bravados

Well car was running fine, had service etc at garage. Went on holiday, came back and now the car won't start :-/ Any tips? Tricks? Im stumped

540 vette

Does it turn over. If it dosen´t maybe the battery is dead. Tip.... jump it to another car with booster cables. Tip.... if the battery is dead maybe you left the interior light on.

bravados

When I turn the ignition key it does turn over but doesnt start... Radio etc still works.

scottw

Do you have fuel in the carb bowls? After sitting for awhile, I have to crank mine over sometimes because the fuel is out of the bowls.

If so, check to see if you are getting spark. May be a coil, dist cap, or something else electrical.

bravados

When you say crank it over what do you mean? I've tried pumping gas pedal etc many times now. Tried yesterday and today. Starter doesn't sound as powerful now. Was thinking maybe pouring some fuel into carb but don't want to flood it? Kinda a newbie so unsure

GDaina

teaspoon of gas down the carb will fire it up

7t2vette

Also charge the battery with a battery charger.

silver79

Do you have a ingnition box?

jotto

After sitting for a couple of weeks, its possible as has been said there is nofuel in the carb bowls. Also, IIRC you posted before about having the choke removed so your starting procedure would be a bit different to normal.

Make sure battery is fully charged. Turn engine over on the key a little to at least get some fuel in the lines.
Pour a small amount of gas down the carb, a teaspoon is fine.
She should fire like that.
If she fires, runs and dies, at least you know you have fuel and spark. Repeat once more and she should run...feather the gas till warm enough to drive.

If she doesnt start or doesnt even seem to try to fire then perhaps look towards the ignition. Make sure you have a spark. Check points if required.

If you have a spark, you need to see if you are getting fuel. Remove the pipe from the carb and hold it over a jar. When turning the engine over, make sure you have a good flow of fuel.

Check fuel filter.

That should keep you busy for a little while.

bravados

Ok developments...

So seems now the car will only start if I drop some petrol into the carb. Went for a drive came back and still need to drop petrol in the carb to start

I accidentally in my rage nudged the left lever on the passenger side of the Rochester carb so tried to put that back in place (should that be in closed position? Seems to adjust idle speed in park.


Anyways now I'm lost what this can be? Must have enough battery as it starts with petrol dropped I'm carb?

Thanks for all help so far all

jotto

Ok ignition is good.....

So how far did you drive? Did you shut it down and then try to start immediately or did you leave it for a while?

If left, it could possibly be the fuel pump as I think they are supposed to have an anti drain back valve on them but Im not sure, others who do know will chime in.

Could be incorrect float level in the carb, dirt in the inlet needle/seat.
Have you checked the fuel filter ( its in the carb where the fuel line attaches )

Having said that, could you post a picture of the lever you nudged..... In a rage usually doesnt mean a nudge it means you hit it....hard! lol.

If you pull the dipstick, does it smell of petrol?

bravados

Went for about 20min drive after letting it warm up at stand still for like 10mins... Tried starting straight after and say 30mins after but no joy...

Haven't checked the fuel filter (newbie so will need to google where this is on the carb). What would I be looking for?

Pulled the dipstick and hard to say it kinda had abit of a petrol smell I guess hard to say... I assume this maybe a bad think if it is petrol?

Like I say before I went on holiday the car had a masses of work done from an insurance payout so service and tune and was running sweet. Sad times...

Assume my battery is fine then if it starts with fuel being dropped in the carb and I can drive etc...


This was the lever i nudged Green one...

GDaina

that is a tiny photo...

bravados

Larger photo...

BigBlockk

You should get a Rochester carburetor book so that you can learn enough to describe the problem more accurately.

Also, why is the secondary air door open?

BigBlockk

Later.....

GDaina

That gas line has been on and off a few times...how in the world could it get so twisted?

Indiancreek

I'd say it's time for a carb rebuild or replace. Like GDiana said, it's had issues before, it has been off before for some reason. I'd say the removal was after the carb had been on for a while because it looks like when the fitting was loosened the line was kinked when it turned with the fitting.

bravados

So secondary door meaning ones to back of carb open would no doubt be where i nudged the green cable so i will have to nudge that shut tonight so its back in the right place.

The fuel line kink (at least i know what it is now)... Unsure as i have only had the car about 2months.

As i said 2 weeks ago was running perfect. Now after holiday i need to drop fuel into the carb to get it running and driving :-/

71scgc

Replace the fuel line from the pump to the carb. It's horribly restricted. This was caused by someone removing it incorrectly. You need two wrenches (spanners) to do it correctly, one on the big nut on the carb, one on the smaller (flare nut) on the fuel line. Hold the big one and loosen the small one.
Carter

540 vette

So as soon as you get the car started by putting a small amount of gas in the carb it will run fine and restart.