justy not firing..... - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

justee · 2005-05-31, 05:26 PM

can anyone tell me what's up with my 89 (not fuel injected 2wheel drive) justy? It cranks but does not fire up. battery is ok, I am getting a spark (could my spark be too weak?) I can hear the fuel pump for 2 seconds after I try the ignition but I can't smell any fuel. I tried some 'quik start' starter fluid directly into the carb but still no start - just cranks over....??

JC · 2005-05-31, 08:39 PM

First of all, you have a Justy, that's awesome.

Secondly, I don't know that anyone here is gonna be real helpful since none of us have a carb'd subie. Try the USMB that's where all the older subie guys hang out...
http://www.ultimatesubaru.net/forum/

Third, you should still come out to a meet.

Kevin M · 2005-06-01, 02:56 AM

What he said. The only thing that springs to mind is that with a carb, shouldn't it flood after several unsuccessful starts if fueling is okay?

SlickNick112 · 2005-06-01, 09:38 AM

Has fuel?

MikeSTI · 2005-06-01, 09:41 AM

has it be sitting for awhile or did this just happen out of no where? is this a daily driver or a project car?

justee · 2005-06-01, 05:54 PM

thanks for the responses. The car has been driven on a regular basis. I don't know for sure whether it is getting gas. I can smell fuel when I pull the plugs (on the plug itself) and I hear the fuel pump operating just after I try to start the car. I am now thinking that it is either the poor sparks (or non at all - I am going to look for a spark again tonight) the rough rotor head and poor contacts, or the fuel pump. But shouldn't it fire when I spray the 'quick start' into the carb? - it didn't. also I checked for a spark from the coil and I got a good strong one.........by the way I also tested for the timing belt being bad, but the rotor is turning while cranking so I assume it too is ok....

Mojo Troll · 2005-06-03, 12:56 AM

humm....the fuel pump seems to be pumping and the coil is firing.

How long has it been since you replaced the fuel filter? spark plugs? plug wires? cap? rotor?

I honestly don't know your particular car, but remember the basics. Try to determine if it's fuel or spark.

Are the plugs firing? (you can pull a plug while the plug wire is attached and have someone crank the engine to see if the plug fires).

Is the carb getting fuel? (try pulling the fuel line leading into the carb and have someone crank the motor).

Track the spark and fuel from its origin and see where your loosing one, the other or both.

2005-05-31, 05:26 PM	#1
justee n00b Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 2	justy not firing..... can anyone tell me what's up with my 89 (not fuel injected 2wheel drive) justy? It cranks but does not fire up. battery is ok, I am getting a spark (could my spark be too weak?) I can hear the fuel pump for 2 seconds after I try the ignition but I can't smell any fuel. I tried some 'quik start' starter fluid directly into the carb but still no start - just cranks over....??

2005-05-31, 08:39 PM	#2
JC Ask me about dubs! Real Name: JC Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 2,895 Car: 2013 Triumph Speed Triple R	First of all, you have a Justy, that's awesome. Secondly, I don't know that anyone here is gonna be real helpful since none of us have a carb'd subie. Try the USMB that's where all the older subie guys hang out... http://www.ultimatesubaru.net/forum/ Third, you should still come out to a meet. __________________ Actually, I am a rocket scientist.

2005-06-01, 02:56 AM	#3
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	What he said. The only thing that springs to mind is that with a carb, shouldn't it flood after several unsuccessful starts if fueling is okay? __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2005-06-01, 09:38 AM	#4
SlickNick112 EJ251 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 603 Car: '06 Impreza WRX STi Class: Out of class! I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal. People know me.	Has fuel? __________________ "I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day. " *~Frank Sinatra*

2005-06-01, 09:41 AM	#5
MikeSTI EJ205 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 2,354 Car: 2004 STi Class: TSM I can't complain	has it be sitting for awhile or did this just happen out of no where? is this a daily driver or a project car? __________________ Cobb Stage 2

2005-06-01, 05:54 PM	#6
justee n00b Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 2	I am now thinking.... thanks for the responses. The car has been driven on a regular basis. I don't know for sure whether it is getting gas. I can smell fuel when I pull the plugs (on the plug itself) and I hear the fuel pump operating just after I try to start the car. I am now thinking that it is either the poor sparks (or non at all - I am going to look for a spark again tonight) the rough rotor head and poor contacts, or the fuel pump. But shouldn't it fire when I spray the 'quick start' into the carb? - it didn't. also I checked for a spark from the coil and I got a good strong one.........by the way I also tested for the timing belt being bad, but the rotor is turning while cranking so I assume it too is ok....

2005-06-03, 12:56 AM	#7
Mojo Troll EJ18 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Reno Posts: 50	humm....the fuel pump seems to be pumping and the coil is firing. How long has it been since you replaced the fuel filter? spark plugs? plug wires? cap? rotor? I honestly don't know your particular car, but remember the basics. Try to determine if it's fuel or spark. Are the plugs firing? (you can pull a plug while the plug wire is attached and have someone crank the engine to see if the plug fires). Is the carb getting fuel? (try pulling the fuel line leading into the carb and have someone crank the motor). Track the spark and fuel from its origin and see where your loosing one, the other or both.