B400 - engine stalled after sudden braking

[Bela]

Yesterday, at 34°C (93°F) air temperature, I had a problem with my B400: the engine stalled after sudden braking. Afterward, I was able to start the vehicle by pulling the lever on the fuel pump. I wouldn't have expected this, since the fuel is still being flushed from the front. However, there's a short segment after the fuel pump toward the tank.

I've had the vehicle since 2019 and have never experienced this behavior. Is this a known issue?

[Stefan]

Mine does that occasionally, it’s just because the fuel in the float chambers tips forward , away from the jets. Itll restart normally afterwards.
. It’ll also happen on cornering at high speeds eg really, really fast round a roundabout, or on the circuit, for same reason. The engine cuts out briefly and spectators may report a flash of flame from the exhaust. Vroom vroom!

[Bela]

Originally Posted by Stefan

Mine does that occasionally, .....Itll restart normally afterwards....

If I could start normaly and rapidly - no problem. But in this case I must leave the cockpit. What makes the difference?

[David C]

You might consider checking the condition of the pickup screen on the tank unit in case that is slowing fuel delivery to the pump. Modern 10 % ethanol fuel supposedly does long term harm to some of the copper based components of the fuel system. The screen on my 403 had all but disintegrated and I spent quite a while blaming the carburettors for poor throttle response before the real problem was diagnosed by Coleman Classics.

[Bela]

I can't find a pickup screen near the tank in the parts list. But I did find one in the fuel pump. I'll take a look.

[David C]

My 400 is non standard so I can't help with specifics but I think the fuel take-off from the petrol tank will be removable with some sort of a tube with a mesh strainer at the bottom. that's what I am calling the pickup screen.