My brand new F-134 Hurricane Engine

Deadguy · Post by **Deadguy** » Sun Aug 21, 2011 11:09 pm

after a day of driving, fails to start. It starts right up cold, and keeps going good through several stops, but at random intervals it just decides it won't start. The starter turns and turns, but no dice. It's not a heat issue either, it will start up and run all day, then I hit the store at night, come back out, and have to play with it for a good 30 minutes to get it to start up. I think the distributor, ignition wires, and coil is brand new as well. Any ideas? Maybe the spark plugs?

dod03-52 · Post by **dod03-52** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 6:21 am

Sounds like fuel vapor lock. Starts good cold, drive a while, let sit for 10 minutes, the engine and hot weather boil the fuel out of the carb. Try to find non-oxyenaited fuel----no alcohol. Thats what I do when the temp goes 90 degrees plus.

Post by **wesk** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 10:32 am

It's not a heat issue either, it will start up and run all day, then I hit the store at night, come back out, and have to play with it for a good 30 minutes to get it to start up.

Are you saying here that it usually starts hot just fine as well as always starting cold easily? It's a bit confusing when you start with "it starts cold fine" and move into "it's not a heat issue"

Give us a little background on what has been done to your engine since the last time it ran trouble free for you. IE you mention new engine. Is this a rebuilt over the shelf engine you just installed? "I think ignition is new" is not much help. Can you determine for sure what is new and what is not new?

Rather then crank on it for thirty minutes when it refuses to start try to immediately remove one spark plug, reconnect it's lead and hold it against the block and crank the engine. Do you get a bright blue spark?

If you do then ignition is probably not an issue.

Vapor lock is not a common problem with the M38A1 if the fuel line is routed in it's stock location around the front of the engine.

Have you checked the position of the open/closed vent valve in your fuel cap? Most caps have a open fro run and closed for fording valve in them. If your cap is in the open position then that would rule out a plugged up vent system. If your cap has no valve in it then try operating the jeep with the cap installed loosely and if it runs ok then clean out the vent valve on top of the tank.

Deadguy · Post by **Deadguy** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 2:20 pm

well, it doesn't die when it's running down the street. It is only when i park it, go in a shop, come out, and sometimes it won't start. But there seems to be no rhyme or reason. When it's 100 degrees in the daytime in Austin, TX, it starts fine. Then 'm at the supermarket after dark, spend 30 minutes shopping, come out, and it won't start. The starter turns, the engine almost catches once or twice, and that's it. I go buy quick starter fluid, and it starts right up. I drive it home, let it sit, it starts up fine again.
I have heard, that the newer fuel is hard on older engines, and I should get a fuel stabilizer. The engine is either a very good rebuild. I am getting a new ignition coil, it won't hurt to have an extra (that has been my experience with my past two CJs), and I'm putting in new plugs. I'll check the gap on the points too, and pull out the timing light.
I bought it a few months ago, it had major frame and suspension problems, and has pretty much been getting worked on the whole time. It hasn't been driven that much, but it has had that problem with not starting from day one. I already put in new batteries. In a week or so, i'll change all the fluids-oil,antifreeze, all that.