I took my z to a transmission shop last fall to get the clutch replaced (Sept 2006I. It started when I took it in. When I picked it up this spring, it wouldn't start. If you sprayed ether directly into the front carb, it would run as long as you sprayed ether into it, then die.

- so far I have drained the fuel out and replaced with fresh fuel.

- Sprayed a ton of carb cleaner into it.

- replaced the fuel filter

- pulled off the fuel hose at the carb and checked to see if fuel was coming through, there is. I got an inch of fuel in the bottom of a cup after turning over a few times.

- adjusted the points. They weren't closed but were very narrow. It is now set at about .019" as per the manual I have.

- I took out the spark plug closest to the engine. It is black, but not wet. Thre is a slight smell of gas around the threads of the sparkplug but nothing on the electrode. the gap seems ok and its not overly corroded.

I did stick a screwdriver in one of the carbs and sprayed a bunch of carb cleaner into it and it sputtered a bit more than if I didnt have the screw driver in and just used ether.

what next????

help?

Originally Posted by 1972zed View Post

...snip...

- I took out the spark plug closest to the engine. ...snip

(meant to say took the spark plug out closest to the firewall)

ok, I took both front and rear banjo bolts out and cleaned the sceen filters with carb cleaner. Cleaned the bolts too and sprayed carb cleaner in the holes.

- I then put it all back together no luck. Did not have the rear (closest to firewall) banjo bolt tight enuogh and had fuel leaking out. Took it off, and retightened it and no fuel seaping out. At least I know fuel is making it that far.

I then just for kicks took the bolt out of the front of the front float chamber.

I had a cup under the hole because I expected fuel to come gushing out. it did not. I sprayed some carb cleaner in and heard a hollow sound.

I then opened the rear float chamber (took the chamber cover off).

surprisingly there was not as much fuel in it as I expected. I thought it should be half full. although there was some fuel in it, I don't think there was more than a few milliliters max (or quarter inch) if that.

maybe the fuel pump? or a clogged hose somewhere? it seems wierd that both would act the same way. And there is fuel being pumped in.

I am going to take the front float chamber cover off tomorrow and have a look.

by both I mean both carbs. Both have apparently empty float chambers. How full are these supposed to be anyway?

The float adjustment is in the height of the float itself. There is a small tab that contacts the valve that can be slightly bent to adjust the action of the float. Adjusted to the correct level, the bowls are about half full as viewed upon removing the tops. At least that is my experience.

...and since my float chambers are practically bone dry, thats my best clue yet. I will work back from there.

Since it's highly unlikely that the transmission shop decided to adjust your floats I'd by inclined to think that the problem is a result of the car sitting for so long. One possibility is a cracked hose that is causing the fuel pump to suck air. I'd start by adding a clear fuel filter such as this:

http://performanceparts.com/part.php?partID=38377

It allows you to see that fuel is actually flowing from the pump and has the added benefit of letting you see if the filter is starting to get clogged from debris in the tank. If you find that you're not getting fuel into the filter then my next step would be to run a fuel hose from the suction side of the pump directly into a can of fuel.

If you are getting fuel to the banjo fittings but the bowls are not filling it is more than likely the needle valves are gummed up or clogged as JimmyZ mentioned earlier. These are the brass nozzel type fitting that screw into the underside of the float bowl covers. You can test it by taking the covers off and blowing into the fuel inlet tube on the banjo fitting. If you can't blow through them the needle valve needs to be removed and cleaned out.

Hope thats all it is as that would be a quick fix. Just be carefull not to break the float attachment tabs if you do remove the needle valves.

Steve

I opened the front float cover, but couldnt get the cover all the way off. The float itself was interfering. There is a tab or something on the carb that I coudnt get clearance around.

Anyway I sprayed more carb cleaner into the float chamber and into the underside of the cover, and it started. Although running very rough now.

Im going to buy some carb cleaner gas additive and run it through the gasoline and see if that helps get the gum out.

oh and reset my points a little closer.