HELP!!!! stuck in albany ny

Kevin · July 25, 2011, 10:47:32 AM

Desi,

I had a similar problem with my 4104 starving for fuel. I first changed the pump - to no avail. I then tried sucking on the disconnected fuel line (at engine compartment) from the tank and found it was plugged. Couldn't get any fuel to come through. I went to the fuel tank and discovered a check valve at the fuel pick up in the tank.

It is a one-way valve. This valve prevents the fuel in the line from draining all the way back into the tank when you shut down. Anyway, I took that check valve off and blew a big chunk of crud out of it. I refilled my filters and she fired right up. Later I added a spin-on fuel filter between the fuel tank pick up and the check valve to (hopefully) prevent this situation occuring again.

Have you tried sucking on the fuel line (at engine compartment) from the tank? If you don't get any fuel, look for that check valve at the fuel pick up on your tank. Hope this helps.

Kevin

Len Silva · July 25, 2011, 11:21:07 AM

Desi,

I really hate to beat up on a guy when he's down, but I have to say that if you are going to drive one of these old beasts and you do not have an unlimited checkbook, then you really need to educate yourself on how they work and their little idiosyncrasies. Second only to the 4104, there is probably not a simpler machine on the road than the 4106.

Barring catastrophic failure, it only needs fuel and air to run.

The only thing that would affect the air supply is a clogged filter or a tripped shutdown. Since you get no smoke when trying to start, we can generally rule out air.

The only components of the fuel system are

1.) The tank Did you stick the tank to be sure there is fuel in it. A leaking return line could easily empty the tank in a hundred miles.

2.) Clogged filters. If there is the slightest doubt, just change them, cheap and simple even on the side of the road.

3.) Suction leak. Probably the hardest thing to find and fix. The simplest way is to substitute the line with a short temporary hose from a fuel can.

4.) Bad fuel pump. Next in the fuel circuit but least likely to be the problem.

5.) Rack in no fuel position. Simple visual check on most engines.

6.) blocked return line. Disconnect the return line at the engine.

Now, for any of these to work, you also have to be sure that there is no air in the fuel supply all the way from the tank to the block.

An electric pump at the tank is the most convenient way to do that, but there are alternatives. You could disconnect the fuel line at the primary filter and just blow into the tank using a short piece of hose and your hand or a rag to make a seal. Just keep moving the disconnect fuel line further up the chain until you get to the fuel pump. Once there is fuel and no air at the pump, you should be good to go.

Good luck to you.

jjrbus · July 25, 2011, 12:27:49 PM

You could disconnect the fuel line at the primary filter and just blow into the tank using a short piece of hose and your hand or a rag to make a seal.

R the GM tanks vented? JIm

Len Silva · July 25, 2011, 01:23:47 PM

Quote from: jjrbus on July 25, 2011, 12:27:49 PM
You could disconnect the fuel line at the primary filter and just blow into the tank using a short piece of hose and your hand or a rag to make a seal.

R the GM tanks vented? JIm

Yes, I had forgotten about that. You would have to block off the whistle tube, not hard to do.

I've done it before I installed a primer pump (the very next day), but I did use compressed air and not my lungs. I do think it would work in a pinch.

chev49 · July 25, 2011, 05:58:33 PM

may have a check valve both in tank pick up and near rear bulkhead as well. mine did. and the one near the engine plugged up.

I wouldnt go anywhere without a manual, even tho i work on these kind of engines all the time.

desi arnaz · July 25, 2011, 08:03:02 PM

none of the above were the problem........... i had a cracked brass nipple on the algeex it took me all of three min to find what i did was put my hand on it and it fell off, if my wife had been a little more paitent i could of found it right then and there but instead i paid for a hotel and a rental car to take her and the baby home and then drive all the way back to albany and fix it in less than an hour including charging the batteries with the rental car. total bill to all state motor club $1095 total i have paid to allstate motor club $6.99

Barn Owl · July 25, 2011, 08:30:28 PM

Glad to hear it was a simple fix. What is a algeex?

desi arnaz · July 26, 2011, 03:45:53 AM

it is a device that removes all the algee in the fuel before it gets burnt,

Red Rider · July 26, 2011, 06:40:35 AM

Aside from the related costs things couldn't have worked out better.

Guesses are just that. With all the input you still had to do it your own way.

Safe travels and the very best to you and your wife.

desi arnaz · July 26, 2011, 01:36:12 PM

thanks guys for all your help!!! safe and sound at home......

bevans6 · July 26, 2011, 01:37:40 PM

congrat's, another adventure put to bed...

desi arnaz · July 26, 2011, 02:49:50 PM

i had fun the wife was not amused..........

jjrbus · July 26, 2011, 03:58:20 PM

Wife's r like that. JIm

Mex-Busnut · July 26, 2011, 08:24:29 PM

Tell your wife: "Are you mad at me because of my bus, or would you rather I chased women like other men?"

desi arnaz · July 27, 2011, 04:51:16 AM

she would rather have me chase women.she hates my guts.