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RE: Car does not start

To: "'DLancer7676@cs.com'" <DLancer7676@cs.com>, "DE-BREBISSON,CYRILLE (HP-Boise,ex1)" <cyrille@hp.com>, kgb@frontiernet.net, spridgets@autox.team.net
Subject: RE: Car does not start
Date: Sat, 18 Oct 2003 12:20:30 -0400
Hello,
 
How can I check if I have sparks at each spark plug?
 
the I beleive that the distributor is OK as the engine runs find, when I can
start it....
 
regards, cyrille

-----Original Message-----
From DLancer7676 at cs.com [mailto:DLancer7676@cs.com] 
Sent: Saturday, October 18, 2003 5:30 AM
To: cyrille@hp.com; kgb@frontiernet.net; spridgets@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: Car does not start


In a message dated 10/17/03 2:39:40 PM Pacific Daylight Time, cyrille@hp.com
writes: 




I always start the car in neutral, but, in addition (I read that in my other

car's user's manual) if you depress the clutch, you reduce the amount of 
"crap" that the starter and the starting engine has to turn (ie: the main 
shaft in the gear box) and reduce the frictions, making it easier to 
start... 




Good advice, Cyrille, but that is not the reason the car isn't starting.  It
is either fuel, fire, or timing.  I am assuming the engine is turning over
when you turn the key.  You might start by pulling the gas line from the
carb, holding it in a can or jar and having someone turn on the starter till
the pump starts "clicking" .  You should get a stream of gasoline delivered
into the can or jar. Be careful--don't smoke or create a spark here for
obvious reasons.  Just a quick on for a moment then off is all it takes to
know whether fuel is being delivered to the carb or not.  New fuel filter?
Maybe clogged.  Can you smell gasoline in the carb throats and/or actually
hear or see it squirt when you pump the accelerator?   Sometimes the float
chambers get clogged up with gunk and rust.   

Check to see whether you are getting spark at each spark plug as the engine
rotates.  Is the main ground strap connected?  Trace the wires from the
distributor back to the coil and on back to the battery to be sure
everything is connected.  Move the #1 cylinder (front one) to TDC, or align
up the timing mark with the mark on the front pulley, then pop the
distributor cap to see whether the rotor is actually pointing to the wire
that feeds cylinder #1.  It's easy to get the distributor in backwards. 

--David C. 





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