Mark III won't start after sitting 4 years

Engine, fuel system, cooling system, heating, carburetors, exhaust, transmission, wheels, and other items related to the moving the car.

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Steve Ruddy
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Mark III won't start after sitting 4 years

Post by Steve Ruddy »

It started fine before but after sitting for 4 years the carb was frozen. I rebuilt it and installed new points, rotor, cap, plugs, wires and coil. It's getting fuel and spark but won't start. I have had it backfire out the carb and once out the exhaust and it blew apart a muffler like it was popcorn. I just did a compression test and two cylinders are low, would that make it not start? Seems like it maybe the rings because doing a wet compression test brought it back up.
Steve Ruddy
Guerneville CA
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Re: Mark III won't start after sitting 4 years

Post by action »

With that kind of reaction and continued cranking, it is possible the timing gears have jumped a spot on the chain

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TonyC
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Re: Mark III won't start after sitting 4 years

Post by TonyC »

Another question: Was the fuel tank completely emptied out 4 years ago? If not, then what fuel there was in the system has turned into varnish...and that is likely why your carburetor froze up. Varnish can also bend valvetrain parts. It only takes about a year for gasoline to deteriorate in a closed container (e.g., a fuel tank) and start turning into varnish. Four years, and you can strip your furniture.

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