Looking for advice

[#41]

My best guess is that if the car is sometimes starting and sometimes not, and you are smelling gas, that it is choke related. Next time there is no start, take the air cleaner off and look at the choke. Is it all the ways closed or open? If all the way closed, cram it open with something ( I use the butt of a small screw driver) spray a shot of ether in the carb and try and start it. Then consider a choke adjustment depending on what carb you have.

Just guessing based on info provided. Hard to say without being there.

 

[DynamicXX]

Well, decided to jump head first into the carb. Quick download of the AVS2 specs, and first thing I checked was float height, um, wow...both not even close...spec says 7/16", I could put my finger under the one and the other wasn't barely moving...so much for my mechanic that was recommended to me...thanks to everyone for there help and insight. Will post once I get it back running, hopefully by this weekend...

 

[DynamicXX]

My best guess is that if the car is sometimes starting and sometimes not, and you are smelling gas, that it is choke related. Next time there is no start, take the air cleaner off and look at the choke. Is it all the ways closed or open? If all the way closed, cram it open with something ( I use the butt of a small screw driver) spray a shot of ether in the carb and try and start it. Then consider a choke adjustment depending on what carb you have.

Just guessing based on info provided. Hard to say without being there.

That's actually one of the first steps I did do. Had to go to Canadian Tire to buy ether, I haven't had a can of that in decades. Screwdriver in the butterflies, and quick spray while son cranked, nothing, didn't even fire off. I checked and was getting 12V to the choke power wire. Have since dissembled and found out my "Guy" who was a carb specialist or so he says, didn't adjust the float height's or possible didn't rebuild the carb properly after disassemble and cleaning in his ultrasonic cleaner...

 

[kiwigtx]

Oh man....we can't even rely upon a mechanic having looked at your car.

 

[DynamicXX]

Oh man....we can't even rely upon a mechanic having looked at your car.

Not to bash anyone based on age, but he is younger, maybe not a lot of experience with Carb engines, although he said he did have some. As someone who supplies product to the trades, I have been seeing this come for about 20+ years, slow drain of experience as people reach that age...at least here in Canada...and no one to pass that knowledge off too.

 

[Mopar Hunter]

I’m assuming you’re not using the fuel from last year and are using fresh fuel?

 

[70chall440]

I had a 67 Satellite that did the same thing, turned out it just needed a lot of fuel to fire especially after sitting. So, I’d pump the crap out of it to the point where you think it is flooded, try and start it. If it doesn’t go, hold the throttle wide open and try again.

 

[WileERobby]

I’m assuming you’re not using the fuel from last year and are using fresh fuel?

Good point, plus fuel sitting in a partially filled tank with condensation over the winter ? On top of that, just bolting on a carburetor and expecting it to work ? A carb MUST be SET UP.

 

[Road Grabber]

I've had this issue too. I agree totally sounds like a bad gas issue.

Having said that:

You can test very quickly to see if the engine kicks with some starter fluid and then probably stalls. The you know it's fuel related

I would definitely change/check the fuel filter. If you have a clear plastic one you will see junk in there. Take out the old metal one and dump it out. Cut it too if you want to see what's inside.

I had a car that I always put non ethanol fuel in premium and all kind of treatments. Stabyl every year. In other words treated very well. I have used K100 too.

When dumped the fuel out it came out clear then my gas was literally brown from deposits and fuel breaking down. I had to drop the tank and drain/clean/rinse with fuel. You should have seen the crud coming out. It was not rust.

Don't think that putting a new tank of fuel in solves anything if you have residue in the tank.

If you rebuild your carb and see deposits you can bet the contaminants in the tank will get right back into the rebuilt carb. I don't think syphoning the tank will you tell you much. The junk will still settle to the bottom.

If you decide to go this route don't forget to blow out the fuel lines.

There's a mechanic I know that does this every year for a an old gentleman. The problem is that he doesn't drive the car enough and he has to do this over and over.

I have fixed so many mowers because of bad gas clogging carbs and jets because they sit all year in the garage with bad fuel in them.

I am actually thinking about putting a drain in my tank and drain the fuel every season.