No gas up to carbs. No fire in the hole.

[SUPERSTOCKRACER]

I let my A12 Superbee sit for 2 years without starting it up.
No gas in tank,so I put in 5 fresh gllons of premium in the tank and just poured some down center carb to get it fired. started up then died. Tried this 5 times with same results.
My other A12 sat for 5 yers and it starts right up with a little gas down carb.
Do you think fuel pump went bad or fuel pump pushrod mushroomed?
Any suggestions?

 

[AMX364]

I had the fuel inlet valve gum up before. Unlikely on all three, maybe just the center carb?

 

[Photon440]

X2. Easy enough to pull the needle and check the seat.

 

[khryslerkid]

Yep, I've just tapped on top of the carb before, to un-stick the needle and float...

 

[Meep-Meep]

I'd pull the fuel line and check for delivery.

 

[SUPERSTOCKRACER]

I'd pull the fuel line and check for delivery.

And if no fuel comes up, what would you do next?
Could the fuel pump be the cause,and are they rebuildable?

 

[Meep-Meep]

Sure. Or as mentioned, the push rod is worn and not giving full stroke. Chances are if the pump isn't pumping a valve in the pump might not be seating. If you have the Carter pump that has screws holding it together, a diaphragm kit is available.

 

[miller]

Got access to a air compressor?
If you do...something I used to do is, with the fuel line loose at the pump, pull the tank cap. Use a rag wrapped around a air nozzle, and easily...put some air pressure in the tank. The idea is to force fuel through the fuel line, up to the pump.

If no fuel, better look at your fuel sending unit. Could be a rusted hulk. If you do get fuel, tighten the line at the pump, and try it then. If your fuel line is dry, the pump has nothing to pick up.

 

[coloradodave]

All good suggestions. Another place to look is the rubber fuel hoses at the tank to hard line and hard line to fuel pump. The traditional rubber hose gets old and can suck air without leaking fuel. Pretty common problem. Solution is to replace them with current rubber fuel injection compatible hose. NAPA has it. Good luck finding the problem.

 

[SUPERSTOCKRACER]

Well, I did everything as suggested.
Air compressored up the tank with rag and loosened line at inlet of fuel pump, fuel rips out. then I tightened up fitting put more air in tank,no fuel.
tightened everything up and loosened inlet to carb, no fuel.
pulled pushrod out, its new and not mushroomed or worn. So, I guess it's the fuel pump. my guess the checkball might be gummed up.
I took carter pump apart and it looks like new inside. it's the 3 piece hemi unit. took top 2 pieces apart but lower inlet bottom section doesn't separate. sandwiched between a gasket.

 

[khryslerkid]

Did you crank the engine with the carb inlet disconnected? Or were you trying to get fuel thru with compressed air?

 

[sleepar]

I would take the fuel line off the pump from the tank and lowering it to the ground should be enough to start a siphon... with a full tank. You have to have fuel above the fuel line at all times and above that level to prime the system and no air.... I use a primer for an outboard to prime my system... I never pour anything in the carb... I prime the fuel filter and the carbs and then the only air is what is in the pump... some of the fuel will run back into the pump from the carbs and it always works.... I would use a squirt bottle before I poured any fuel... a spray at least doesn't completely wash the rings of oil.... and dilute the oil.... the primer doesn't burst into flames as easy either...

 

[miller]

Sure. Or as mentioned, the push rod is worn and not giving full stroke. Chances are if the pump isn't pumping a valve in the pump might not be seating. If you have the Carter pump that has screws holding it together, a diaphragm kit is available.

Sure sounds like your fuel pump is the problem. Diaphragm is probably bad.
Anyway...that's where I'd look. Even a pinhole make a diaphragm junk.

 

[sleepar]

Never trust a suspected pump they can fill you're crank case quick if they go....

 

[SUPERSTOCKRACER]

I would take the fuel line off the pump from the tank and lowering it to the ground should be enough to start a siphon... with a full tank. You have to have fuel above the fuel line at all times and above that level to prime the system and no air.... I use a primer for an outboard to prime my system... I never pour anything in the carb... I prime the fuel filter and the carbs and then the only air is what is in the pump... some of the fuel will run back into the pump from the carbs and it always works.... I would use a squirt bottle before I poured any fuel... a spray at least doesn't completely wash the rings of oil.... and dilute the oil.... the primer doesn't burst into flames as easy either...

I have 5 gallons in there now, going to put 5 gallons more in tomorrow and try 1 more time before my new fuel pump arrive. Maybe it's something this simple.
This car has been trouble free and it's a fresh rebuild with all new parts. I still cant believe the fuel pump is bad on this thing.
I really don't want to have to drop the tank and check the sending unit.

 

[miller]

I really don't want to have to drop the tank and check the sending unit.

You already know fuel is getting to the pump...sending unit should be fine.

 

[nm9stheham]

Your test of the tank line ot the pump shows it is not the tank. And be careful with pressure in tanks; that is a great way to balloon out and ruin your tank.

You can't count on the fuel pump to pass air from the tank when it is not running. To test the pump, you need to disconnect the pump's outlet line somewhere and place it into a container. Then crank the engine with the spark wire diconnected from the distributor center tower, and see how much will pump out in a short time. For your car, it ought to pump at least a pint in 10-15 seconds.

 

[SUPERSTOCKRACER]

Your test of the tank line ot the pump shows it is not the tank. And be careful with pressure in tanks; that is a great way to balloon out and ruin your tank.

You can't count on the fuel pump to pass air from the tank when it is not running. To test the pump, you need to disconnect the pump's outlet line somewhere and place it into a container. Then crank the engine with the spark wire diconnected from the distributor center tower, and see how much will pump out in a short time. For your car, it ought to pump at least a pint in 10-15 seconds.

I can't get a drop out of it cranking the car over. Pushrod is the correct length, no mushrooming or wear on it either.

- - - Updated - - -

this is the car I am working on. It's perfect in every way except this problem. A real M code A12 Superbee.

 

[Gpuller]

I tried to rebuild my Carter pump. Got a kit from Mancini, only place I could find one. Diaphragm was the wrong diameter. Called Mancini and got the "Never had that problem before" story. Returned the rebuild kit and got a new M6903 pump.

 

[coloradodave]

I tried to rebuild my Carter pump. Got a kit from Mancini, only place I could find one. Diaphragm was the wrong diameter. Called Mancini and got the "Never had that problem before" story. Returned the rebuild kit and got a new M6903 pump.

That's funny...I got the same kit with the wrong diaphragm and was told the same thing. I drew a diagram of the original and the one they sent and emailed it to them. This was almost 2 years ago. I ended up buying a new pump as well. I guess they sell more new pumps that way...lol