I would like to have your opinion about a design feature on Felicia with carburettor and mechanical pump.

See photo below:

On one occasion I was left without any gas in the tank. So I put some 2 gallons I had in a canister in my trunk. Needless to say, starting the engine was a little hard, since there was air in fuel lines.

From that point on, I saw that a pocket of air got trapped inside fuel filter due to high mounting position inside the engine bay. Half of the fuel filter stays almost dry and it is a lot of bubbling inside it.

So my question is: do you consider the fuel filter mounting position a design flaw ? Or am I missing something ?

Edited 14 April, 201214 yr by masster

I think there would be air in any filter that was mounted horizonally like that, regardless of its location relative to the tank, etc. You see it a lot, it never seems to be an issue (although I've never seen it with a diesel)

I will try mounting the filter vertically to see if that makes a difference, meaning the pump will suck that air pocket..

But I'm afraid the problem is that fuel filter has the highest position with respect to tank and pump.

Edited 15 April, 201214 yr by masster

I don't think that makes any difference at all. Once it's got fuel in it, it's got fuel in it. The position relative to the tank and pump won't change that, it will get air trapped in the top of it regardless.

Its not the only car with the problem, my old Toyota wouldnt start unless facing downhill after running dry once.

Its not the only car with the problem, my old Toyota wouldnt start unless facing downhill after running dry once.

well, could've been worse, like having to face SouthWest or having to jack the car laterally

now seriously, my solution was to puncture the filter with a syringe needle in the topmost part, start the engine and vent the air.

then I stopped the engine and sealed the tiny hole with Bison glue.

now... how hard would have been to put a small vent valve on that filter from factory ?

They don't put one on there because there's no need!

ok then. problem sorted. there is not a design flaw.

fuel filter can stay half dry.