1973 Dodge Van GASOLINE SPRAYS INTO THE AIR

B. PARK

MEMBER
1973 DODGE VAN

Engine Mechanical problem
1973 Dodge Van V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic

I HAVE A 1973 SPORTSMAN. THE ENGINE CRANKS OVER BUT WILL NOT START. IT HAS NEW BATT, STARTER, ROTOR, CAP, PLUGS, WIRES, ETC. WHILE I CRANK THE ENGINE I SEE SMALL SPARKS FROM INSIDE THE CARBERATOR, IT ALSO SPRAYS SPURTS OF GASOLINE STRAIGHT UP INTO THE AIR. WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THIS? DOES IT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE CHOKE?

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,289 POSTS

Hi:
When does the gas shoot out? Is the choke closed tight? Is there a vacuum into the engine or do you have air shooting out?

Let me know.
Joe

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Saturday, March 14th, 2009 AT 6:56 PM

B. PARK

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The gas spurts out as I crank the engine, not at first but after 3-4 secs. The choke is closed but opens slightly as the engine cranks. There is no vacuum that im aware of. Please help!

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Saturday, March 14th, 2009 AT 7:20 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,289 POSTS

You have a problem with the carb. If you pull a plug, is it wet? Also, if you take a screw driver and block the choke open, does that make a difference? Are you getting spark to the plugs?

Bare with me. It's a process of elimination.

Joe

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Sunday, March 15th, 2009 AT 3:13 PM

YOGITECH1

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13 POSTS

Not sure about the sparks your seeing but the fuel shooting into the air could very well be that the valve is stuck open or the timing chain has finally slipped and the valve train is out of time allowing the valve to be open on the compression stroke enough to push gas out of the engine instead of sucking it in. I know GM useda nylon coated cam gear on their engines from the factory but I don't know about Dodge, if the cam has a nylon coated cog then this coul have worn down allowing the timing to slip.

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Sunday, March 15th, 2009 AT 3:34 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,289 POSTS

Hi:
Like yogitech1 said, it could be a timing issure or a sturck or burnt valve. Unlike GM, chrysler used an all steal gear, so that is a good thing. Before I have you start checking compression, I want you to check spark and the trick with blocking the choke open. Just FYI, the choke butterfly never should shut tight. There should be a small opening all of the time, aprox 1/16 inch.

Let me know.

Joe