Fuel, Spark, timed, but wont start even with starter fluid

[zanblackrain]

I have a 1980 CJ5 with a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l CI, 4 speed Transmission . 2 barrel carb. sat for 4 years

dropped the Tank and cleaned it and cleaned the fuel lines.

Took carb apart and cleaned it all up and it is functioning

new starter, new solenoid, New battery,

Pulled Distributor out and reset it TDC on the compression stroke
with correct timing order to the plugs to make sure of timing.

I have fuel going into the motor,( i can see it when i open the butterfly sitting in the intake).

I have a nice blue spark.

i dont have a compression tester, but it will blow my finger off the spark plug hole on the compression stroke.

However it will not start even when i try starter fluid, or gas in the carb.
It just turns and not even a sputter.

It cranked up and ran for about 15 seconds yesterday while i was working the carb to keep it running. it died and will spin over with no start.

I have read other forums on here and I see others have had the same problem. but after reading the whole thing they just say problem fixed and dont tell what was wrong. I am up for any advise. I am a good mechanic but i am stumped.

Please Help. Thanks ZAN

 

[Hedgehog]

The engine running magic simply doesn't work in your neck of the woods.

You write as if everything is perfect, obviously it is not, something is wrong and it's probably something simple. Check to make sure your spark plug wires are running to where they are supposed to. There was a thread here where the problem was the engine was set up 180 degrees out .... there are two TDS's on a 4 stroke one is exhaust the other is compression. You should be getting some popping, some farting, some blow back, something. Also remember a nice blue spark at atmospheric pressure can be a weak pathetic SOB under compression.

Is your battery hooked up backwards?

 

[zanblackrain]

Battery is hooked up correct. It is timed correctly. and I just went through the carb again. It is spraying gas, I did notice when i took the carb off that there was a small pool of gas sitting in the intake. but my spark plugs are dry. Does that narrow it down any? I hope so......... And thank you for the reply

 

[tarry99]

I have a 1980 CJ5 with a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l CI, 4 speed Transmission . 2 barrel carb. sat for 4 years

dropped the Tank and cleaned it and cleaned the fuel lines.

Took carb apart and cleaned it all up and it is functioning

new starter, new solenoid, New battery,

Pulled Distributor out and reset it TDC on the compression stroke
with correct timing order to the plugs to make sure of timing.

I have fuel going into the motor,( i can see it when i open the butterfly sitting in the intake).

I have a nice blue spark.

i dont have a compression tester, but it will blow my finger off the spark plug hole on the compression stroke.

However it will not start even when i try starter fluid, or gas in the carb.
It just turns and not even a sputter.

It cranked up and ran for about 15 seconds yesterday while i was working the carb to keep it running. it died and will spin over with no start.

I have read other forums on here and I see others have had the same problem. but after reading the whole thing they just say problem fixed and dont tell what was wrong. I am up for any advise. I am a good mechanic but i am stumped.

Please Help. Thanks ZAN

I know you cleaned your fuel tank and I assume you now have fresh fuel in there and I hope you put an inline clear filter in there before the fuel pump!
just to catch anything left.......you can take it out later.
Well if it started and ran for 15 seconds it does not sound like it is 180 degrees out of time...........have you checked the plugs after you have cranked it over for a period of time? Are they Wet or Dry? Sounds like either you have no fuel or too much fuel and its flooding........If wet clean them off with some brake clean and dry them........next time your trying to start it do not pump the throttle......using two people .........try just dribbling a little fuel like a teaspoon full in via the carb throat while cranking over with the butterfly about 1/2 way open....if it runs till the fuel burns away then your carb is probably toast or the fuel supply is being interrupted.......If the plugs are still wet its getting to much fuel & there is a good chance the floats are stuck from junk in the old fuel lines.

If that does not work........let us know and will try another solution.

 

[tarry99]

Battery is hooked up correct. It is timed correctly. and I just went through the carb again. It is spraying gas, I did notice when i took the carb off that there was a small pool of gas sitting in the intake. but my spark plugs are dry. Does that narrow it down any? I hope so......... And thank you for the reply

Sorry I replied before I read this post............if its spraying gas then it might be getting fuel through the accelerator pump circuit only............again stuck floats or junk caught in that main jet system..........How about your carb gasket? Could have some vacuum leaks not allowing fuel to be drawn though the Main Jet system. Make sure there are no leaks and that all plugs in the base of the carb are either in or plugged off.

Try pouring a little fuel in while cranking!

 

[zanblackrain]

well i figured it out by accident....... Thank you all for answering. the choke butterfly was not letting enough air in for the gas to get sucked into the motor. I stuck a screwdriver in it while i was working on it and forgot it. then when i tryed to crank it the beast started. when i got out and saw the screw driver i knew what was up..... i am going to replace the electronic choke control and might as well rebuild the carb with new parts while i am at it. Thanks again for all the information. It was all good and helpfull. I will check on here everyday and try to help others and make some new friends at the same time. Hit me up.

 

[thescot]

If sticking a screw driver between the choke plate and side of carb allowed it to fire, then obviously its drowning in fuel or was flooded to the point of drowning the plugs. You may not need to rebuild the carb but simply adjust the choke.

 

[zanblackrain]

the choke being closed was not allowing enough air in so the motor could pull the fuel to the cylinders. So the fuel was just sitting in the intake. Once I opened the choke some it started right up. with it all the way closed it wouldnt even sputter. odd but it worked. I hope this info helps others as well

 

[tarry99]

the choke being closed was not allowing enough air in so the motor could pull the fuel to the cylinders. So the fuel was just sitting in the intake. Once I opened the choke some it started right up. with it all the way closed it wouldnt even sputter. odd but it worked. I hope this info helps others as well

Were glad you found a screwdriver stuck in your Carb that was closing off the choke blade and also the air to the motor............These of course are things that someone on the other end of a computer screen giving help could never imagine?

Not sure that info would be helpful to anyone else..........

 

[zanblackrain]

lol right....... mistakes are made but it is always good to share how you fixed it no matter how dumb it is rather than leave people guessing how you fixed it....

 

[Hedgehog]

Your "accident" is another mans learning experience.

 

[ThisGuyUKnow]

Well i was hoping this would shed some light on the issue I was having. I have a 360 that had a holley 4bb carb. It ran for a total of 3 minutes then sputtered out and had the exact same issue as you had. Fuel was getting sprayed by the carb, had spark, timing was set but would just crank and crank even with fuel poured into the carb. Never figured out why. I have have bad luck with carbs. I ended up givining up on it and accelerating my EFI project.