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Solex Carb Problems

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by lynndiwagon, Nov 26, 2019.

  1. Nov 26, 2019
    lynndiwagon

    lynndiwagon New Member

    Yukon, OK
    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2008
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    Hi folks, been a long time since I've posted. At any rate, I've got a stock 1961 CJ5 with the Hurricane 4 engine. I finally got tired of messing with the original carb and put a solex on it. Works great. I had quit using the original fuel pump and installed an electric fuel pump some time ago. Recently I tried starting it and had some problems. It would start and run good and then die. I could wait a bit and it would start right up and run good for a short period and die. Obviously not getting enough gas so I installed a different electric fuel pump. Same problem. I then discovered the little hidden filter under the gas line connector and took it out. Thought I had it fixed. Started and ran real good and drove it a few blocks. Thought it was fixed. Went out this morning and the same problem. Start and run until I accelerate the engine and then die. Looking at the clear fuel filter I noticed that it was not filling up so I cracked the screw on the fuel line into the carb and bled the line a little and the filter would fill back up and the engine would start and run unitl the filter was empty and the die. I thought the bowl might not be venting so I checked that out. The vent is open into the upper throat of the carb. I can stick a little wire in there and feel the float. When the filter is fairly full and engine is running I can see the level in the clear filter slowly dropping and the engine dies. This happens on two different electric fuel pumps so I don't think that's the problem. I got to thinking maybe the fuel line out of the bottom of the gas tank was restricted but I blew air through the line and could hear it coming out of the fuel inlet on the side of the jeep. What do you guys think? I'm about out of ideas. Obviously if I can get gas in the bowl the things purrs like a sewing machine. Thanks.
     
  2. Nov 26, 2019
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Châtillon en...
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    There are good specialists on the forum.
    I have a Solex carb. They told me how to clean it.
    And now all is well running, it is perfect, I would say, I am myself surprised.
    So, believe in the God of Jeeps, whose name is unpronouncable.
    I don't have electric pump, just the standard one, ignition is standard.
    Avoid changing many things before carefully cleaning the pump inside the carb, with 4 screws and a spring, take care.
     
    Jrobz23 likes this.
  3. Nov 26, 2019
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    Pull the line off at the carb and run the pump into a can just to be certain the line isn’t clogged. Ethanol can swell the rubber shut inside the rubber fuel line. Hold your finger over the end to make sure you feel some inkling of pressure.

    If that is good, it could be as simple as a sticky float valve in the carb. Try tapping on the carb with a wrench. Sometimes it’s enough to get it to unstick. If that works, you know where to look.

    Also, make certain your fuel problem isn’t actually an electrical problem. Check your ignition components.

    Good luck!
     
  4. Nov 26, 2019
    lynndiwagon

    lynndiwagon New Member

    Yukon, OK
    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2008
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    23
    Thanks Itlksez and Alan. Itlksez, there is plenty of pressure and volume coming out of the filter going to the carb. I was thinking maybe the line out of the bottom of the tank might be constricted. Also, I don't burn ethanol in that vehicle. Alan, I haven't taken the "pump" apart because this is definitely a problem getting gas into the bowl. One of the weirdest problems I've had. I'll keep messing with it because this setup ran perfectly last year.
     
  5. Nov 26, 2019
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    The next time it quits, pull the air horn off and look down the throat of the carb. Twist the throttle a few times. If there is a shot of fuel from the accelerator pump, the bowl has fuel in it, and you might be able to rule out a fuel issue. If not, pull the top off the carb. If it’s empty, push down on the float. If fuel bursts out, you have a sticky needle valve.

    I keep wondering if it’s a condenser or coil problem, because they will exhibit the same symptoms.
     
  6. Nov 26, 2019
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Filter clogged? When you say that you see it empty, is that emptiness on the input side or the output side of the filter element?

    I have learned that my own clear filter can appear "clean" but the pores are blocked at a microscopic level. Allows fuel to pass slowly, starts okay but then stalls out.
     
  7. Dec 3, 2019
    lynndiwagon

    lynndiwagon New Member

    Yukon, OK
    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2008
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    Update, with the symptoms described I figured it must be a restriction from the under seat tank to the electric fuel pump so I ran a completely new gas line. Unfortunately, same problem. I guess it's something with the Solex, that's the only thing left. I think it must be something to do with the float although it looks fine. I've had that thing off the engine and torn apart at least 10 times. For the price I just ordered a new carb. I'll let you all know what happens. Thanks for the replies.
     
  8. Dec 3, 2019
    GTS Dean

    GTS Dean New Member

    Texas
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    Feb 21, 2019
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    My humble (and experienced) advice: Sh*tcan that piece of junk and put a Carter on it. Your problems will be solved.
     
    Rick Whitson and PeteL like this.
  9. Dec 4, 2019
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

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    My Solex works very well since it has been cleaned 2 years ago. Summer,winter, all correct.
    Take time to check and change all problematic cheap parts. Be sure the new ones are good. All this is a question of logic and time. Take notes as a doctor does not to forget. And happiness will come again.
     
  10. Dec 4, 2019
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

    Northern, WI
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    What pressure are you running out of the electric pump?
     
    tcfeet likes this.
  11. Dec 6, 2019
    lynndiwagon

    lynndiwagon New Member

    Yukon, OK
    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2008
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    That's a good question. I first suspected the fuel pump and bought a different one. Same problem. Put the original one back on.....the one that worked for a couple of years. The clear, new, filter between the fuel pump and the carb will almost fill up. As the engine runs the level in the filter slowly goes down until it looks empty and then the engine dies. Turn on the key and the filter fills up again and engine starts. It does this on both fuel pumps, and the new one is a high dollar one. Haven't checked the presssure but when I take the fuel line loose on the carb there appears to be plenty of fuel squirting out...certainly more than enough than the engine needs to run. Weird.
     
  12. Dec 7, 2019
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

    Northern, WI
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    Can you ensure the fuel pump is still running? A fuel pressure gauge would help here.

    It sounds like the fuel pump is shutting off. Do you get fuel while starting and not after it’s started? If so trace the ‘on/run’ circuit from the key-switch as start and run are different circuits.
     
    tcfeet likes this.
  13. Dec 7, 2019
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    A fuel pump test measures TWO things to be valid.

    1) standing Static Pressure w/ closed system
    2) sustained Flow Rate w/ open system

    They are different, and you need both. The FSM gives specs, although the Solex may be different.
     
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2019
  14. Dec 7, 2019
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

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    Some infos in French : research = revision d'un carburateur solex 32PBIC

    I cleaned mine very carefully, particularly the pump inside, with 6 screws and inside was dirty, and very delicate parts.
    Then, all being checked the carb was working well and the Jeep too. It is years ago and I have no trouble until now, and I hope tomorrow.
    As I say, like in Physics, "toutes choses égales d'ailleurs" which probably means all being correct on other points, ignition, fuel pump...

    My personal message is : The Solex carb 32PBIC works very well, it was on many cars during many years and it is a good carb, except my fuel consumption but this is an other subject.
    My CJ5 works perfectly and I enjoy it, as many of you know, all nice days of life (not rainy days!).

    https://m201.pagesperso-orange.fr/Solex32PBIC_fichiers/revision_carburateur.pdf
     
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  15. Dec 7, 2019
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Wait... isn't Solex a French company??? :susp:

    You are very patriotic, Alan. (y)
     
  16. Dec 7, 2019
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

    Northern, WI
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    I got nothing but good things to say about my Solex.
     
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  17. Dec 7, 2019
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

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    In fact it is probably French but I am not patriotic, just logic as a Wold citizen.
    In the 50ies there was few countries with an history of car production.
    I am not so patriotic because Peugeot was a big name but the owners, family, made stupid mistakes and quite destroyed their market.
    Stupid French rich heirs is the truth. Don't repeat please ! :madwife::shock:
     
  18. Dec 7, 2019
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    +1
     
  19. Dec 10, 2019
    tcfeet

    tcfeet Member

    east of west,...
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    I seem to remember when I put a solex on my jeep, the sheet that came with it said to run 1 3/4 to 2 lbs fuel pressure.
    Could be to much pressure caused the needle valve to stick ??
     
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  20. Mar 1, 2020
    lynndiwagon

    lynndiwagon New Member

    Yukon, OK
    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2008
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    Update problem solved, probably............Well, it's been a while but the old Willys has retired to the Lake and I just got back down to work on it. I bought a new carb and brought down and installed it. Same problem. Just for kicks I decided to route the positive wire feeding the fuel pump directly to the battery. It worked and ran like a top without dying. I was tapping power for the fuel pump off of the positive side of the coil. So I took a voltmeter and checked the voltage at the fuel pump and it was OK. I ran a wire straight to the ignition switch and the problem returned....jeep would start and run for about 30 seconds until bowl was dry. Kill the engine turn key back on and let bowl fill up and it would start and run for about 30 seconds, etc. Fuel pump always ran. Checked the voltage and it was OK. Hooked back directly to the battery and it purred like a kitten. So, I've decided it must be the ignition switch dropping a small amount of voltage and not handling the fuel pump current, even though I don't show a big voltage drop at the fuel pump. The ignition switch has been sticking a little on the start position. We'll see. If the new ignition switch doesn't work I'll install a relay and feed the fuel pump off of it and the battery. So after new fuel line, new electric pump, new carb and many hours I think I've got it solved. This has been a really weird problem and I hope it helps someone else.
     
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