Starting Issues, I think it's the fuel pump

Howdy y'all.

Been getting tougher and tougher to start my 71 CJ5 w/ the 225 V6. Now it won't start at all. Here are some symptoms.

All cylinders have spark
Spark plugs
Back ones are wet after trying to start
Middle ones are literally soaked
Front ones (closest to radiator) are bone dry
I have a clear fuel filter and I can't actually see any fuel in it. I know it has gas, so does that mean the fuel pump has gone?

Thanks.

 

If you know you have fuel in the tank, pull the fuel line off the carb and crank the motor to see if it is pumping. if you have a helper that would be good. Also disconnect your wire to the coil so it does not start on you. If it pumps fuel the problem is else where.

 

if your plugs are fouled is it gas or oil? either will cause it not to start,does it smoke? and if so black or blue? black would be a rich fuel mixture,blue would be oil consumption ,need more details,could be as simple as a stuck float in the carb,or as complex as an engine overhaul

 

Like Rmeak said, it's easy to pull the fuel line at the carb. I like to hold a jar under it and see how fast the fuel comes out. There's probably a spec on how fast it should pump.

Also, just behind the fuel connection in the carb is another filter. You can check it, change it, or take it out.

Another thing would be to pull the top of the carb off and look to see if the bowl has gas. It should be enough to start even if you don't have a fuel pump.

With some plugs wet and some not I would be looking at the ignition.

HTH

 

went back and re read sounds to me like your carb is leaking fuel down into the intake and filling the cylinders middle 2 are closest to the carb and will get the most of it,back 2 are down hill and will get the rest,front 2 are the highest and will not get any,unless you have it parked to where they are down hill

 

Thanks to all the answers so far. I'll do some trouble shooting tommorrow if the weather holds up. If the carb is leaking, what would be the fix? The engine was just overhauled 4k miles ago so I hope it's nothing to major. I'll be changing the needle & seat while I"m at it, so that'll just add another problem to the mix. The current jets are for high elevation.

 

I have a crappy rochester 2jet carb and it seems to stick from time to time and fuel just pours in. a couple cyls try to fire but it just floods out. Please be careful with gas on top of engine! I saw a guy get burned up pretty bad while working on a van. he put gas down the carb to try to get it to fire and it spit back in his face and he caught fire! Sorry if I sound like your mother "youll put you eye out with that thing!"

 

sounds like time to rebuild the carb. could also have too much line pressure (the factory book calls for 2.5 psi). get a fuel pressure gauge (or an adjustable regulator) on the line to see if that's the problem.

 

First thing to check is the fuel filter. That will get ya. Disconnect it before the filter when checking to see if the gas pumps out of the fuel line.