Ignition or Fuel

[texsun]

Re: Ignition or Fuel

Thanks Mahoney. I appreciate the help.

I have had a question in my mind about my carburator. Is is possible for fuel to be getting to the carb..the accelerator pump to be puming fuel into the carb....but the float is stuck "shut" so that engine can't pick up and run?

I can't say thanks enough to everybody.

 

[Mahoney]

Re: Ignition or Fuel

Definitely, you could have the float valve seated and "stuck" so that while slowly the float bowl will fill and the idle circuit will run off that, it will quickly empty and run dry.

It is very hard though to determine untill you take the carb apart and clean out.

 

[namodnom]

Re: Ignition or Fuel

Fuel pump replacement fixed a similar problem that I had. Ran rough and would not throttle up. Bad fuel pump.

 

[texsun]

Re: Ignition or Fuel

Update.
Friday afternoon got home and hit the key and it started and ran -still wouldn't idle but it started. I ran it on the muffs for about three to five minutes.
Saturday AM hit the key- wouldn't start.
Removed plugs. They were understandably dirty from the prior attempts to start-but no strong/raw fuel smell.
Rolled the engine while grounding the plugs-they all fired/sparked.
Do you think it's time to rebuild the carburetor?

I appreciate the help!

 

[Don S]

Re: Ignition or Fuel

Friday afternoon got home and hit the key and it started and ran -still wouldn't idle but it started.

How are you starting this engine? Give your steps for trottle and key operation. Sure hope you aren't just "Hitting the key" and expecting it to start and run like a car with EFI does, cause it ain't gonna happen my friend. A carbed engine takes some work.

 

[texsun]

Re: Ignition or Fuel

Probably shouldn't have said "hit" the key.
What I should have said was - pumped the throttle twice, then leave throttle about 1/4 to 1/3 open and roll the engine. Did it that way Friday and it started -just like always. No fuel injection here. I wish. This is more like grand paws 1970 chevrolet pick up.

Do you feel a carburetor rebuild is the next step?

Thanks for your help!!

 

[texsun]

Re: Ignition or Fuel

Good Morning,
Took me a while but I proceded with Carb rebuild.
Reinstalled carb yesterday morning. Used previous settings on idle mixture and after cranking the engine for 15 seconds or so it started right up. Cool!
Let it come up to temperature and lowered the idle to about 1000 rpm(on driveway w/muffs). Idled good. Shut it down.
Came back 2 hrs later and it started and idle again. Shut it down. Did this acouple more times during the day-just to see if I had solved the problem and it started and ran good.
When I came out at about 7:30 -tried to start and it would not start. Cranked but wouldn't start as it did 3 or 4 times during the day. Same symptoms as before.
I have noticed that warmer days this problem does not happen. It seems to occur when the engine is cold. I had the engine compartment open and the sun was shinning brightly yesterday when I reinstalled the carb. Black engine seems to heat up and that seems to be related.
I'm reaching here guys.

I would appreciate any advice.
Mark

 

[Don S]

Re: Ignition or Fuel

When the engine WON'T start,

Did you check for spark?
Did you check for gas?

One of them is missing.

 

[texsun]

Re: Ignition or Fuel

When I checked for fuel and spark previously I had both but the engine would not run. I proceeded with the carb rebuild thinking that would solve the problem-or at least eliminate the carb. I'm really stumped with the inconsistency of the issue.
Fuel Question?
Is it likely that when I checked out the fuel pump as stated in the above post-that it worked at that point-but not work at other times?
Spark Question?
I do not know much about the electronic ignition systems but do you think this could be a spark advance issue?
Thanks Again

 

[texsun]

Re: Ignition or Fuel

update.
Went home for lunch. Removed the canvas cover and turned on the water. Advanced the throttle about 1/3 and turned the key. It started right up and idled. Came back out about 40 mins later and it started up again and idled. It was warm under that cover.

I appreciate any and all help.
Mark

 

[texsun]

Re: Ignition or Fuel

Good Morning!

I appreciate everyones advice and input. I guess I'll just have to wait until the problem presents itself again to answer the question - Ignition or Fuel?
I'll keep ya posted.
Mark

 

[texsun]

Re: Ignition or Fuel

Good Morning!
Took my boat to the shop last week. They checked it out and found that fuel side was good and proceeded to ignition checks.
Found low voltage at the distributor and traced it to a corroded kill switch. Replaced kill switch and they lake tested. It checked out good & they leaned the carb out a little.
I have not had a chance to go to the lake, but it started each and every time on Saturday on the muffs. We can boat 'til end of November or so...so I should be able to test it out several more times.
Thanks again for everyones input and help. I probably couldn't be a boat owner without the help that I get on this forum.
Mark