fuel not getting through the carb...

[edwardc]

It twists off, but requires some force. There's a nut-shaped protrusion on the bottom that's designed to take a socket wrench. The bottom is held on via a couple of pins that engage slots in the bottom and produce a "twist-lock" effect.

Put a container under it when you open it, or you'll end up with gasoline in the bilge.

Once open, there's a gasket, and a small plastic strainer that comes out. The bottom of the check-valve ball is then visible in the center and can be pressed with a fingertip. It is spring loaded, and should move smoothly and with very little finger pressure if operating correctly.

[sailhog]

Edward,
Thanks! Pulled it apart without any problem.... Turns out the fuel pump provides adequate pressure after all.

[sailhog]

Gentlemen,
The engine runneth....

The problem this time around was an obstruction in the exhaust, causing too much back pressure. After lurking through the archives, I found a post by Don in which he mentions that such an obstruction could cause the engine to fail to start. With the help of Captain Hanley and others, I established a good strong spark and compression. With new plugs, it made it all the more obvious that all the plugs were not (always) wet with fuel. What made the whole matter mysterious was that a couple of the plugs would be wet, but not the others. Also, the engine wouldn't start with ether, even though I had spark and compression.... It was as though the engine wasn't being allowed to get a lung full of fuel and air -- because it wasn't. At my wits end, I disconnected the hot section, pulled the choke closed, and she started right up. I dismantled the cold section of the exhaust system, and when I tried to blow through it, I couldn't. There was massive pile of water in there -- from my dumb-ass compression test, which I carried out with the raw water seacock open. I believe this led to the unusual circumstance of actually "obstructing" the exhaust with an unusual amount of water. It wasn't carbon, it wasn't rust.... just good ol' water.

Anyway, it's been a long haul. I've got more work to do.... but I want to thank you all for being at the ready. It's a good crew here....

[sastanley]

whoa...nice!!!

[roadnsky]

Congrats!
(Thanks for following up too)

[Mo]

Right on. Now you will remember the whole thing for some other member that has the misfortune to have to deal with it...and that's what this forum is all about.

Good job guys...another one up and running.

[sailhog]

One lesson of this whole ordeal: You need spark, compression, fuel.... and an unobstructed exhaust. Dry plugs aren't necessarily a result of carb or fuel pump issues.

[Administrator]

The highly prized "sticky" has been applied.

Great thread!

Bill

[chiron]

I've been following this ordeal since the beginning and am happy to see you have a working A4. But does this mean that no one gets to take your wife out? I don't remember anyone suggesting the exhaust.

Chad

[sastanley]

Chad, Now that is funny!!!!!

[sailhog]

More house keeping....

[ndutton]

Y'know Sailhog, there's a very good reason why our eyesight fails as we age.

but then again, as long as she brings her own beer . . . . .

[thatch]

"Perspective"

"The girls all get prettier at closing time"

[sastanley]

disclaimer - I love ALL women!!!

I hope I don't get in trouble for this one...if it is in poor taste, I'll delete post haste!

[ndutton]

Ah yes, beer.

Helping unattractive people procreate since the 1800's.