Stalls on hard left turn from stop

[Bettlesr]

Just had another thought. I just bought this car from someone I didn't know. As you know, there was a lot of water in NJ during the storm. Is it possible he filled the tank and got part gas and part water. Sloshing water around the pickup would make it sputter just like running out of gas. This would also cause the simptoms on a hard left turn instead of a hard right. When I take the pump out, I'll check the tank for water.
Couldn't hurt

[plain OM]

Wouldn't making a hard left turn cause the fuel to slosh over the the right hand side where the fuel pump is?

Perhaps, but that would depend on how long the turn takes, the design of the internal baffles, and how low the fuel is in the left side.

Sloshing water around the pickup would make it sputter just like running out of gas.

If there's water in the tank, it would have an impact even when going straight. The pump pickup is set low down in the tank (it's fixed in position at the bottom of the pump assembly) and the tank is shifting in different directions all the time. But even if during a turn the pump would pick up water that otherwise it didn't reach, it would take some time for the water to make its way to the engine where it could cause stalling. It's unlikely to reach the engine during a quick left turn, given that first there has to be the centrifugal force of the turn to move the water to the pump inlet, and then the time for it to be pumped to the front and injected in to the cylinders.

But this is just my way of seeing things. It will be interesting to learn what you find.

And yes, the other fuel level sensor, and the transfer pump pickup, is on the left side.

[subiesailor]

I faintly recall hearing about someone installing a fuel filter backwards or an off brand filter that caused fuel starve issues. I don't see how a stall at the turn would be caused at the fuel pump end of the system given if air is sucked into the system at the fuel pump your stall wouldn't happen till your a couple hundred feet down the street after making the turn.

Thinking something closer to the engine is causing this or perhaps not engine related at all - drive line binding up forcing the stall.

[subiesailor]

Check for loose floppy wires under the hood. The stall could be electrical caused by a wire moving and grounding out. Or a loose ground wire causing the electrical system to bonk etc.

Air sucked into the system at the fuel pump end would cause a stall or stumble a decent distance down the street from where the event that caused air to get sucked into the system

[Bettlesr]

When I take off on a left turn, It takes off like a shot. Just as I get to the traveling lane on the other road, it dies. About 3 to 5 seconds.

[1 Lucky Texan]

It only seems to do this below 3/8 of a tank of gas.

if this is true, its a transfer pump, fuel pump/fuel presure/'delivery' or possibly evap/tank pressure-type problem. I don't see how it could be driveline or intermittent electrical/cable short or open.

[Bettlesr]

I'm going to have to drive it for a few days to get the fuel level down to where it acts up again. Then start checking.

[1 Lucky Texan]

Originally Posted by Bettlesr

I'm going to have to drive it for a few days to get the fuel level down to where it acts up again. Then start checking.

I suppose I left out one possibility.

Do you have a good feel for what your mileage is? If so, you should know about what range you have. perhaps, you're just running out of fuel because the gauge is lying. Of course, your report of putting in 10 gallons instead of, what? - 13 or w'ever, kinda negates the empty tank/lying gauge idea.

[Bettlesr]

OK, I got the tank low enough to die on left turns. Took out the left side sender and pickup for the jet pump. The left side of the tank is full to the level of the hump in the middle of the tank. So, it appears the jet pump is not working. It was too cold out outside to take apart the right side. I was afraid I would break the plastic fittings on the hoses. I took off the hose from the right side and blew through it and fuel did come out of the pipe it had been connected to. This was with the tank cap on. Could this mean the main fuel pump is getting weak and not having enough fuel going through the return line to make the jet pump work? Again it took just about 10 gallons to fill it up.
Thanks

[1 Lucky Texan]

again, it would be a newly reported symptom but, you really should (when warmer and safe to do so) inspect the cap/o-ring on the fuel pump assembly. i 'suppose' it could be leaking/bypass just enough to do as you suggest and interfere with the jet pumps operation.

If there was no debris blocking the pump's intake OR its outlet, seems like pressure from the pump is the only issue left to check-out. I'd inspect all the internal hoses for cracks too i guess?