Hey guys,

It appears that I have caused her some grief, because she doesn't feel like firing up for me lately.

I degreased some stuff in the engine bay the other day, i.e. the outside of the carb. I took the air cleaner off, and was sure to stuff some rags down inside the carb, so nothing would get in.

I generously sprayed the degreaser all over, and brushed on some stuff. After I let it sit a while I hosed off the outside of the carb, with a very slow trickle of water mind you.

I used the air compressor to blow out the majority of the excess water that was in the engine bay. I did notice some water standing between the carburetor and the engine, seemed like it was collecting there. I blew out as much as I could and decided to let it air dry.

Came back a couple of hours later to see if she would fire up. I oiled all of the linkages, and cables and moving parts on the carb. I noticed that she was pretty far down on empty as well, but I figured she has enough gas to idle for a few minutes.

Got in, cranked her over a couple times, she sputtered and coughed some deep gray smoke, and started for about 5 seconds. I tapped the gas with my foot and she died. Tried to start her back up, but only got a couple of sputters. That's the last I heard out of her.

I figured, okay, she's out of gas, must've had less than I thought. Got the can and put some gas in her. She still won't start!

Have I gotten water somewhere that is going to cause me some problems??

I wonder if I might've messed up some electrical stuff, but for the most part I managed to stay away from it, so I don't think I've got water in any electrical components.

I hope that I haven't sucked water into the carb, or the engine or something, by trying to start it when it might still be wet....

Do any of you veterans have any suggestions, of what I might've gotten wet that is causing her to not start??

Help is greatly appreciated...

 

I also wonder if my fuel pump isn't functioning right. I unhooked the main wiring harness on the passenger side. Is it possible that i got water in that and my fuel pump isn't getting any electricity at all, therefore not giving gas to the carb?

It just makes me think that I'm not getting any gas because I only ran it for about 2-3 secs and after that it won't even fire. I think it burnt up the gas that was in the carb, and now it won't run because it's not getting any more.

Where would the water have gone that would've caused something like this to happen? Or is there a fuse for the fuel pump that I might've taken out by mistake???

 

well hate to say it but, did you pull the rags back out? if so pour a little gas straight into the carb and see if it turns over. That will tell you if your having a fuel delivery problem. Dont go right out and buy a fuel pump. Trouble shoot first. The fuel pump in the 7 in controlled by many things and a loose conection can really be a head ache.

 

I've fixed it. Tested a few things and found out that I wasn't getting any fuel. Turns out I missed a few electrical connectors. :-)

All is well. I knew it was something stupid that I did.

She has always run like a champ, i knew it would take more than that to knock her out of commission.

After I got her started up I took her out, and beat the carbon out for a while.

Good to be back at it. :-)