire probably twice and then stopped.

I've checked, and I've got a really good spark. Freshly charged battery, and 10litres or so of fuel in the tank. However - I'm getting no fuel to the carb. if I pull the pipe from the carb between carb and pump, and turn the engine over, I get no fuel spat out.

I can see that fuel is in the pipe on the chassis, but the pump is not playing the game. This is a brand new pump, and if I turn the engine over on the handle I can see that the petrol in the poly pipe is moving so the pump appears to be attempting to pick it up.

Is this just air locks in the pipe? there seems to be bubbles moving along in the pipe. I've had a mouthful of unleaded from sucking on the carb to pump pipe, don't really want another mouthful though. Any tips on getting the pump primed? I've poured petrol down the carb to pump pipe, but that didn't seem to work.

Cheers, Ben

Same problems with the Beige Beast!
I suggest you pressurise the line, by blowing in the tank thru the filler, and make sure your carb float chambers are full of fuel. Pour some fuel into the throttle chambers and then fire her up - should start and will usually pull fuel thru the pump thereafter....SSD

sometimes the pump needs to be primed if its been sitting dry

i use a syringe and shoot some fuel down the carb to pump pipe

if its drawing bubbles up the nylon pipe have you got enough fuel in the tank? if you have suspect that there is a leak at the tank end and you are drawing air

Sean

Disconnect the fuel line on the chassis underneath the front left cylinder head. Add a little extra hose and stick it down your 5 liter spare fuel can. Remove the fuel hose on the carby, point away (forward) from the engine and turn your key. If no fuel, the pump is not working. Prime it like Sean is saying, if you get fuel, then the line from the tank to pump is sucking air.
Happy working

Thanks folks! I'll go back under the car and check the connections. Once I'm they're ok, I'll follow the other tips.

Cheers, Ben

Replace the fuel pipe that goes into the top of the petrol tank, I've had one that split and it was hard to spot but it was sucking air in and the engine conked out. If you left it for 15 mins the car would start and run for a short while and then pack in again.

Thanks all. Of course, it was always going to be the connection at the top of the tank ...

That tightened up and she fired up straight away and settled to a fast idle. Only a small amount of smoke, and then just happy sitting there. Little bit of a rude awakening after 15 years sat idle