half tank fuel surging issues.

[wfcruzr]

Ok so the mechanic checked everything out and took the timing cover off and found out that the timing cogs were out a tooth in alignment. when he first opened the bonnet his initial guess was that the dizzy is usually centred but mine was pretty much adjusted to one side and he asked if id had the timing belt done. I couldn't tell as no sticker or book stamp and he said that it's not uncommon for a belt replacement by a less than competent mechanic will see the tooth out 1 or more when put back together. Well his guess was spot on. My guess is that because there was so much advance that on a hot day when on light throttle or back off and it tries to retard spark it can't get it back far enough. Well new timing belt and water pump and job done properly should see a like new festy. get her back tomorrow. Ah well it's been a good excuse to drive the weekend car for two days although the neighbours will be happy when the festy is back as it's a bit quieter than a cammed v8 in the morning.

[Studebaker]

Now you have to show us the V8 car.

[wfcruzr]

20170527_131523-2.jpg

[FestYboy]

1 tooth should have exibited those symptoms... Lower power, yes, but not all the carrying on that you described.

I would recommend you have a compression test done as a baseline. A healthy engine should be above 11 Bar (1100kPa).

[wfcruzr]

Car has been great. No more issues.

[DaleInTN]

So you're saying your festy was fixed by this repair? I replaced the timing belt 2 years ago and this issue just started happening. Also, it doesn't make sense to me that it only has the issue with half a tank

[wfcruzr]

Yes mate it has fixed the issue. In your case I'd take it to a good mechanic and get them to look at it. could have skipped a tooth again or could be any other number of things. I took it to my mechanic after spending money on fuel pump, coil leads and plugs etc....

[w4rkry]

A quick aside for anyone reading this thread currently or in the future, wfcruzr is from Australia. That would make his 1998 Festiva equivalent to a 97 Aspire in the USA!

[DaleInTN]

I don't have a problem if I never let the tank get below a half tank. Anyone else have this issue? It makes no sense that the timing would be an issue after it gets below a half tank.

[fudge]

I havent read thru the whole thread but I have this problem and I know it's not my timing because this happened before my engine swap and it still happens.
I think it's what festyboy suggested or something else related to the fuel pump. I'm not much help but I also have this problem and I have been living with it for a while since I keep having other problems that take priority.

[93FestyEh]

I don't have a problem if I never let the tank get below a half tank. Anyone else have this issue? It makes no sense that the timing would be an issue after it gets below a half tank.

Have you tried cleaning out the fuel pickup tube inside the tank? That fixed my bad running issue when the gas dropped down a bit below 1/2 tank.

[DaleInTN]

No I haven't, thanks for the info! My issue is also when the fuel level gets a tad below half a tank

[93FestyEh]

No I haven't, thanks for the info! My issue is also when the fuel level gets a tad below half a tank

Here's the thread: https://fordfestiva.com/forums/showt...-a-tank-of-gas

[DaleInTN]

Thanks!

[wfcruzr]

Just an update for any interested. It's still running well with no issues and with a new excedy clutch it hums along nicely.