My old faithful has never had a problem starting in the 19 years I have owned it. It began running rough the last few weeks and I thought it was a fuel filter problem. I went to start it yesterday and it would crank but only fire every now and then. I could smell gas so I figured I flooded it. After sitting all day I tried it and the same thing happened. It did fire once and cough/sputtered for about a minute then died. I can smell gas like it is flooded. Any ideas?

It is the straight 6 200cc. Simple but reliable and 40 years old this year. Thanks.

 

Put in a new set of points and condenser.

 

Which carburetor do you have? And does it need to be rebuilt/ is it leaking?

 

I don't know on either question. The carb looks like a little single barrel whatever was standard.

How do you tell if it is leaking and what does a rebuild involve?

Thanks

 

Check the hose between the fuel pump and the carb for leaks, too. With a strong smell of fuel, it sounds like the fuel pump is activating when you're turning over the engine. And theengine sputtering or not running sounds like the fuelmay not getting to the carb. Maybe check your float bowl for fuel after an attempt to start the vehicle?

+1 on checking for leaks around the carb/accelerator pump.

Either way, a strong fuel smell indicates a leak...which means you could have a safety/fire hazard. Try to resolve that asap.

Good luck.

 

Sounds like the Autolite 1100 carb. You should be able to visually see if you have leak. You can also take a rag or paper towel and wipe around the carb base. If there's a leak, you'll see a bit of evidence (as well as smell it).

A rebuild involves removing the carb. Once off, you dismantle it to clean out any clogged ports/jets/etc with carb cleanor and then rebuild it with fresh gaskets (from your local autoparts store).

A very doable project for anyone who can read directions, has a few tools, has a few hours, has a small work space, and a bit of patience. Oh, a digital camera helps for the rebuild portion, but there's a lot on the internet already posted.

Good luck.

 

Thanks I will check the fuel line. Is the fuel pump not suppose to activate when I crank?

 

Sorry...I didn't phrase my response above very well.

Yes, your fuel pump IS supposed to pump when you crank it. I actually meant to say that your pump sounds like it is working correctly, since you ARE smelling gas afterwards.

By the way, that's just a suggestion of what may be happening...sorry for the confusion!

 

Thank you. I am looking for any and all suggestions as my knowledge is basic but I enjoy it. I will post tomorrow and let you know what happens.

 

Yeah! Thank you all for your input. She started up last night but I did not do anything. Let me describe it and see if anyone has any ideas. I cranked and it fired and died. After several times it fired and I was pumping the gas like mad and it began to cough and sputter for almost a full minute and every time I would easy the gas pumping it would start to die. Finally, it caught and reved up. It idled fine. I shot carb cleaner in while it was running and let it idle for 10 minutes or so. I turned it off and tried again a few minutes later and it fired right up no problems.

Does this sound like anything familar?