1964-1974 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Hi Dick,
It sure seems like you've done the tried and true fixes.
But what you don't know, it seems from your post, is the real failure mode. Is it fuel or spark? I suggest you start with that.
1. When the failure mode occurs, pull a plug, have a friend crank it and see if you're getting a good strong spark across the gap. If not, you at least know where to concentrate your efforts. If you do, it's not 100% sure that the ignition is okay, as you probably know. Sometimes a plug will fire outside the engine, but won't when in the engine with the compression. But those cases are rare.
2. If you have good strong spark, check the fuel situation. With the air cleaner off, do you get a good strong spray of fuel down the throat when you blip the throttle (be careful doing this). What if you pull the top cover off the carb and see what's in the bowl? How about the looking at the fuel filter- get one of those plastic ones- is it 1/4 full or more or is it empty? What happens if you disconnect the fuel line to the carb and connect it back up? What if you pop the gas cap? IE, is it a tank venting problem?
You see where I'm going... Isolate the problem.
My winter 96 was exhibiting similar problems this fall. When hot, it would grind and grind, causing me all sorts of embarrassment and frustration. Finally, it would fire up (if I didn't kill the battery). First thing in the morning, it would as you say, start like a Honda. At lunch time at work, same thing. But go in the hardware store and come out...grind and grind. It has the Weber 34 carb, which had been working fine. I had installed the insulator when I put the carb on, as a precaution. I was thinking of putting on an electric pump and all that. I finally got around to troubleshooting the problem. I pulled the aircleaner when this problem happened and what did I find? Plenty of gas. Lots of gas. TOO much gas. I found that the carb was LEAKING fuel after shutoff, which would flood the motor, making hot starts very difficult. After sitting a few hours, the fuel had dissipated and it starts like a Honda. It didn't empty the bowl, but pretty close, leaving enough to start it after the long shutdown. Solution? I swapped a spare Weber in and problem went away. I'll give the old one a rebuild and hopefully solve it.
Long post, I know, but I wanted you to know that over the 2 or 3 week period the problem occurred, my mind was racing as I thought about a half a dozen fixes/improvements that I was going to make to solve the problem, when I really didn't know the problem.
Ok- I'll stop typing!
erio in vermont
posted by 209.99.20...
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
