Hi, i'm very new to 2cv ownership so these may seem obvious but my 2cv doesnt want to start, I checked for a spark at the plug which I have, the engine turns over and tries to start but when I pulled the fuel line off the carb it was dry, I have just put a fresh 5 litres in so thats not a problem. Is the fuel pump prone to failure? I have orfered another or is there another reason, air or sediment blockage? There was a slight weep where the copper pipe under the chassis is joined to a rubber one, I tightened the clip but will replace the rubber one and stick a filter in as well. Any other ideas? The car sits on my drive which is a slight slope upwards for the engine from tank. I've got a spare leccy pump from my comp car maybe i'll stick that on, anyone know the output of the pump, dont want to overfuel.
many thanks for help, appreciated

Colin

I wouldn't bother, Colin - the mechanical pump does the job just fine. Most of the time. A new one's cheap and easy to fit, so if it is having a lie down, just replace it like-for-like.

Easy 'nuff to diagnose. Take the pipe off the carb, and get somebody to spin the engine over. You should see petrol...

The non-return valves are often the bit that has a sulk - so if the car's just been sat overnight, it'll start, but if it's been a few days, you might have to help it. A bit of petrol down the carb throat, or a good hard blow down the filler neck. The black rubber sections of the fuel piping can develop splits and cracks, causing it to suck air.

And welcome!

There is a little bit of the rubber pipe on top of the fuel tank. They often [I mean often] split. Well worth check and replacing.

Having very recently replaced the original fuel pump with a new one, my car now starts nicely every time (It was a right bugger to start from cold), so try a new one

http://www.ecas2cvparts.co.uk/fuel-pump ... -1393.html

Dont be tempted to put a leccy pump on it .....2CV's are prone to catching fire.
And at least with a mechanical pump the fuel stops pumping when the engine stops and you've got half a chance .....
With a leccy pump .....if the worst happens and you jump outa the car with ignition still switched on .....you or car are fubar'd.
And the carb is on top of a red hot exhaust manifold.

T.

They only catch fire when they are not looked after. None of mine have ever shown any inclination to spontaneously combust. [I'll check the fire extinguishers in the morning]

Check this first or just change all old rubber pipes ...

Its the one that doesn't often get checked because its in an awkward place. It will be the oldest on the car as a result. Well worth replacing it.

None of mine ever have ......and I've been driving "A" series cars since I bought my first Dyane in 1973.
But 5h1t happens sometimes ......
And so do accidents .....I guess you have'nt considered the implications of a front end collision with the ignition left on and a leccy fuel pump under the the bonnet pumping fuel out over a hot exhaust.
[That reminds me .....I must check my extinguisher too ..... ]

What they said^

just putting on a new pump won't by its self make it any better if its the perished rubber hose.

there's a good racing certainty that the majority of the rubber is the factory stuff and is both 25yrs old and not suitable for the methanol mix of petrol we have today.

get a meter of SAE j30 "multi fuel" hose off t'interweb.( 5.5 or 5.6mm id)

the cotton over braided stuff seems to be as equally useless as the factory stuff.

a replacement mech pump will be 1/3 of the cost of an electric one-and a lot less hastle.

Sean