No power to the engine. Could it be the carbs?

colnerov said:
Hi, a couple of things, If the tank is low on petrol, you say you've put 5 ltrs in but how much
was there in there already? The reserve gives you the last 1½ to 2 gallons so make sure the
reserve lever is pulled out so you don't get confused over that. You may need to crank it for a
little while, with a lovely assistant cranking it over watch the fuel filter to see if fuel is being
pumped up. If it is and still doesn't start then remove a spark plug, is it wet with fuel? If it's
dry then the fault could be with the carbs. If it's wet then put the plug back into the lead and
lay the plug on the engine so that it earths and get your lovely assistant to crank the engine
over again, does the plug spark? If it doesn't then the problem lies with the LT or HT in the
distributor. Do that then come back for further instalments.

Colin
Click to expand...

Finally got the fuel filter out, it is dirty but can't tell if it is the problem. With the filter off, the fuel hose
that goes to the filter is bare. And I tried to crank the engine so see if any fuel is pumped out. But nothing. Could this
be the fuel pump? Is this normal not to see fuel coming out of the hose? Thx again for your help.
 
Hi Raf,

I have not used Ryco air filters for eons, but the fuel filter is a Z14, and in fact I am using one now. You can file off the barbs and then use the proper nuts with 5/16" olives. The olives of course will be one use only.

When you crank the engine, fuel should spurt up everywhere. The fact that you see nothing suggests either the pump has failed or there is a blockage before the pump.

Ron.
 
Hi, that is a start or not it seems. Is the reserve lever right out? Can you get your lovely assistant
back again to push and pull to make sure it is going full stroke (90 degrees)on the tap because if it
stops halfway it can shut the fuel off. The reserve tap is on the bulkhead by where the throttle pedal
grommet goes. The next thing to check is if fuel is getting as far as the pump. The fuel pipe goes
from the reserve tap over the the bellhousing area and then down and along the side of the block to
the fuel pump. Undo the pipe where it goes into the pump, does fuel come out? If it does then it is
the fuel pump at fault. It might be an idea to jack the front of the car to stop fuel coming out all over
the floor, or have a length of hose to push over the pipe. Either with a bolt or bung in it or long enough
to go above the engine. If no fuel comes then try loosening the pipe at the reserve tap, still no? Then
there is a blockage in the pipes going to the tank or the tank itself.

Sorry if this is a bit 'Janet and John' but you said you're not mechanically minded, If so say so.

Colin
 
Hi Colin, cant thank you enough mate. I will do what I can and follow what you said step by step. However these all sounds quite out of my league. I do however have a neighbour who might be able to help so thats an option thereto hopefully get her to start today. Otherwise Al will be my saviour. :) will update and once again thank you everyone.
 
Another thing. The PET RESERVE lever cant be pushed in or out by much.

Is this normal?
 

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rafrover said:
Thats the maximum it can go out
Click to expand...


Proceed with care! I would not try forcing the the lever though sometimes they can be stiff to to move this is due to the angle at which the cable clamp terminates at the tap end.


I would be checking the reserve tap is not seized or gummed up with the old seal.

Graeme
 
It takes about 5 litres to effectively prime the fuel system, I'd put at least ten in the tank. You can then just jack the back of the car up high or park on a slope and the fuel will run out the pump inlet pipe. No need to crank. the pump only pumps once every two revolutions as it runs off the camshaft. So you will pretty well flatten the battery before it primes the carbies with a low tank. If you disconnect the petrol reserve cable from the tap be very careful not to drop the little device that holds the cable as it is held in by the clamped cable so will fall out when you disconnect. If the cable is the issue you can wire the valve in the reserve position ie. all the way in, till you get a replacement or around to fixing it.
 
ghce said:
rafrover said:
Thats the maximum it can go out
Click to expand...


Proceed with care! I would not try forcing the the lever though sometimes they can be stiff to to move this is due to the angle at which the cable clamp terminates at the tap end.


I would be checking the reserve tap is not seized or gummed up with the old seal.

Graeme
Click to expand...
hi Grame, any idea where i can find the reserve tap?

I've tried to sucked the petrol out of the fuel pump but it's not coming out. Wonder if its blockage. Dont know else I can do now.
 
Hi Raf,

The reserve tap is located behind the RH cylinder head down low. You'll just be able to see it, but trying to reach it with ease is another matter.

Ron.
 
Haha. Thx Ron. Didn't get much done today. Kids day. Hopefully tomorrow after work. Enjoy the rest of the weekend guys.
 
Hi guys...just to update. fuel pump is officially gone which is the main reason why there's been not much update. I've ordered a universal electrical pump, so will have a friend to help install it soon. The other thing is, how damaging is it on the engine or carbs when you run the engine on very old and stale petrol? The guys who are helping me on my car and have 30years of experience in engine said the fuel is very old and I should drain it all out. If that is true, it would be the previous workshop I sent it to did not drain the 7yr old fuel completely neither did they drain the trans and engine oil. Just a bit frustrating thinking about it. Anyway...gotta look forward and once fuel pump is in, I should be able to get her on the road.
 
Old fuel should cause no damage as long as it is still liquid - if it has gone like jelly it still wont damage anything but may gum things up in the fuel system which could be a pain.

Mine fired up on 10yr old fuel - before first start I simply diluted the old crappy stuff with 20-30 litres of fresh fuel. It ran badly and made a lot of white smoke at first but that soon cleared - only to be replaced by a haze of smoke from the engine bay as 10 years worth of dust and crap burnt off the manifolds!

So if you have a tank full of old fuel, probably best to drain. but if you have just a little bit sloshing around the bottom easier to dilute it with fresh.
 
i had a P5 which was in a barn for 20 years and the fuel smelled funny but after cleaning the points on the fuel pump it ran rather quickly.

Peter
 
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