Technical engine missing

[davidjkinnon]

My dad has got a fiat uno, he's had it about 12 months and he's made up with it. the other day i was driving it and it started missing, and almost cutting out i mentioned it to my dad and he said oh it always doas that when the fuel tank gets down to a quarter full. when he fills it up it's fine, he seems to remember someone telling him about this before he got the car.......................this can't be normal! surely.

 

[RS Pilot]

I used to have a 309 GTI that did the same. In this case, the baffles in the fuel tank were not keeping enough fuel at the take off point during cornering, allowing air into the fuel pipe.

Do you know if the gauge is accurate as you might actually be out of fuel!

 

[davidjkinnon]

feel sure the gauge is fine as he has never actually run out of petrol. the thing about the baffles sounds spot on. i take theres no easy remedy apart from always having more than a quarter tank of fuel.

 

[whatoncewas]

Fuel starvation problem. Very very common and you'll find the same with pretty much all cars. Although modern ones will just feel a bit slower/slugish than jerking around.

 

[RS Pilot]

To suggest that most cars on the road start to cut out at a 1/4 full tank is totally wrong. My 309 GTI only had this problem when it was being hammered along B roads and I've never had the same issue on any other car and I've owned plenty.

To sort this issue out I'd be looking at the filter inside the fuel tank for blockages (get access through the fuel level sensor hole). Do this when the tank is as empty as possible.

I've run Uno's on air before (well that's what the gauge would have you believe )

 

[Louie Bee]

Hi davidjkinnon,

Sorry I’m late, Welcome to the forum!

Tell us more about the Uno – perhaps here https://www.fiatforum.com/showthread.php?t=13779

Is the Uno normally driven long distances when you hit quarter full?

...this can't be normal! surely.

No this isn’t normal…

 

[whatoncewas]

Who said anything about most cars cutting out?

I said they'd run slow/slugish.