Fuel primer

zeke57 · Post by **zeke57** » Fri Aug 07, 2020 10:21 am

I have noticed if my a1 sit's for any period of time it is very hard to start so I have to remove the air cleaner tube and squirt gas into the carb. I have read about solution's to this problem among them being installing a fuel pump with a primer arm or the primer setup which I believe fill's the carb bowl from a device mounted inside the cab. I see Kaiser-Willys has a fuel pump with a primer arm for $146 anyone know if this pump is of good quality? And I also found the NOS primer setup at Debella's for $300+. Are these basically the only two ways to prime the system for quicker starting or does anyone know of other option's. Thanks all.

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Fri Aug 07, 2020 11:15 am

Drive it more often.

Just sayin...

OKCM38CDN · Post by **OKCM38CDN** » Fri Aug 07, 2020 11:17 am

I have the same problem with my M-38CDN and 637 carb, what I do is open the carb vent line to the air filter and squirt gas into the float bowl. Close it back up and she starts right up.

What is happening ios the gas is evaporating out of the carb thru the vent (IMO), I live in Oklahoma and it get quite warm even with the jeep in a garage... if I drive it regularly no problem only happens when store for long periods...

mdainsd · Post by **mdainsd** » Fri Aug 07, 2020 2:37 pm

My M38s have the original style dash mounted primers. While they work great, I find little use for them. Even after sitting, literally for months, no more than 10 seconds of cranking brings them to life, without using that primer. The primer definitely is a plus when they get run out of gas though.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Fri Aug 07, 2020 8:37 pm

If you have the original carburetor but without the primer arm there are a couple of small parts and the arm itself that are available and should be an easy retrofit.

zeke57 · Post by **zeke57** » Sun Aug 09, 2020 12:04 pm

I am not seeing any mention of a primer arm on the carb in any of my manuals. The only primer arm that I am aware of is on the fuel pump.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Sun Aug 09, 2020 12:44 pm

Geez Zeke,
Sorry brain fart. Yes, on the fuel pump. I bought a pump that was missing the arm, or so I thought. It had been broken off right at the mounting bolt/screw,
such that it looked like a MWO. There are a couple of small parts that go along with it that I found. Now just need an arm. Easily made or bought.

But that should fill your bowl before starting.