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How do you prime a carburator?

Tiny
AMBERJ
  • MEMBER
  • VOLVO 240
Volvo 91 240 Station Wagon, 195,000 miles. I just ran out of gas and pushed my car to a station. When I filled it up, it still wouldn't start. I was told by a friend that he thought I needed to prime my carburator before it would start again. The problem is, I am mechanically illiterate and don't know how to do this. I am also extremely broke and don't want to pay for a tow and mechanic if I don't have to. Is this an easy process, and if so, can someone explain it to me? Many thanks. AJ
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Tuesday, December 19th, 2006 AT 3:17 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,753 POSTS
Gas engines really shouldn't need to be primed. Try taking off the air cleaner to expose the throat of the carb. Pour in a very small amount of gas and fire the engine up. If it starts and stays running that is great. If not, do it one more time. If it starts and then dies and it happens the next time as well you have either a float is the carb that is stuck shut or your fuel is not getting in to the carb. Fuel pump, fuel filter, etc.

One thought is that when you run out of gas all the crap from the bottom of the tank gets sucked in to the line. Could be plugged line or your filter took a big load and plugged up.
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Tuesday, December 19th, 2006 AT 9:03 PM

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