Hans1965 Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 Hi guys, I have a huge problem. My Riviera is not willing to start anymore. I know - it needs fuel, air and spark. Everything is there - I think. The starter is running, I have spark, the only thing I am not 100% sure is if the carburetor is not clocked. I had checked the little gas filter in the carburetor and cleaned it (a bit of rust). I used a lot starter spray to help at the beginning and give the fuel pump some time to suck in some fuel. But with the starter spray it does not say anything (nor with some gas (50 ml)). I think some time ago I left the key in the middle position. At least I did not take it fully out. The car has a starter knob, not the pedal starter. Changed spark plugs and ignition coil. No change. I really don't want to rebuild the carburetor although I bought a kit from Daytona Parts Co. to do so. I will never get that done successfully. Is there an easy way to check if there is flow of gas? I know it's probably impossible to give me any kind of advice but maybe you can? If you have something in mind that I could try, please let me know. Greetings from Germany! And it is not too late to wish everybidy here a great 2017, health and happiness and lots of fantastic hours with your cars! Yeahhhh! Best, Hans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 Did you rule out the fuel pump yet? On my 02 Jeep Liberty when I was diagnosing a poor cylinder (code told me it was fuel injector, but I actually dropped an intake valve lol), I had to remove the fuel rail and I checked the fuel pump by sticking the rubber fuel hose in a glass vase and hit the starter. Checking your pump similarly is a lot cheaper than tearing apart the carburetor. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 (edited) Do you still have points and condenser in the 53? And did it run at all on the starter fluid? Edited January 16, 2017 by JohnD1956 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hans1965 Posted January 16, 2017 Author Share Posted January 16, 2017 Hi Beemon, it is not the fuel line. I disconnected it from the carb and the pump pumps! Hi John, the car is 100%. Even with the starter spray it did not make any attempt to start. That's why I think the carb might be fine. No ignition at all. You mean I might have to change the points? In the last few months it run only in the garage for a few minutes. Thanks both of you. Appreciate that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 3 hours ago, Hans1965 said: I have spark Check again. 50 ml gas plus starter fluid should make it run at least briefly. If not check the compression. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 Leaving the ignition switch on may have damaged the points. I would pull the distributor cap and see if the points are able to open. And i would change the points and condensor at this point regardless if they could . 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfre Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 Check the points or replace. Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hans1965 Posted January 17, 2017 Author Share Posted January 17, 2017 Dear all, I will check compression tonight and just ordered new points and condensor. I will let you know the outcome!! Thanks everybody! Hans 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 I vote for a bad condenser. I just went through all of this on a 1949 Roadmaster wagon, which was getting gas, turning over just fine, had a new coil, but the spark was intermittent. Turned out to be a bad condenser. Pete Phillips, BCA #7338 Leonard, Texas 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 Points and condenser replacement. Careful with the starter fluid spray. Over use can cause problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 Also be sure you are using standard spark plugs. Premium exotic plugs (platinum, etc) are made for fuel injected engines and most will not recover from fuel or oil fouling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hans1965 Posted January 22, 2017 Author Share Posted January 22, 2017 (edited) Problem solved! Points looked like new. Exchange brought no change. The condenser I had purchased was the wrong one. So no way to check this. We looked again at other things and it turned out that the membrane of the mechanical fuel pump was faulty. It carried gas but just not strong enough. I bought and installed an electrical pump with 4-5 psi and after starting it and pressing the starter button for 5 sec it purred like a kitten on idle. Breathtakingly beautiful and huge relief!!! Very rewarding!!! Will buy a repair kit for the mechanical pump which takes a while - comes from the US! :-) Thanks everybody for suggestions, help and support! You are a great crowd here on the forum. Hans PS: using AC R45S spark plugs Edited January 22, 2017 by Hans1965 (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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