Hard start
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Greece NY
Hard start
I feel like im having issues left and right but at least im getting them done. ANYWAYS
I have a 83 f150 with 173k miles on it. I replaced the spark plug wires, distributor cap, and rotar recently. I fixed my carb (loose on the base), a few months ago replaced my fuel pump. My fuel filter is no where near clogged (checked when i fixed the carb). It seems though that when i drive it a little bit and even shut it off for just 1 min. I cant get it to start. I noticed this morning that the truck did not smell like fuel when i primed it to attempt to get it running. Even when i put starter fluid it will not turn over. Later today i will be replacing my sending unit (which the pickup is bad). I also been having a bizzare electrical issues and starting to think they are tied together somehow. Fuel pump is mechanical, no i dont have a inline pump. I am thinking of looking at my spark plugs to see where im at since when i replaced them a year ago (10k miles ago). Someone told me it might be my coil. Im trying to get a second opinion because im thinking of replacing the coil next.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,951
Likes: 2,718
From: Virginia
You are not specific enough on the problem. You said it "won't turn over". Is that just a phrase you are using or will the engine not crank by the starter?
If it does crank by the starter, you need to see if you have fuel and spark. Right now you are guessing, going from the fuel tank to the coil. When it won't start, go out and take the aircleaner off and look down the carb throat while you open the throttle by hand. You should see fuel squirting into the engine down inside the carb throat. You said something about starter fluid not helping, but just to make sure try this.
If you have fuel, you can get one of those spark checkers at harbor freight and plug it in and see if the little light inside blinks. Or you can take a sparkplug wire off, stick a screwdriver up in the wire, and then hold the screwdriver by the plastic handle and put the metal shank close to the engine metal somewhere and get someone to crank the engine and see if a spark jumps from the screwdriver to the engine block.
If you verify you don't have spark, we can start looking at the wiring. Make sure you have a testlight or voltmeter ready for this.
If it does crank by the starter, you need to see if you have fuel and spark. Right now you are guessing, going from the fuel tank to the coil. When it won't start, go out and take the aircleaner off and look down the carb throat while you open the throttle by hand. You should see fuel squirting into the engine down inside the carb throat. You said something about starter fluid not helping, but just to make sure try this.
If you have fuel, you can get one of those spark checkers at harbor freight and plug it in and see if the little light inside blinks. Or you can take a sparkplug wire off, stick a screwdriver up in the wire, and then hold the screwdriver by the plastic handle and put the metal shank close to the engine metal somewhere and get someone to crank the engine and see if a spark jumps from the screwdriver to the engine block.
If you verify you don't have spark, we can start looking at the wiring. Make sure you have a testlight or voltmeter ready for this.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 35
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From: Greece NY
I replaced the ignition coil with a colleague of mine and right there and then when trying to start it up it did it. I had to pump the gas repeatedly to get it to actually go. im starting to suspect my carb has something to do with it. I plugged a vac line that the cap came off. that stopped my up down idle and runs much much smoother. BUT once i hit half a tank and never fails, i start spittering and spuddering after hitting 48-52mph. I replaced the sending unit last week. It really needed it, missing the screen and looked like hell. Ive been searching on the web and im gonna take a look at the spark plugs next week when it warms up. After work im gonna look at the distributor cap and rotor to look for any corrosion. I hope not because i JUST replaced that in the spring because it needed to be replaced. Right now my concern is that not liking to start and spuddering when going over 50. I cant even punch it, if i do it gets worse
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Greece NY
when i tightened the carb to the base, the fuel filter was fine, Water in the gas would not surprise me since every time i put ethanol infused gas i have some sort of an issue. Ill look into the dry gas then. I didnt see any water when i took out the tank to replace the sending unit.
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 38
From: EXTREME southwest CT
"Dry gas" is just more alcohol anyhow.
If the pump gas is 1/10 and you put in 10 gallons, how much difference do think a half pint will make to the one gallon already in there?
Alcohol absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. If your truck sits long enough it will pull enough water to fall to the bottom. Run it low on gas and put in fresh. Buy pure gas if you can find it.
If the pump gas is 1/10 and you put in 10 gallons, how much difference do think a half pint will make to the one gallon already in there?
Alcohol absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. If your truck sits long enough it will pull enough water to fall to the bottom. Run it low on gas and put in fresh. Buy pure gas if you can find it.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Greece NY
I have found the source, there is corrosion on the connector for the ignition module. If it was on the module i would replace that but its on the wireharness side. All I need is to find the adapter so i can splice the wires and replace the connector
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pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 38
From: EXTREME southwest CT
All the connectors are listed in the tech/diy stickies at the head of this forum.
There is always the Motorcraft plug & pigtail pdf catalog.
I don't have that bookmarked on my phone, sorry.
There is always the Motorcraft plug & pigtail pdf catalog.
I don't have that bookmarked on my phone, sorry.
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