11 replies to this topic

[PeteD]

Hi all.

 

I've recently for the engine back in my 1992 Sprite, the engine had been sitting for 15 years, dry in a garage, and now I'm at the stage of trying to get her fired up.

 

at the moment its a bit of a 'hot wire' job as there is no wiring in the car at all, however I can get her to fire into life momentarily spraying some break cleaner into the carb, but no dice just on fuel!

 

I have removed the fuel in and can confirm the mechanical pump is pumping fuel in, but a but unsure where to go from here to fault fund the issue.

 

Any help would be great thanks.

 

 

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[ACDodd]

If that’s the installation I can see a bolt missing and gaps between the carb and the manifold, that would be a massive air leak.

Ac

[PeteD]

Ha, you know what, you are correct, there is only the 2 opposing bolts holding it on, that must have been from when I got it as I've never separated the 2!

 

Will see if I have some bolts to rectify that thanks.

[KTS]

also worth connecting (..or at least blocking off..) the crank case ventilation port (the pipe to the right of the fuel vent/overflow) as that will be another air leak into the manifold

[Designer]

Hi,

 

Also make sure you have fresh fuel. 

It might be worthwhile just using a temporary small fuel tank ( any suitable container) connected direct to the fuel pump with fresh fuel in.

 

Paddy

[PeteD]

Thanks, all good stuff.

Fuel is fresh, will get that vent port blocked off. It’s a weird one as it originally had carbon canister that were rolled out on the SPIs but not planning on putting that back. Joys of being last of the carb, there seems to be bits they added that were required for the SPI.

[mab01uk]

If the engine had been sitting for 15 years you might want to get oil pressure up before starting it.

 

Regaining Oil Pressure After Long-Term "Mini" Storage:-
https://www.7ent.com...ni-storage.html

Edited by mab01uk, 07 May 2025 - 06:21 PM.

[PeteD]

Haha.
Yeah engine has had a full service, pump primed and getting pressure.

Cheers

[PeteD]

Saw on another forum someone having issues with the float in the bowl being stuck, may whip the carb off and give it a clean inside, see if this helps.

Question on testing this theory before stripping it all down, if I remove the top of the carb so the needle is out and turn the engine over, should I see fuel come out of the jet?

[68+86auto]

Saw on another forum someone having issues with the float in the bowl being stuck, may whip the carb off and give it a clean inside, see if this helps.

Question on testing this theory before stripping it all down, if I remove the top of the carb so the needle is out and turn the engine over, should I see fuel come out of the jet?

You have so many other issues to sort out first.

[Lplus]

Saw on another forum someone having issues with the float in the bowl being stuck, may whip the carb off and give it a clean inside, see if this helps.

Question on testing this theory before stripping it all down, if I remove the top of the carb so the needle is out and turn the engine over, should I see fuel come out of the jet?

No, the fuel level should be maintained below the top of the jet by the float valve.  If the fuel level is correct you might see fuel someway down the jet.  If fuel does run out then the float valve is stuck open.

[PeteD]

So, the issue appears to be resolved.

 

Please don't chew me out here, as I'm not 100% sure what 'fixed' the issue.

 

Was definitely a fuelling issue, took the carb off, gave it a good clean and put it back on, I also replaced the short lengths if fuel pipe so I could see if there was fuel. Noticed as I was turning it over there was a lot of air in the fuel and not that good a flow reaching up to the carb, I removed the pipe pre-pump and blew down it to make sure there wasn't a blockage, all fine there, I then had the [stupid?] idea to blow down the float chamber overflow/breather while the top of the carb was off and got a shot of fuel out of the jet.

 

Originally, this sprite was fitted with a charcoal filter that then went to a return pipe to the tank. I've hooked up a pipe from the overflow to the return, and now its running! 

 

Not sure if I need to keep this pipe connected or if if its just helped remove an airlock, will test removing it and see if she still runs another day, poor starter has had a grilling today.

 

Hopefully, that's the 'engine running' issue ticked off and its on to the next problem!

 

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