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Thread: 1961 CJ5 Starting Issue

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    1961 CJ5 Starting Issue

    Ok here's a mystery - recently bought a 61 CJ5 and instantly ran into issues while driving. The Jeep would suddenly die and wouldn't start back up. Took a look and notice the gas tank was full of rust. I assumed the gas tank was the culprit behind my issues so I replaced the tank, in-line fuel filter, fuel sender, took the fuel pump apart and added fresh gas. After putting everything back together now it wont start. Any ideas?

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    Super Moderator LarrBeard's Avatar
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    Won't Start?

    Quote Originally Posted by Simpsomt View Post
    After putting everything back together now it wont start. Any ideas?
    Since you had fuel issues, let's start down the fuel system.

    Pull the gas line at the carburetor. Crank the engine and verify fuel to the carburetor. Pull the top off the carb. Make sure that the needle valve is open and fuel is in the bowl. I would not be surprised if you had crud in the carburetor.

    If that's working, pull a spark plug wire and verify spark at the plug. Pull a plug. Wet, dirty, nasty, worn out?

    That should at least give you an idea if you are missing fuel or spark - and you can move on from there.

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    Looks like I am not getting any fuel to the carb. I pulled the gas line and cranked it a few times and got nothing. Does that mean I have a leak in my gas line somewhere or is my fuel pump bad?

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    Won't Start

    Quote Originally Posted by Simpsomt View Post
    Looks like I am not getting any fuel to the carb. I pulled the gas line and cranked it a few times and got nothing. Does that mean I have a leak in my gas line somewhere or is my fuel pump bad?
    Well, we've found at least one problem. I would undo the gas lines and blow them out with air. The fuel pickup in the tank could have crud in it. If the lines are clear, maybe the fuel pump, but I'd jury rig a gas line to the pump inlet and see if it will suck fuel from a gas can before I'd pull it off. With your history of a nasty gas tank, I'd suspect a plugged line.
    Last edited by LarrBeard; 09-23-2018 at 06:45 AM. Reason: Cleaned up typos

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    Super Moderator gmwillys's Avatar
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    Wasps and bugs tend to find their way into the pickup of the fuel line. It doesn't seem to matter if the fuel cap was on or off, the little buggers find their way in. Rust is another common culprit.

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    Quote Originally Posted by gmwillys View Post
    Wasps and bugs tend to find their way into the pickup of the fuel line. It doesn't seem to matter if the fuel cap was on or off, the little buggers find their way in. Rust is another common culprit.
    OK I cleaned out the gas line and made sure everything was tight. It fired right up and ran great. Took it out to lunch and ran a few errands. Came back to the house and parked it. Went to take it out for one more errand a few hours later and started OK but as I started driving it the engine started to sputter and then quit. I limped my way back to the house but it was pretty dicey. For whatever reason it didnt want to idle and kept sputtering and even back fired a few times.

    Also noticed this afternoon my oil light kept coming on when I would hit the gas. I checked and I have plenty of oil.

    Any ideas?

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    Super Moderator LarrBeard's Avatar
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    Won't start; Doesn't want to run

    If it makes you feel any better, you are having typical issues people see with old Jeeps that are starting to wake up and run in a second or third lifetime.

    Because you had what looks a lot like a fuel line issue, I'd clean out the lines again to get that last little piece of crud out of things, Check the fuel filter again - it may have loaded up.

    A backfire usually isn't a fuel issue - it says that a valve was open at the wrong time. I wonder if you could have a valve sticking open?

    The oil light coming on is a new one to me. It may be totally unrelated to everything else. Any noises that would indicte low oil pressure at the time?

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    Great question.. I just installed a new muffler so I am still getting used to all of the noises. That being said, I dont think I heard anything unusual when I lifted the hood. What type of noise should I be listening for if it's a low oil pressure issue?

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    Super Moderator LarrBeard's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Simpsomt View Post
    What type of noise should I be listening for if it's a low oil pressure issue?
    The first sign of low oil or low oil pressure in most engines is an increase in lifter noise - a lot of clattering. I've heard it said that hydraulic lifters have saved more engines than oil pressure gauges or oil lights.

    The other noise I have heard when oil pressure gets very low is a solid thunk-thunk from down deep in the engine - a lot deeper toned "thunk" than ignition knock.

    You drive an old Jeep as much by your senses as any gauges. You listen for strange new noises. You feel different vibrations. You smell fuel leaks or the sharp oil smell of gear lube vs. the normal fumes from the little oil leak around the valve lifter cover.

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    Crap - I just started it and am hearing a lot of noise. The dipstick says it's full of oil. Should I drain out the oil and start investigating? Any recommendations?

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