Carburetor Blues

[ejay]

My theory is that even with the water intake shut off, over cranking the engine can create a siphon effect if there is enough water in the muffler, due to the absence of any elevated loop in the exhaust piping of the cat 30. Is that plausible?

[Dave Neptune]

Ejay, I don't see how cranking would create a syphon as cranking would be pumping air into the system creating pressure.

Check the plugs for moisture as it is something you suspect. Moisture can also encroach through a breach in the manifold, the head gasket or even a from a pinhole from a cylinder rusting through. Before searching you need to confirm if water is indeed encroaching the cylinder(s). Just look at the plugs after a bit of cranking, it is that simple.

Are you sure you did not move the plug wires since it last ran? A common mistake.

Did you try starting fluid? And are you sure you have spark to the plugs?

Dave Neptune

[ejay]

I ordered new plugs and I will pick up some starter fluid as well. I carefully labeled the plug wires and there is a new coil in place with good spark. I will try these new maneuvers this weekend.

[ejay]

When the definitive history of the atomic 4 is written, my name will be listed as the stupidest owner ever. I was able to get the engine running with new plugs this weekend, and my conclusion was that I had a massive water incursion that required a lot of work to dry out. The carburetor was never the problem.

The stupid part is that I put the motor at increased risk for the incursion through a certain plumbing modification, that at the time seemed like brilliance, but in retrospect, was just plain idiocy.

I am now something of a carburetor and fuel line expert, thanks to the education I received from the A fourians on this site. I really appreciate the private tutoring from Dave Neptune.

[TimBSmith]

Private tutoring...

The moment Dave Neptune offers you his number is the moment thread should pause until a bracketed resolution is posted. Dude is iconic here.

[ejay]

Final Update

I cleaned the carb this past weekend and I was able to clear a blockage in the idle jet with a bristle. The carb worked wonderfully and I have no problems with idle now! No more stalling at inopportune moments either.

Thanks so much for all the help!

[capnward]

Years back I had the same experience, no idle. The idle jet was partially blocked. Couldn't see it until I removed the idle jet and held it up to the light. Ran a bristle around in it. Blowing carb cleaner through it didn't work. A carb cleaning is incomplete without that procedure, IMO. Glad you could clear up what is a common problem.