77 c-10 dying
 

Hey guys, my 77 Bonanza! c-10 350 has been dying. Recently I didn't drive it for about 2 weeks and the day I tried to start it, I tapped the pedal once as I always do, and it spun for a sec and turned over. I gave a little gas and it ran for about 2-3 seconds. I tried starting again (giving no gas) and it wouldn't turn over...tried this about 5 times. I went inside and came back out 5 minutes later and tried again. This time it spun for about 3-4 seconds and turned over with a vengence, only to cut right out. I repeated this (waiting 5 mintues and trying again) and it did the same everytime. Then finally I got a friend to watch the inline filter..It started right up and everything was fine..He said fuel burst through right when it started and was flowing fine. I drove the truck all day with no problems.

OK, so today I go out (it's in the low 40s today) and the same thing is going on. I mean the exact same thing! I can literally wait a few minutes and it will turn over and cut right out. The if I try again it will just try and try to no avail.

Any ideas? When it actually does start-up, it runs nice and smooth, so I don't think it's fire related..but who knows?

So I just tried again and it started up nicely and was running smooth for about 5+ seconds. I pumped the gas slightly and the motor revved up as normal. About 2 seconds later it died out. I tried recranking right then but it wouldn't turn over...

Lots of possibilities, but if it just dies out without missing or sputtering first, and then when it does restart, it starts right up without missing, I don't think it's fuel. My guess is either the module or the pickup coil. I usually try the module first, because the dist has to come out to change the pickup coil. Maybe someone can give you a better idea. Best of luck.

60-66 Nut

I agree that it might be the module or the coil but I seem to remember a buddy who had the same problem but it was n't either one of these. I will try to find out what it was and see if I still have his # anywhere.
-Later

Have you pulled the cap and checked to see if there might be a little condesation in it. check the timing when you get it running if it fluctuates it will be timning chain. your fuel pump could possibly going out slowly. how about your fuel filters are they old they could be clogging up thats a possibility. Do you have a electric choke or manual the choke could be not working.Are your plugs old what kind are you using you might need a hotter plug. you might also have condensation in the fuel making it not fire try some addivtive in the fuel. Those are just a few things off the top of my head you could try.

I just have the one filter that's and inline clear. It's not even a year old and looks good. Filter is right before the pump. I checked the carb (man. choke) and everything seemed to be moving properly. I had a problem last year with major surging at highway speed. It ended up being the ign. module (well, we changed the pump out with a new one and it still did it, checked all fuel lines, nada. Checked plugs..even replaced them while we were at it, fine. Finally changed module and it stopped surging).

But it has run fine since then (and before then) up until last week after a really cold night when it started doing this. I'll check for the condensation and also add some additive.

I'll post back tomorrow if anything comes up. Thanks for any more info.

if it started after it got really cold, I'm thinking something froze that shouldn't have or some water (namely antifreeze?) got somewhere it shouldn't be.

Well, since I'm in the middle of re-doing the oak trim in the house and some plumbing projects, I had to send it off to my local mechanic today...too much to do and no nice warm garage to work in. I checked under the cap and it looked dry and no dirt/corrosion. Checked grounds and they all seemed fine. Still started up on first try of the day, then died. Then would start every 5 minutes for a couple of secs. So I'll let those guys try to figure it out. I'll post back when I find out the prob. Thanks

Well, I got it back and it starts up great. My mech. said it was a carb prob. They took it off and cleaned everything good and it starts right up.