Suddenly won't idle - now won't start
- Thread starter gcrump01
- Start date
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From another thread, some things to try: Take the drain plugs out of the carb. Put a bent paper clip up into the carb to make sure the float is not getting hung up. Take the fuel line off and spray some carb cleaner in it, or some compressed air. Check for any vacuum leaks. Make sure the linkage (secondary is not hanging up. I read somewhere that someone had the secondary hanging up on the gasket and staying slightly open. Another muddder posted that the cotter key was hitting the secondary linkage.
I am just throwing out some things that I read when I was having a similar issue. Dont get frustrated, you will figure it out.
I am just throwing out some things that I read when I was having a similar issue. Dont get frustrated, you will figure it out.
- Thread starter
- #23
Cleaned out the carb again. Compressed air through it every which way. Anyway, got it running again. Going to run it by my mechanic tomorrow & let him August the valves, set timing, adjust carb, etc.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
- Thread starter
- #24
And one more step backwards....
It died on me again this morning on the way to the shop. Runs fine for a while, then seems to just die - like it's starving for fuel. Really starting to think this is just a bad carb, but I'll let the mechanics do their thing.
It died on me again this morning on the way to the shop. Runs fine for a while, then seems to just die - like it's starving for fuel. Really starting to think this is just a bad carb, but I'll let the mechanics do their thing.
What's the update? What'd your mechanic say?
- Thread starter
- #26
Metal screen in the carb where fuel line attaches was clogged up with a white gunk - looked like some kind of glue. Cleaned out & runs pretty good now. I've driven it about 80 to 100 miles over a weekend with no stalling.
It is still a little slow to crank the first time each day. Like it has to wait for the fuel pump to supply gas to start it, I would have thought the fuel bowl would hold enough gas to get it to start? Maybe I need to adjust the float a little?
It is still a little slow to crank the first time each day. Like it has to wait for the fuel pump to supply gas to start it, I would have thought the fuel bowl would hold enough gas to get it to start? Maybe I need to adjust the float a little?
Right on. Having similar issues with my '80...
Check the carb sight glass, if you have one, when you shut it down... then check it the next day, before you start it... has the fuel level dropped?
Your carb could be leaking into the intake manifold.
- Thread starter
- #29
Good idea, just checked it after driving it for a while tonight. Now I have a reference point - just below the middle of the sight glass.
sounds like the float is adjusted pretty close.
This is a classic indication the idle circuit is plugged -- trash in the idle circuit.
Make sure the fuel supply is clean-clean tank/clean filter---
When you got the new carb, did you dismantle and clean all the metal chips out of it?(appears to be a common prob with these)
Also check the float bowl inlet screen--maybe trash in there causing the bowl to fill slower
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Glad you got it going. I had a similar problem that was fixed by cleaning the carb.
With my Thole carb, when cold, I pull the choke all the way out, pump pedal once and it fires right up. As soon as it fires up I push the choke in until it idles just a little fast. Sometimes I have to choke it a little in the first mile or so. I haven't driven a carb vehicle in a long time, and sometimes I forget to give it a little fuel when starting. I still remember all the warnings when fuel injection first came out telling you not to press the gas when starting!
With my Thole carb, when cold, I pull the choke all the way out, pump pedal once and it fires right up. As soon as it fires up I push the choke in until it idles just a little fast. Sometimes I have to choke it a little in the first mile or so. I haven't driven a carb vehicle in a long time, and sometimes I forget to give it a little fuel when starting. I still remember all the warnings when fuel injection first came out telling you not to press the gas when starting!
- Thread starter
- #33
Can you determine... Is the fuel leaking around the base of the carb or the carb isolator?
If so, try tightening the four nuts that mount the carb to the manifold.
Or, is it leaking into the intake manifold? Sound, to me, like a carb rebuild is in order... But, I'm not a carb expert... Maybe Mark or Jim will weigh in... (@65swb45 ... @FJ40Jim )
It is fairly common for the fuel to drain out of the bowl overnight and into the intake manifold. It is not necessarily a leak or something that can be fixed without going back to 100% gasoline. Ethanol in the fuel increases the surface tension and it creeps out of the bowl through the idle circuit.
- Thread starter
- #37
I'm on 100% gasoline & it does not appear to be an external leak. So should I be concerned that it's leaking into the manifold?
It cranks right up with choke pulled & runs great, so my thought is to leave it alone. I'm just following up because the question was asked about it leaking down.
It cranks right up with choke pulled & runs great, so my thought is to leave it alone. I'm just following up because the question was asked about it leaking down.
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I have witnessed capillary action through the emulsifiers as well.
