Starting problem - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72gmcshorty · 11-01-2003, 02:21 PM

After my truck has been sitting for a few days it takes forever to fire up. I have to keep it cranking over for about 30 seconds before it starts up. Why does it do this?

lukecp · 11-01-2003, 02:44 PM

Proably a carb/choke/fuel delivery problem. See if you have gas next time you go to start it....push down the accelerator pump on the carb. You will hear it squirt gas into the engine if you have fuel.

Leinie · 11-01-2003, 05:14 PM

sounds like your float bowl is leaking and it just takes a bit for the fuel pump to get it refilled and get fuel into the motor.
The fuel that leaks into the manifold just evaporates while it's sitting there.

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 11-01-2003, 08:58 PM

You are pumping the gas pedal, aren't you?

72gmcshorty · 11-02-2003, 04:02 AM

Yes, i pump the pedal once or twice but no help. I dont want to flood the thing. Should i be pumping the gas constantly while I'm cranking?

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 11-02-2003, 04:06 AM

Try to slowly increase the number of pumps like from 3 to 4, 4 to 5. etc. and see if that might help. Also how new is your fuel pump? It could be letting the fuel drain back and cause the problem.

Blue Beard · 11-02-2003, 04:57 AM

Check where the fuel filter is located.....

I've seen some that when sitting allows all the gas to empty back out.....

71GMC_3/4T · 11-02-2003, 11:45 AM

The Q-jets had a tendency to leak from some plugs that are pressed or swaged into the bottom. I had a '75 chevy that had this problem. The "fix" was a piece of neoprene, about 3/8 thick and roughly shaped like a trapezoid. It was available from a parts house at the time. Never had a problem after that. I think you had to remove the throttle plate from the bottom to install it though.

After your truck sits for a few days, take off the air cleaner cover and jack the throttle a few times. If there isn't any fuel squirting out of the jets, your gas drained out of your carb a few days ago. If you want to cut the cranking time down, try pumping while you are cranking it. I doubt you will flood it since you ain't got any fuel to flood it with... Once it starts, quit pumping or you probably will flood it.

Broken_down? · 11-02-2003, 03:17 PM

here is my 2 cents:

My truck in the morning is ok to start but if the weather gets cold real quick over night.. well pumping the pedal is mandatory. fire no fire, fire no, fires till it starts a few mins later. My truck is just not a cold weather baby. So I suggest you pump that pedal probally a good 8 to 10 times. prior to starting it. and when it fires hold the pedal to the floor. repeat as nessary. And this is just my opinion if it fires to start and just statrs to turn over without fireing stop and pump the pedal somemore.

my 2 cents

--broken_down?

11-01-2003, 02:21 PM	#1
72gmcshorty Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: North Delta, British Columbia Posts: 1,344	Starting problem After my truck has been sitting for a few days it takes forever to fire up. I have to keep it cranking over for about 30 seconds before it starts up. Why does it do this? __________________ 1992 Gmc 2wd 1972 Chevy Blazer 2wd

11-01-2003, 02:44 PM	#2
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	Proably a carb/choke/fuel delivery problem. See if you have gas next time you go to start it....push down the accelerator pump on the carb. You will hear it squirt gas into the engine if you have fuel. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

11-01-2003, 08:58 PM	#4
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	You are pumping the gas pedal, aren't you? __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA

11-02-2003, 04:02 AM	#5
72gmcshorty Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: North Delta, British Columbia Posts: 1,344	Yes, i pump the pedal once or twice but no help. I dont want to flood the thing. Should i be pumping the gas constantly while I'm cranking? __________________ 1992 Gmc 2wd 1972 Chevy Blazer 2wd

11-02-2003, 04:06 AM	#6
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	Try to slowly increase the number of pumps like from 3 to 4, 4 to 5. etc. and see if that might help. Also how new is your fuel pump? It could be letting the fuel drain back and cause the problem. __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA

11-01-2003, 05:14 PM	#3
Leinie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: USA Posts: 2,613	sounds like your float bowl is leaking and it just takes a bit for the fuel pump to get it refilled and get fuel into the motor. The fuel that leaks into the manifold just evaporates while it's sitting there.

11-02-2003, 04:57 AM	#7
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,834	Check where the fuel filter is located..... I've seen some that when sitting allows all the gas to empty back out..... __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

11-02-2003, 11:45 AM	#8
71GMC_3/4T Weapons Of Construction Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 1,095	The Q-jets had a tendency to leak from some plugs that are pressed or swaged into the bottom. I had a '75 chevy that had this problem. The "fix" was a piece of neoprene, about 3/8 thick and roughly shaped like a trapezoid. It was available from a parts house at the time. Never had a problem after that. I think you had to remove the throttle plate from the bottom to install it though. After your truck sits for a few days, take off the air cleaner cover and jack the throttle a few times. If there isn't any fuel squirting out of the jets, your gas drained out of your carb a few days ago. If you want to cut the cranking time down, try pumping while you are cranking it. I doubt you will flood it since you ain't got any fuel to flood it with... Once it starts, quit pumping or you probably will flood it. __________________ 1971 GMC 2500, 402/TH400 4.10 Daily Driver Lafayette, CO



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