Hydraulic Seizing?

[mudsam]

I have an manual 89 Vitara 1.6L that keeps seizing. When I take the spark plugs out and turn the engine over, heaps of fuel spurts out. I put them back in and everything works fine for a few days and then it Hydraulic Seizes again.

To try and solve the problem, I've had the carby rebuilt, replaced the fuel filter and the manual fuel pump. Non of this has solved the issue! Does anyone have an idea of what may be causing it?

[fordem]

Define "seizing".

What you're describing might be hydraulic lock or hydrolock - a situation in which you get enough liquid into a cylinder that when it comes up on the compression stroke, there is too much fluid to fit in the combustion chamber and the engine no longer turns.

Also - what do you mean by a manual fuel pump? Are you referring to the mechanical fuel pump on the back of the cylinder head?

It might be a good idea to tell us a little more about the vehicle, including where you're located and if you know it, what market the vehicle was built for.

I would think that it would take quite a bit of fuel (a rough calculation using a 1590 cc, 4 cylinder engine with a 10:1 compression ration gives 40 cc) to hydrolock a gasolene engine and to be able to get that much fuel from a carburettor would seem unlikely, unless you're perhaps repeatedly cranking an engine that won't fire.

Are you sure it's fuel that's spurting out?

Under normal circumstances, the only way to get fuel into the chambers is through the intake, to get that much raw or liquid fuel into the engine would need a situation where the carburettor needle valve is not closing properly, allowing fuel to flow when it should not, possibly even after the engine has been switched off.

With a mechanical fuel pump, once the engine stops turning, it stops pumping fuel. If I were to assume an intank electric pump, which is what I believe most Vitaras have, once the ignition is switched off, the pump shuts off - both situations limit the amount of fuel that can flow into the engine once it has been stopped.

Is the vehicle parked nose down on a slope by any chance - so that the fuel tank is higher than the engine?

[mudsam]

Sorry, I'm obviously not a mechanic so the terminology I use may not be correct. It's definately Hydrolocking and I can confirm it's fuel in cylinder and a lot in the sump as well.

Yes, I meant a mechanical fuel pump. The car was built for the Australia market and it's now located in Queensland.

Most times the car is parked noise up hill but other times flat. I have noticed the hydrolock seems to happen more often if it sits for long periods. If it's not completely seized it can take a while to start, turns over a for a about a minute or so before eventually starting.

Please let me know if you need any more info.

[aquanaut20]

Check the tank venting system, It may be building up tank pressure and forcing fuel forward.. Philip

[mudsam]

How do I check the tank pressure? Is there a special tool required for that?

[aquanaut20]

Loosen the gas cap when you park, if this eliminates the issue, time to investigate where it isnt venting... Philip

[mudsam]

Originally Posted by aquanaut20

Loosen the gas cap when you park, if this eliminates the issue, time to investigate where it isnt venting... Philip

Yes, I had already removed the cap and discovered that there was a big pressure release. I now have a loose fitting plastic cap on it.

Where do I start investigating the venting problem?

[xxx]

Originally Posted by mudsam

I have an manual 89 Vitara 1.6L that keeps seizing.
you mean STALLING.
When I take the spark plugs out and turn the engine over, heaps of fuel spurts out.
this is called, gross flooding and also Hydralock , that can easily bend the rod
over 55cc of fuel , present. bad, stop fix it.

I put them back in and everything works fine for a few days and then it Hydraulic Seizes again.

To try and solve the problem, I've had the carby rebuilt, replaced the fuel filter and the manual fuel pump. Non of this has solved the issue! Does anyone have an idea of what may be causing it?

its carb, and carbs LOVE to do that rick!!! (ive seen it 100s of times)

and is cause by only 2 things,

1: insane fuel pressure. (use a meter and set it to spec) (over powers float)
2: bad float valve ( that means also a pin hold float or PO cant set level right)
3: total failure of the EVAP system, (tank pressure) on ours old kicks it the tank vents to charcoal tank, then that tank vents to air cleaner, and is free to vent there, full time.
not sure on VITS. but id bet it's the same. you have a pinched vent line. easy to test. blow them. (i can look it up in the EPC easy later)

[mudsam]

Originally Posted by xxx

its carb, and carbs LOVE to do that rick!!! (ive seen it 100s of times)

and is cause by only 2 things,

1: insane fuel pressure. (use a meter and set it to spec) (over powers float)
2: bad float valve ( that means also a pin hold float or PO cant set level right)
3: total failure of the EVAP system, (tank pressure) on ours old kicks it the tank vents to charcoal tank, then that tank vents to air cleaner, and is free to vent there, full time.
not sure on VITS. but id bet it's the same. you have a pinched vent line. easy to test. blow them. (i can look it up in the EPC easy later)

Thanks XXX but what is EPC?

[xxx]

sorry
the Suzuki Electronic Parts Catalog (database)

(many kinds of parts cats, there are, paper, pdf, database, online) etc.