Frustrated

[CJLHUMMER2]

I have sparks at the plugs, compression in the cylinders, and gas at the carb. The gas drips out when I try to start engine. When I spray a little starter fluid in the carb I get an attempt at the engine almost trying to start. Other than that I just get a strong starter turning. Someone please help!!!

[roadnsky]

Is your choke FULLY closed when you get the fuel leaking out?
I assume the fuel is coming from the THROAT of the carb (see pic) and not from somewhere else?
Take off the Flame Arrestor and check that it's completely closing. (The choke)
It certainly sounds like a carb issue...

[CJLHUMMER2]

Yes the choke is closed all the way

I replaced the carb two seasons ago, and only used it for one. Last season I had the engine over hauled and winterized. That is how it sat for about a year.

I opened up the carb. It looks pretty good. I guess I could give it a good cleaning.

I thought about putting some high octane boost in the gas?? Would this hurt the engine?

[CalebD]

How old is the gas in your tank?

[joec43]

I had just replaced the distributor cap and put it on reversed. Yes you can do that.
It refused to start until I turned the cap around.

I had spark, fuel, good battery, starter, etc. Absolutely nothing until the cap was reversed.

Good luck, you'll find it I'm sure.

Joe

[CJLHUMMER2]

Originally Posted by CalebD

How old is the gas in your tank?

Its about a year old with stabilizer in it

[CJLHUMMER2]

Originally Posted by joec43

I had just replaced the distributor cap and put it on reversed. Yes you can do that.
It refused to start until I turned the cap around.

I had spark, fuel, good battery, starter, etc. Absolutely nothing until the cap was reversed.

Good luck, you'll find it I'm sure.

Joe

I wish it were something like that. It was running good, then winterized, and has just been sitting. The last hands to touch the engine were a mechanics. I called him to come look at it. He only works on boats that are stored in his yard... The story goes on and on but I wont boar you with all my A4/sailboat misfortunes.

[67c&ccorv]

Originally Posted by roadnsky

Is your choke FULLY closed when you get the fuel leaking out?
I assume the fuel is coming from the THROAT of the carb (see pic) and not from somewhere else?
Take off the Flame Arrestor and check that it's completely closing. (The choke)
It certainly sounds like a carb issue...

JTBS the pic roadnsky has provided shows the choke in the fully open position - you would want to have it in the closed position to start your motor unless the motor is "flooded" (with gas that is).

[roadnsky]

Originally Posted by 67c&ccorv

JTBS the pic roadnsky has provided shows the choke in the fully open position - you would want to have it in the closed position to start your motor unless the motor is "flooded" (with gas that is).

Sorry, I couldn't find a pic showing it closed.

CJLHUMMER2-
Where is the gas dripping from?

[MikeB.330]

Is fuel dripping from the carb when the engine is at rest or does fuel only drip from the throat after you crank the engine trying to start it?

If fuel is dripping when the engine is at rest, the float valve is sticking open or has some junk on it. If so, take apart the carb and give it a good cleaning.

Take a sample of your fuel and let it settle for an hour to see what it's really made of. Gas or water.

you do have the water intake turned off while you're cranking the engine, right?

[sastanley]

There seems to be a common theme here on this site:

"the last person to touch it was a mechanic" - I am not so sure I would let anyone not in the 'good guys list' to touch my A-4.

Maybe not the best time for this comment..

[HarryB]

I had a similar problem and it was caused by the float height setting in the carb being incorrect .