460 Hard Start
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460 Hard Start
Hi.
I'm new to the site and hope I can get some help.
I have a 1987 E350 RV. It is a carb. model 460CI.
My problem is: When I let it sit for ,say a week, I have to pump the gas pedal many, many time and grind the starter 7 or 8 times ( about 15 seconds each time) to get the engine running. Once running I have no problem. I noticed that I have 2 fuel ines coming from the fuel tank, but I'm not sure if I have an electric fuel pump that feeds the carb. or not. Sorry I don't have the vehicle here to look at to see if I have an engine fuel pump or not. Is it possible to have both?? Do carb. engines have electric fuel pumps?? Please advise. Thanks.
Doc Paul
I'm new to the site and hope I can get some help.
I have a 1987 E350 RV. It is a carb. model 460CI.
My problem is: When I let it sit for ,say a week, I have to pump the gas pedal many, many time and grind the starter 7 or 8 times ( about 15 seconds each time) to get the engine running. Once running I have no problem. I noticed that I have 2 fuel ines coming from the fuel tank, but I'm not sure if I have an electric fuel pump that feeds the carb. or not. Sorry I don't have the vehicle here to look at to see if I have an engine fuel pump or not. Is it possible to have both?? Do carb. engines have electric fuel pumps?? Please advise. Thanks.
Doc Paul
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 130
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From: Ottawa
from the sound if it you probably have not fuel pressure after a while. once the trucks been running does it start faster? If so likely the fuel pressure is leaking down. I don't know about the carbed trucks but on most I've seen (80's efi) there is a low pressure pump in each tank and a high pressure pump on the frame rail. The regulator I believe is located on the injector rail (not sure about carbed).
If your fuel pumps are electric try turning the ignition on/off a fer times to prime the lines.
All this to say if it starts well after it's been run recently (20 min / hour/ 2 hours) I would check your pressure regulator. Easy way is before you go start it on an EFI truck you can open the Schroeder valve (looks like tire valve) if no fuel squirts out there's no pressure. There must be a way to check carbed fuel lines in a similar fashion.
If you have a mechanical fuel pump I believe that once the diaphragm wears out or starts to crack it may also leak down. (not alot of experience with mechanical)
If you suspect a bad pump I'd suggest replacing with an electric pump but thats another project.
If your fuel pumps are electric try turning the ignition on/off a fer times to prime the lines.
All this to say if it starts well after it's been run recently (20 min / hour/ 2 hours) I would check your pressure regulator. Easy way is before you go start it on an EFI truck you can open the Schroeder valve (looks like tire valve) if no fuel squirts out there's no pressure. There must be a way to check carbed fuel lines in a similar fashion.
If you have a mechanical fuel pump I believe that once the diaphragm wears out or starts to crack it may also leak down. (not alot of experience with mechanical)
If you suspect a bad pump I'd suggest replacing with an electric pump but thats another project.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
You need to check to make sure that the fuel pump is running when you are cranking the engine. There are 2 small wires on the starter solenoid. The one on the big starter wire side (marked "I") feeds the pump while cranking. Pull the wire off the terminal and use a jumper wire to connect it to 12 volts. You should hear the pump running in whichever tank you have selected. If the pump runs the solenoid is probably bad.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
No regulator on the carb fuel system. My 1984 F250 with carbed 460 has the cool system on it that shunts any fuel not used by the carb back to the tank. It keeps the fuel cooler along with the pump.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
I'm a few days behind, but I had something similar happen to me. After a few days of sitting it would be hard to start. I had a leak in my fuel line. Air was letting the fuel drain back down the line. So, if you hav'nt found your problem, you might check that.
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I would like to thank all of you who helped me solve the hard start problem. I finally located the electric fuel pump relay and have installed a pushbutton that allows me to 'prime' the carb. It now starts like a dream. Again, thanks to all.
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pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
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From: EXTREME southwest CT
I suggest you have a bad gasket or the primary bowl is loose.
I was plagued with a similar situation in my pickup.
You might want to check this. !!!
A puddle of gasoline on your intake manifold can be hazardous to your health.
(not just the fumes, but a fire in the doghouse could really ruin your day)
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
There is no way the power valve can completely drain the float bowl, ever. Which is the only way it could cause hard starting. Besides that the engine would idle like crap with a blown power valve.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
I've been working on Holley carbs since whenever, well my first by myself was in 1960 and I have never seen a carb gasket go bad while then engine was working. Setting on a none running engine or on the shelf, sure but not while the engine was in working order. OH yeah, I was a professional mechanic for 30 years and was a carb specialist a bunch of that time.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 91
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From: Canada
Sorry Bear your talents are not a question here. Remember this guy is working on an RV not a race car. It probably sits for a couple months a year and could develope problems during that time. My plow truck is an old bronco and it sits thru the spring, summer & fall months. It has a motorcraft 2100 on it and did develope a gummed up power valve that stuck open and the gas would leak thru the gasket onto the intake while it sat. Im not a professional mechanic ....just sharing my experiences I have had with fords to try and help.
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