CJ carb out of gas after it sits?

Usually that just means you have the gas filter in upside down...

The filter has 2 outlets, the center one goes to the carb and the top one goes to the return line. If the return line isn't at top, the gas will syphon back to the tank when it sits.

If not that, then a pinhole leak in the gas line can let air in when it sits. The line is suction, so a pinhole won't drip, you have to look for a gas stain on the line, usually near the end clamps on the frame.

Mike

Jeff Scherb wrote:

The two outlets of the gas filter are at the same level, so I'll adjust them as Mike says and see what happens after it sits for a few days. If it is still draining when I get back to it at the end of next week I'll change the fuel pump as bill says.

thanks!

Either the fuel pump works or your engine oil pan is full of gas.

Pull the dipstick and see if it is still oil in there.

If it is still draining, look for the leak in the line.

Mike

Jeff Scherb wrote:

Rotated the filter, but couldn't start it today.

Checked the oil, there's no gas in the oil pan. :-)

I pulled the fuel line before the filter on top of the engine and cranked it, no fuel came out.

Then pulled the fuel line right below the fuel pump right at the end of the metal line from the back of the vehicle. Some gas there, but when I pulled the hose a little, but not much drained out. Should it be draining freely when the hose is pulled, or does the pump suck it up from there?

Thanks, will do. Hopefully one of the parts places around here will have one.

You have to prime the carb to get the gas running again. The line has been air locked by the filter being in wrong.

Prime it, get it running, 'then' shut it off and see if it drains back.

It is already drained now. Playing with it is a waste of time and money until you test it after you have 'fixed' the problem like you did by moving the filter.

I for one have seen your problem 'tons' of times and not once has it been a bad fuel pump, not once.

Mike

Jeff Scherb wrote:

Turned out it was a bad fuel pump after all, but not the way you might think. It appears the plunger is jammed (or at least loose from the lever arm), because when I took it out and moved the lever manually, the plunger rod didn't move. Never saw or heard of this before.

New pump fxed it right up. Fuel filter is also now properly oriented as Mike says.

Side benefit is while I was in there I noticed a vacuum leak I hadn't caught before and this really smoothed the idle.

thanks, guys, for all the advice.

FWIW, My '76 alweays does this if it sits for more than 12 hours. I have to crank it for about 5 seconds, then it styarts & runs fine. I've always assumed fuel was venting from the bowl and evaporating. It did this with the original Carter 1bbl carb and old fuel pump, still does it with a Webber

Well after suffering this same problem and following this thread, I decided to go ahead and spend the $15.00 for a new fuel pump. Well it fixed my problem. I can let the Jeep sit for two days now and it cranks on the first bump of the key. Before the new pump, after sitting for a day or more, I would have to crank on the damn thing for 20-30 seconds.