[DANNO]

I hadn't started my wagon in quite a while. I decided to start it and drive it for a bit to keep things circulated. Took the battery out and charged it overnight. Put it back in the car and cranked.....and cranked.....and cranked. Hmmmm. It's never been this hard to start that old six-banger. I figured maybe the gas went bad during the winter. Only had a quarter tank in it or so. I usually fill it before parking it for the winter, but didn't this year. So, I dumped a couple of cans of new fresh gas in her and bounced the car to mix it up good. No luck. I filled the carburetor with a syringe into the vent tube. Started right up. Purred like a kitten. (well, as much as an old stovebolt can purr) Then it died. Hmmmm. Must have used all of the gas in the carb, but not getting more. I undid the fuel line from the carb, checked the filter and left the line loose and cranked the starter. From the front seat, I could see the fuel line. Just a few spits of fuel. Hmmm. Maybe the fuel is jelled a bit some where in the line. Reconnected the fuel line to the carb. Had my son fill the carb bowl while I cranked. It would start, but run only until the bowl was empty. Repeated several times. Should have pulled some good fuel up by now. Fuel pump must be bad. Got a new pump from NAPA (had to wait overnight). Put it on (the bolts are a pain to get a tool on) and no change. Starts easily when fuel added to carb bowl. Dies when it runs the bowl dry. Crawl under the back to look at the tank and ............ the rubber hose to the tank is split open! Replaced it and she starts and runs like a jewel (well, a cheap jewel ).

MORAL: If it ain't getting gas, check the lines first. It's cheaper and quicker.:thumbsup:

 

[72GreenRally]

It might be cheaper and quicker, but it's not as much fun!

 

[taz3]

Not to knock you here, but I learned real fast not to over diagnose problems and start at the beginning, although your particular situation, I would expect to of found a leak first and without that probably not looked for a split line.:no: I think you did alright considering the circumstances.:yes:

I had a customer come in, who had no working brake lights, so I began taking out the bulbs. He asked me what I was doing, so I told him I was checking the bulbs first, he insisted it wasn't the bulbs, to the point of getting mad at me. I just kept my composure and told him the best way to perform my job was the right way and would save him money in the long run. When I remove the bulbs to show him they were burnt out, I politely told him how expensive it would have been to pull the wiring harness out first and that's why we start at the beginning.

 

[DANNO]

Not to knock you here,

Heck, I should be knocked. The split line might not be the first thing to check, but I should have checked sooner. :yes:

 

[68chevyll]

Same thing happened to a 79 Caprice I had!!!!