Engine: no start
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
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From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by cjben
how can I check for spark at the plug? put a plug in the plug wire and ground it to the block or something similar?
When you have time, try them all at once, it's pretty interesting to watch
Like everyone else said, check the spark at a spark plug, and then make sure timing is right.
Let us know.
New User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 24
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From: Crete, NE
What about a frozen fuel filter? Cheap fix if it is. You said the tank was about empty could have gotten some condensation in the line then froze and plugged the inline.
EDIT:
That would also explain why it ran on the gas you dumped in the carb
EDIT:
That would also explain why it ran on the gas you dumped in the carb
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,335
Likes: 6
From: Midwest
fordtrucktechnut,it ran for about 15 seconds when I poured gas in the carb. I poured gas in a couple times after that,and it wouldn't even think about starting. did the same when I put starting fluid in the carb. I can see and hear gas going into the carb when I move the throttle linkage,so I know it is getting gas from the tank. thanks for your suggestion
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 202
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From: southern Md
I am thinking the plugs are gas fouled....no cleaning will save them if thats the case. Cheap enough to change out plugs especially if they were due...also like stated earlier check your wires. Is this a points type ignition? If so I say look over it all otherwise I think it is the plugs. Just my .02
Glenn
Glenn
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Seneca, SC
I haven't messed much with the carbs ona 351, but perhaps your choke is stuck or otherwise messed up. Mine's a little older than yours, so that may not be an issue with you, but that would explain the warm start up and not the cold start up. Sometimes the choke just dosen't open up. But something has to be wrong with the fuel delivery if you know the timing to be right and the spark to be good. Other than a choke problem the only other thing I can think of is some kind of blockage in the intake. I normally wouldn't mention something that absurd, but when all else fails....
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,335
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From: Midwest
ok,here's a brief update. I had about 15 minutes before I had to come inside and get cleaned up for work tonight. I forgot I had this spark tester. you plug it in to a spark plug wire ,and ground the alligator clip to metal. I got spark to jump 1/2 inch before it wouldn't jump the gap any more,so I think the spark is fine to the plugs. I will get new plugs this weekend just to be safe. I ran out of time to check the timing. when I bring #1 cylinder up to compression stroke,the rotor is supposed to be pointing at #1 on the dist cap,right? or is it supposed to be pointing at the #1 cylinder? thanks,Ben
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 364
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From: Hartland, MI
#1 on the dist cap not the actual cylinder. I would bet spark plugs will help. I just went through this on a 300 6 and spark plugs made a huge diff. they were fuel fouled from a leaking carb.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Louisville,Ky.
yes it should be really close to the #1 plug wire on the cap (#1 is the front cylinder on the passenger side.
When you get it up on compression stroke (blows finger off of the plug hole), line up the TDC line on the balancer with the 0 on the timing marker. Then check the position of the rotor. It should be at the # 1 plug wire.
When you get it up on compression stroke (blows finger off of the plug hole), line up the TDC line on the balancer with the 0 on the timing marker. Then check the position of the rotor. It should be at the # 1 plug wire.
New User
Joined: Dec 2004
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I wonder if you have an electronic distributor? If you do it could be the pickup coil in the distributor. I had a problem with my Mustang periodically not starting and got so bad it didn't start at all. Just a thought, if you find you have a weak spark at the spark plug.
Justsam
Justsam
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Originally Posted by zwinstead
I have had vehicles sit for much longer and still ran on the gas in the tank. I dont think gas will spoil to the point of not running in 4 months.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
Old gas never gave me a problem - smelled funny, might be low in energy content (lower octane), but I've started stuff on 3 year old gas or more.
I have an '89 Honda NX650 Enduro - Do I put stabilizer in the gas? Do I drain the carb? Nope. I leave the fuel petcock OPEN - so the carb remains wet no matter how much evaporates. Still runs like the day I bought it brand-new. Seriously... carb's never been off, gas tank has no rust, fuel filter is clean, no varnish, nothing. It's sat for 3 years at a time, choke it, make sure the battery is good, crank, and start within 3 revolutions... after running it a while, I drain the carb, never get anything out of it besides clean gas.
My highboy sat for years with the same gas in the tank - like 5 years at least, it sat in the yard, barely being started every 6 months. Started and ran fine all those years - Took it apart, the carb was fine, tank, you name it.
I have an '89 Honda NX650 Enduro - Do I put stabilizer in the gas? Do I drain the carb? Nope. I leave the fuel petcock OPEN - so the carb remains wet no matter how much evaporates. Still runs like the day I bought it brand-new. Seriously... carb's never been off, gas tank has no rust, fuel filter is clean, no varnish, nothing. It's sat for 3 years at a time, choke it, make sure the battery is good, crank, and start within 3 revolutions... after running it a while, I drain the carb, never get anything out of it besides clean gas.
My highboy sat for years with the same gas in the tank - like 5 years at least, it sat in the yard, barely being started every 6 months. Started and ran fine all those years - Took it apart, the carb was fine, tank, you name it.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,038
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From: Spokane WA
The thing I keep getting stuck on is "It wont even fire with starting fluid" That would lead me to believe saprk or timing, but those dont jive with it running for 15 seconds, and If you havent touched anything that would eliminate timing in my book, which leaves spark, so I really like the gas fouled plugs Idea.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Midwest
ok,here's an update: IT RUNS!!! I checked the timing,it was spot on. After I got off work this morning,I went and got a new set of plugs. Went to bed for a 4 hours,couldn't sleep cause I was laying there thinking about if the plugs were gonna help it start or not. woke up about 2 o'clock and went out to the garage and went to work. checked the timing,like I said,it was spot on. I changed the plugs,hooked everything back up,pumped the accelerator twice and turned the key.Less than half a crank,and there is the rumble I know and love!! I let it run for a good 20 minutes,shut if off,started right back up. Idle is smooth as ever. I would like to think it was the plugs,but it is 57 degrees today,so I am thinking the temp might have had something to do with it. Guess I will find out next week when it probably will be down in the teens again thanks for everybody's help and suggestion on here
I let it run for a good 20 minutes,shut if off,started right back up. Idle is smooth as ever. I would like to think it was the plugs,but it is 57 degrees today,so I am thinking the temp might have had something to do with it. Guess I will find out next week when it probably will be down in the teens again thanks for everybody's help and suggestion on here