Stuttering and stall then must wait 10 mins to start

[seanolsen]

83 fj60 is stuttering and stalling about 15% of startups and after this happens she won’t start again for 10 mins. Any ideas? Carburetor I’m guessing but I’m wondering if anyone has had experience with this before.

 

[OSS]

Gotta always use the choke on a cold engine and pump the gas pedal a few times before cranking the starter - foot off gas pedal when cranking.

First troubleshooting procedure to always do first thing on these cruisers when the engine is running like crap is check the vacuum at idle once you can get it idling.
It should be above 17 inches Hg at sea level (usually more like 20inHg).

But yeah, it could be a dirty carburetor or maybe just a dirty fuel filter or maybe a weak fuel pump.

Before you actually try to start it in the morning, put the tranny in neutral and press in clutch but don't pump the gas pedal. Then just crank over the starter several revs (like 6). Doing this will fill the float bowl with fuel.

Then try to start is as described at the top

 

[Spike Strip]

Cold starts or warm starts or both?

 

[seanolsen]

I should have mentioned, new fuel pump and filter and seems to be both warm and cold.

 

[seanolsen]

Cold starts or warm starts or both?

Both. Also I forgot to mention I have a new pump and filter and she is desmogged

 

[Spike Strip]

Could be vapor lock, float bowl overfilling, choke not working ...

When was the carb last rebuilt? Is your cooling fan working? (less important since you're desmog)

 

[seanolsen]

Could be vapor lock, float bowl overfilling, choke not working ...

When was the carb last rebuilt? Is your cooling fan working? (less important since you're desmog)

Haven’t touched carb since I bought truck last year. I think it’s a troll hole carb. No heat shield and fan isn’t working. I checked for vapor lock.

 

[OSS]

But after you finally get it started, does the engine idle fine and run fine?
Is the problem only during starting?

 

[Seth S]

Is the starter turning the engine but the engine wont fire?

Also, try flooring the gas pedal and cranking the engine until it fires...or for like 10 seconds at a time

 

[seanolsen]

But after you finally get it started, does the engine idle fine and run fine?
Is the problem only during starting?

Only during starting. Once I get her going she’s fine.

 

[Seth S]

And since I don't see any mention of it:

1. what brand of plugs are you using and have you checked their gap and how old are they?
2. How old are your plug wires, cap, rotor?
3. Is the air filter clean?
4. have you looked for vacuum leaks....like broken or missing hoses?
5. Have you checked the valve clearance?
6. is the timing set properly?

 

[seanolsen]

And since I don't see any mention of it:

1. what brand of plugs are you using and have you checked their gap and how old are they?
2. How old are your plug wires, cap, rotor?
3. Is the air filter clean?
4. have you looked for vacuum leaks....like broken or missing hoses?
5. Have you checked the valve clearance?
6. is the timing set properly?

I haven’t checked timing in 8 months. Did valves plugs and wires at the same time. Air filter is new. Not sure on brand of plugs. What do you guys usually use?

 

[OSS]

If the carburetor accelerator pump is shot, (it shouldn't be with a newish carb) starting the engine is almost impossible. The accelerator pump squirts fuel with force down into the intake manifold when you quickly press down on the gas pedal.
You can verify if it's working correctly by peering down the carb throat while twisting the throttle linkage. You should see a high pressure stream of gas squirting down.

Another option is just give the engine a complete tune up by the book. Follow all the steps in order in the 2F engine manual. Don't skip any steps.

 

[seanolsen]

If the carburetor accelerator pump is shot, (it shouldn't be with a newish carb) starting the engine is almost impossible. The accelerator pump squirts fuel with force down into the intake manifold when you quickly press down on the gas pedal.
You can verify if it's working correctly by peering down the carb throat while twisting the throttle linkage. You should see a high pressure stream of gas squirting down.

Another option is just give the engine a complete tune up by the book. Follow all the steps in order in the 2F engine manual. Don't skip any steps.

Hmmm. Do you think it’s possible the accelerator pump is on the way out? Or do they just go?

 

[OSS]

It's really easy to check it

 

[seanolsen]

It's really easy to check it

Ok. I’m not familiar with them. My thoughts were that it sounds like it’s obviously working when she starts, I’m just wondering if it’s on the fritz, so to speak, when it fails to start. If it’s a warning sign sort of thing.

 

[g-man]

You may be flooding your carb. If it doesn't "Catch" and fire up after the appropriate amount of quick pumps on the accelerator pedal and pulling the choke, then it's easy to flood the carb if you continue with pumping the pedal and choking. The resulted flooded state of the carb means waiting...10 minutes sounds about right. The next time your motor doesn't fire up after about the 2nd attempt.....try waiting a minute then cranking the motor with the choke off and no pumps to the pedal. Basically dry cranking ...because hey you prob already have enough fuel in the carb. If it still doesn't catch, walk away and wait.

So why did it not fire up? too much pumps of the accel pump? trash in the carb? accelerator pump on the fritz?

 

[Seth S]

I haven’t checked timing in 8 months. Did valves plugs and wires at the same time. Air filter is new. Not sure on brand of plugs. What do you guys usually use?

NGK or Denso plugs. .031" gap