Truck won’t turn. What’s that sound?

[73_Stepside]

Will the motor turn over?
Will it fire on starting fluid?

If not, I would not fill the float bowl with gas.

It won’t turn over. I was going through one of the recommended comments. But they also said that they think I didn’t spray enough starter fluid

 

[Edelbrock]

It might be a terminology issue. I went back and read through the previous comments.

If an engine wont turn over, then the crankshaft will not turn. For example, the starter doesn't work, the battery is dead or the engine is seized.

In your video, the engine turns over just fine.

The engine also fires. Which is a good sign.

I think what you mean, is that the engine wont start.


So try this: Pour 1/2 shot glass worth of gasoline strait down the carb, leave the choke open, floor the throttle and crank for 5 seconds.

I'm betting that it will start and run for at least a few seconds. When it does start, let up on the throttle a bit so that you don't reline it.

If that doesn't do anything try 1 shot glass worth of fuel with the choke open and the throttle closed and crank for 5 seconds.

 

[73_Stepside]

So I think it might be the fuel pump, not pumping fuel. The truck starts for a second or 2, then cuts out. So fuel pump is my project this week. I appreciate you guys.

 

[Edelbrock]

So I think it might be the fuel pump, not pumping fuel. The truck starts for a second or 2, then cuts out. So fuel pump is my project this week. I appreciate you guys.

I would test the pump before replacing it.

This could be done by:

Make sure there is fuel in the tank, regardless of what the fuel gauge says. (just add 5 gallons to be sure).
Remove the fuel hose from the carb, and put that hose in a bucket. Then spray a 3 second shot of starting fluid into the carb. Have someone start the engine, and as soon as it starts, spray a light stream of starting fluid directly into the carb. This will get it running and keep it running, which will run the fuel pump much faster than what the starter motor can do. After 10 seconds, if there is no fuel coming out of the hose into the bucket, then the fuel pump might be bad. Or it could be a leak in the fuel line between the pump and the tank.

Keep in mind that spraying starting fluid into the carb while its running requires that you keep your face away from the carb, have a fire extinguisher handy, and preferably do this outside - not in a garage. If it pops back through the carb, there will be a brief "whoosh" of fire, but it will be done and over with very quickly, and generally doesn't cause any problems or damage. Just remember, if you like your eyebrows, keep them away from the carb when using starting fluid.

 

[73_Stepside]

I would test the pump before replacing it.

This could be done by:

Make sure there is fuel in the tank, regardless of what the fuel gauge says. (just add 5 gallons to be sure).
Remove the fuel hose from the carb, and put that hose in a bucket. Then spray a 3 second shot of starting fluid into the carb. Have someone start the engine, and as soon as it starts, spray a light stream of starting fluid directly into the carb. This will get it running and keep it running, which will run the fuel pump much faster than what the starter motor can do. After 10 seconds, if there is no fuel coming out of the hose into the buckety, then the fuel pump might be bad. Or it could be a leak in the fuel line between the pump and the tank.

Keep in mind that spraying starting fluid into the carb while its running requires that you keep your face away from the carb, have a fire extinguisher handy, and preferably do this outside - not in a garage. If it pops back through the carb, there will be a brief "whoosh" of fire, but it will be done and over with very quickly, and generally doesn't cause any problems or damage. Just rememebr, if you like your eyebrows, keep them away from the carb when using starting fluid.

lol I never thought about my eyebrows till now. Maybe a dumb question, but wouldn’t changing a $30 part be easier/safer than needing to have a fire extinguisher on hand? Serious question! I was looking into troubleshooting the pump, but it seemed like more work and kinda extreme. I know there’s fuel in the tank and the last time it was running the engine sounded like it was running out of gas when I know the tank had fuel. What do you think?

 

[Edelbrock]

lol I never thought about my eyebrows till now. Maybe a dumb question, but wouldn’t changing a $30 part be easier/safer than needing to have a fire extinguisher on hand? Serious question! I was looking into troubleshooting the pump, but it seemed like more work and kinda extreme. I know there’s fuel in the tank and the last time it was running the engine sounded like it was running out of gas when I know the tank had fuel. What do you think?

Well, changing the pump without diagnosing it could solve the problem, but it could cause more problems.

For example:

Your pump is OK.
Your carb inlet screen is plugged.

You change the pump, and the new pump is defective or you forget the push rod.
You replace the carb. Problem remains.

How long will it take for you to get back to the fuel pump?

You would assume that the pump is 100% OK, complicating the repair.


A lack of fuel issue is generally considered to be a "good problem to have". Its relatively easy to diagnose, simple to repair and generally costs very little. Everyone has a different way of doing it, and other people will have different ideas about it. All you can do is read through all the repair suggestions and choose for yourself.

 

[73_Stepside]

Well, changing the pump without diagnosing it could solve the problem, but it could cause more problems.

For example:

Your pump is OK.
Your carb inlet screen is plugged.

You change the pump, and the new pump is defective or you forget the push rod.
You replace the carb. Problem remains.

How long will it take for you to get back to the fuel pump?

You would assume that the pump is 100% OK, complicating the repair.


A lack of fuel issue is generally considered to be a "good problem to have". It’s reflexively easy to diagnose, simple to repair and generally costs very little. Everyone has a different way of doing it, and other people will have different ideas about it. All you can do is read trough all the repairs suggestions and choose for yourself.

That makes sense. Thanks. I will try to check the pump this week

 

[Ricko1966]

That makes sense. Thanks. I will try to check the pump this week

Checking the pump that way sounds like a good way to burn your truck up.So it backfires and lights off the either,and the fuel dribbling out of the hose,and the fuel in the bucket. Usually when a tanks been run out of gas everything from the tank to the pump is dry and pumps don't Pull well especially when they have to pull air before than can pull fuel. Most times you will have to prime the carb several times with gas before it will run on its own. Hold the throttle open with one hand pour an ounce of gasoline down the carb throat,get in and start it,do it again 3 or 4 times,if it doesn’t start and run after that. Pull the hose off the fuel line at the carbureator get a longer hose if you need to so you can put the end of the hose in an empty 20 oz pop bottle. Crank the engine over in 15 second bursts do it 3 or 4 times. Do you get fuel? Yes? Then the problem is at the carbureator. No? Pull the inlet hose off the pump put a longer hose on it put the other end in a mower can of gas,repeat the test. Do you get fuel now? Then the pump is good and we need to trouble shoot from the fuel pump sock to the pump inlet. I'll check back to see what you find. If you dribble gas when you are dumping it down the throat,and it back fires that fuel will light off have a clean rag ready to snuff it out.

 

[83Stepper]

Easy way to test it is do you get a fuel smell when cranking the engine and pumping the gas pedal? If you don't, go and grab a jug/container that's clear so you can see the fuel level in it and fill it about half full or so. Run a hose from the tank side of the fuel pump to that jug/container and crank the engine. If the fuel level goes down, fuel pump is good. With the air cleaner off, and key off, move the throttle and see if fuel sprays into the carb. If fuel sprays into the carb and fuel goes down in the container, it's good. But ff the fuel level doesn't go down or there is no spray from the jets in the carb, could be a bad fuel pump, or clogged filter/inlet screen at the carb.