FJ stalled in driveway after running for 10 minutes and now won't start (2 Viewers)

[jschlosser]

Hi,

I was running my cruiser in the driveway tonight and it stalled and will no longer start.

When I first started it tonight, I didn't really use any choke and it started and then stalled. I thought nothing of it since I normally use the choke but it was a warm tonight so I didn't think I needed it. I started it again with the choke and it started like always and just ran for about 10 minutes. It then just died and would not longer start. I have gas in the tank. I tried starting fluid and it just cranks but won't fire up the engine.

I can see gas in my carb and when I hold down the gas pedal I can smell some gas. There is no gas leaking on the ground and the pump isn't that old. Filter doesn't look that old either, but I know it hasn't ben replaced in more than a few years.

I'm at an angle on the driveway and thought about pulling level but if I do, I'm blocking the street. But maybe the angle is keeping gas from the pump since the back is tilted down? I did notice the last time I drove it last weekend it wasn't as jumpy an i had to push the pedal down a bit more to get it going by feeding it more gas.

It's not my daily drive so I start it once a week or once every 2 weeks to keep the battery and car ok. I'll drive it maybe 2x a month for 2 miles or so.

Anyone have any ideas what's going on here?

Bad filter? pump? plugs? I mean it was running just fine then it just died out of no where.. ugh. Angle of the car keeping gas from reaching the pump? lol.. if it's that I'm a fool.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Schlosser

 

[jschlosser]

ok, so the tank is 1/2 full so it's not that. I waited maybe 30 min and it started and tried to die so I had to feed it gas to pull it back into the garage. so I kept it running maybe 5 min pumping the gas pedal to maybe clear the system? it was really smelly, seem more than usual, but I was feeding it way more gas that normal, but it's also a warm windless night tonight in Northern Cali. After the 5 min I turned it off and am letting the garage air out. Still no idea what's going on or if it will start tomorrow.

 

[DesertFJ40]

Not sure, but I'm just guessing.... Maybe your idle selenoid? There might be a wire that runs from your ignition coil to the idle selenoid on your carb. The symptoms kinda sound like it could be it. Either the wire is busted or the selenoid itself. It's a small plunger mechanism from what I recall.

It happend to me when I was driving and suddenly it shut off on the road. I would be coasting down the road, crank the engine, and it would fire right up as long as I kept my foot on the pedal. Pulling the choke helped as well if I did choose to take my foot off the gas. For me, it was the wire to the idle selenoid. It had busted and all I needed to do was solder it back together.

Or maybe your wire came loose on the ignition coil side and it's not getting "power" as it should. Meaning bad contact to the power cable. Maybe it was "jumpy" as you say because the wire or selenoid was giving out and barely staying alive just long enough to get you home.

You are getting fuel to the carb, and you did step on it to clear anything out. I doubt your carb is dirty inside, but you never know. We'll start with the easy things first.

 

[anothernz45]

Try taking your filler cap off, vent may be blocked. Then check fuel filter.

 

[45Dougal]

I firstly go back to whatever I was fiddling around with before it died.

Sounds like you have fuel to some extent at least.
Is everything else working normally? Lights etc etc.
Ignition switch and connector in good shape? Battery terminals on tightly?
Points (?) Gap set correctly
Do you have a good spark?

 

[jschlosser]

Not sure, but I'm just guessing.... Maybe your idle selenoid? There might be a wire that runs from your ignition coil to the idle selenoid on your carb. The symptoms kinda sound like it could be it. Either the wire is busted or the selenoid itself. It's a small plunger mechanism from what I recall.

It happend to me when I was driving and suddenly it shut off on the road. I would be coasting down the road, crank the engine, and it would fire right up as long as I kept my foot on the pedal. Pulling the choke helped as well if I did choose to take my foot off the gas. For me, it was the wire to the idle selenoid. It had busted and all I needed to do was solder it back together.

Or maybe your wire came loose on the ignition coil side and it's not getting "power" as it should. Meaning bad contact to the power cable. Maybe it was "jumpy" as you say because the wire or selenoid was giving out and barely staying alive just long enough to get you home.

You are getting fuel to the carb, and you did step on it to clear anything out. I doubt your carb is dirty inside, but you never know. We'll start with the easy things first.

I though that too and tried all the connections and they seem to be ok and tight, it didn't start after I checked them, but did after I let it sit for 30 min. I'll check again.. the choke did not help when trying to start it again....I'll check all the connections again though. thank you!

 

[jschlosser]

Try taking your filler cap off, vent may be blocked. Then check fuel filter.

I will give both of those a try.. those are the easiest for me.. I should change the fuel filter anyways, been too long.

thank you!

 

[jschlosser]

I firstly go back to whatever I was fiddling around with before it died.

Sounds like you have fuel to some extent at least.
Is everything else working normally? Lights etc etc.
Ignition switch and connector in good shape? Battery terminals on tightly?
Points (?) Gap set correctly
Do you have a good spark?

well, I did try to change out the starter but that was like 3 months ago and I put everything back and it's ran fine until last night. I'll check everything else but what I can tell it's all fine too.
I'm going to check all the connections again but the battery terminals are on tightly, I replaced them a few months ago.
I don't know how the check the points or the plugs, but should read up on that.

Thank you!

John

 

[pb4ugo]

Did you check for spark after spraying starting fluid down the carb?

 

[Skreddy]

I’m assuming an F or 2F engine with stock carb since you said you have a sight glass. Doesn’t sound like a fuel delivery issue but could be running rich and fouling plugs by just sitting there idling for 10 minutes. As said, check for spark when it happens. Half a tank on a steep incline could be the problem too with the fuel all sloshed behind the pickup, but should be fine if it’s halfway up the sight glass.

I would do a full baseline/tuneup if you’re unsure how old everything is. Points and condenser (if points), cap and rotor, plugs and plug wires, full tank of fresh fuel, check timing, check compression while you have the plugs out. Check and adjust valves if you can.

I personally feel like one of the worst things you can do for engines is start them once or twice a month and just let them idle to warm up or take short drives. Everything needs to be brought to full operating temp to steam the moisture out of the oils and exhaust, etc. as well as fully lubricate everything in the engine, trans, axles, etc. It’s better to buy a battery tender and fuel stabilizer and let it sit for 6 months between drives than to start it and do a warm up or really short drive.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

When's the last time you put gas in the tank?

 

[SergP]

I’ve had similar symptoms a few times. And each time, it was due to a carburetor that needed adjustment or was clogged.

 

[Living in the Past]

Idling ten minutes with the choke pulled, then smelling gas. I doubt you have fuel issue if the gas is good. Guessing running rich it probably fowles up the spark plugs. I would suggest a long highway to see if it clears up. Usually the best thing to do when installed because it has too rich of fuel to air is with the choke not pulled run the engine with the accelerator wide open to burn off any sitting in the intake or anywhere else.