electrical and ignition Trying To Start Ms. Malaga (Again)

[tedward22]

Hello,

 

My '73 has been sitting for several months due to a front brake job that is complete.  Now the car won't start. 

 

I had this problem when I bought the car and after getting it started (with help) for the first time in years the car would regularly start with the help of starter fluid.  If the car had been sitting for only a few hours/overnight the car would start without starter fluid.      

 

Now the car will start for a split second with starter fluid, but cut off very quickly.  The fuel filter is dry and not getting any fuel.  I have pumped the gas with the car in the "on" position, but still nothing in the fuel filter.   

 

My questions are: 

 

Should/can I put gas strait into the carburetor? 

How should I diagnose the problem?  What are the possible causes.   

 

Thank you in advance! 

 

Ed

 

 

[GoFaSSter]

Sounds like bad fuel lines.  They were questionable before and now they leak so much it can't pull fuel.

[roadhog0]

Sounds like not pulling fuel. Either bad rubber lines as mentioned above, bad pump, or sticky carb. 

[Mike Self]

What kind of carb do you have:  Weber 32/36 or the original Solex 2 bbl?  

 

If the Weber, they seem to go dry much faster than the Solex--mine can sit for less than a week and float chamber is nearly dry.  With a plastic squirt bottle full of gas or a very small funnel you can fill the Weber's float chamber via the air vent in the carb throat.  Look for the accelerator pump nozzle in the carb throat; next to it you'll see a small rectangular opening.  That's the float chamber vent.  Pour or squirt a couple of tablespoons of gas down the opening to fill the float chamber, pump the accelerator pedal to set the choke (if automatic) and to get gas in the accelerator pump circuit (pull the choke knob if manual choke) and hit the starter.  Should start right up.

 

If it does, runs for 10-15 seconds then quits, try this:  disconnect the fuel line either at the (mechanical) fuel pump outlet or the carb inlet, place a jar to catch the gas and hit the starter.  If no gas comes out, then either the pump isn't working or you have an air leak somewhere between the gas tank and fuel pump.  Mechanical pumps won't move gas if they can suck air.  If you still have sections of the original cloth covered fuel line, it's probably the culprit; it can crack and leak air (but not fuel) and the cracks are hidden by the cloth cover.  Rubber fuel lines connect pump to carb, pump to filter, filter to plastic line at the firewall and plastic fuel line to pickup tube at the gas tank.  This last one is often overlooked and can be the culprit.  

 

Let us know whatcha find

 

mike

[tedward22]

Mike, It has a Weber 32/36.  I will try to float the bowl tonight or this weekend and let you know.  Thanks for the help!

 

Ed

[tedward22]

 

Thought this was the vent, but now thinking I am looking in wrong area.  Is the float vent vissible looking down the throat of the carb?

 

Thanks.

 

Ed

Edited January 12, 2014 by tedward22

['76mintgrün'02]

(I would reread what Mike described above about vent location).  

 

I do not see a wire coming off your idle solenoid, which would keep it from running.

 

 https://www.google.com/search?q=bmw+2002+idle+solenoid&rlz=1C1LEND_enUS564US564&oq=bmw+2002+idle+solenoid&aqs=chrome..69i57.11371j0j7&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8#es_sm=93&espv=210&q=weber+32+36+dgav+idle+solenoid

 

whoops! the photo disappeared? 

[tedward22]

Hi,

 

With the help of my dad (in town for my kid's birthday) we diagnosed and solved the starting issue and Ms. Malaga starts.

 

First we checked the fuel pump which seemed to be in working order.  We blew air through the fuel line.  No gunk came out.  Then we then charged the battery fully and cranked the car for about 30 seconds.  After 30 seconds fuel was being pulled through the filter and to the carb.  We cranked it again and it started in about 15 more seconds.  

 

What I learned (beginner here).  I would crank and pump for short bursts of 5-10 seconds.  I never gave the fuel pump time to do its job. So next time just keep cranking!  30 seconds at least and a few times if needed.  Hopefully this helps another beginner. 

 

Ed