starting issue

[jacksauto]

My M just got on the road recently.,engine ran great when I got it running ,she is a 12 volt truck with a Ball &Ball carb.after I put on a new coil ,condenser,fuel tank removal and cleaning,new lines and pickup filter,and fresh fuel.she would start every time,but just lately she has been hard to start,as if no fuel,if I touch the gas pedal and choke it a bit,she tries to start ,cranks for a long time then starts with a lot of sputtering and idles fine ,but eventually dies at idle, and alot more cranking to get her started,I can drive her around the block.temp only gets to 140,the purring kitten suddenly is a sick one,I am thinking the carb ,does any one have the same thought .I am not a mechanic but the carb and fuel pump were never touched,I also put the vent lines from the tank into the aircleaner don't know if that would have anything to do with it ,any ideas out there... Jack

[ZGjethro]

I am not a mechanic either. I do ride and wrench on my own dirtbikes, snowmobiles and vehicles though. It sounds like a fuel delivery issue. That could mean fuel pump, filter, float issues, or carb blockage. This is assuming your timing is good and you have a healthy spark. It would take a while for vacuum to build it the fuel tank to the point that fuel would not flow. Some of the more savvy members will chime in here hopefully. Good luck

[Cal_Gary]

You might check your fuel cap to ensure it's "vented" or else you invite fuel starvation at the carb; I know you mentioned attaching the fuel vent lines but they could be clogged; any idea how clean your tank is, and how fresh is the fuel?
Just my 2 cents,
Gary

[tbone1004]

It could also be a bad vacuum line. Put a vacuum gauge on the intake manifold and see if you have a vacuum leak. Gas engines don't run without vacuum. I'm thinking a line finally let out and you're losing engine vacuum. Check your spark plugs, that will tell you if you're getting fuel or not. If you're not then you could likely have a clog in a carb jet, especially if it will run fine above idle.

[macibell111]

Like I said I am not a mecahanic.but u mention maybe a vacuum leak ,I know the wipers are run by vacuum and I took off the lines and I get a lot of air from the wipers ,would that have anything to do with hard starting being it is a vacuum leak.

[tbone1004]

disconnecting the vacuum lines to the wipers without plugging them will absolutely cause all of those problems. If you don't want to connect them back to the wiper motors you will have to plug them. I think they are 1/4" lines and you should be able to find plugs at HD, Lowes, Harbor Freight, or wherever has hardware.

Plug the lines back into the wipers and see if it fixes it

[m37jarhead]

Jack:
If it ran good before and now you have a problem, maybe you should re-trace your steps and re-check all the things you've touched.
It IS possible your new points, condenser or coil are bad. Are you getting a good strong spark?
I've bought new points and condenser that are bad and put the old ones back in only to find the engine purrs like a kitten.

In any event, you'll have to get back to basics..... does it have fuel, fire, point gap, timing, compression, etc.

First re-visit the areas that you messed with.
Keep us all posted on what you find.

Jerry

[Sal]

If your chasing down what you think might be a vacuum leak don't forget to check the primer lines on the intake manifold if you still have them. Mine were leaking and I had to remove them and plug the openings.

[macibell111]

well it is worse.i pluged the wiper vacuum lines.checked the fuel pump,have plenty at the carb,but now it wont even try and start,i am going to retrace my old or should I say new parts I put in and see if I have spark,tried starting fluid in desperation and that doesn't make a difference,wondering if the float is stuck,its acting like its flooded.I will check for spark tommarrow.and let u guys know. thanks for all the input [ jack

[tbone1004]

pull the carb off and get the junk out of the idle jet. If fuel is in the carb and it won't start it's either spark or the jets. Luckily both are easy to diagnose and fix. What do your spark plugs tell you? Wet or dry fouling?

[jacksauto]

I took out the plugs and they are black and dry,I have spark ,it wants to start with starting fluid ,so I think u are on to something,i will pull the carb off , how hard is it to clean the jets?do I just blow in compressed air to clean or clean with carb cleaner?

[tbone1004]

either would work, but if you pull the jets out push it out backwards so you don't mar any of the surfaces. I haven't pulled the carb on one of these but it shouldn't be that bad. Black usually means it's running too rich actually but could also just be because you haven't actually gotten the engine up to temperature where the soot can burn off.... might be flooding if something is wrong with the float and it is getting too much fuel in there, may want to back off on the idle screw and see if it starts better that way. turn the screw all the way in, then back it out 2 full turns. pull choke about half way out and throttle to half and see if it will go, once it catches get the throttle down and let it warm up all the way then you can start mucking with the screw, backing it out until it starts to sputter then back in just a little bit. hopefully backing off the idle screw will help

[jacksauto]

I will try that adjustment and see what happens.wont be able too till the weekend though ,will let u know how it works thanks again for the help...jack