Hitachi VC42-rig won't start

[offroadkid]

Good morning!

My 1966 Patrol sat for the winter in the garage (or a little longer!) and when I try to start it it just cranks over and there is a noticeable fuel odor. I looked at the carburetor and I can see fresh fuel coming out of the base of it and running down the outside of intake manifold. I also noticed there is no fuel in the sight glass.

Is this a quick and easy fix that comes to someone's mind?

I have a rebuild kit for it if it needs to come apart.

Thanks for your thoughts!

[Esteban]

Good morning!

My 1966 Patrol sat for the winter in the garage (or a little longer!) and when I try to start it it just cranks over and there is a noticeable fuel odor. I looked at the carburetor and I can see fresh fuel coming out of the base of it and running down the outside of intake manifold. I also noticed there is no fuel in the sight glass. ...

I borrowed again a picture from member Pancho, since the parts diagram doesn't show the Main Jet Carrier clearly, and I think that it could be your problem.

Please take a look at the picture below. The fact that you have fuel spilling out of the carb, and no fuel showing on the sight glass, will only be possible if Main Jet Carrier is loose. It could be just in need of tightening it a little bit, or that the aluminum flat washer that acts as a gasket there, needs replacing. This flat washer goes between the Main Jet Carrier and the body. Be careful not to tighten too much the Main Jet Carrier since you risk the chance of stripping the threads inside the body.

Since you have a rebuild kit, most certainly it will include this washer. I will try it first without rebuilding the whole carb.

Carburetor VC42.jpg

[Flaggoni]

Another possibility...perhaps the float is stuck down and the fuel level is ABOVE the top of the sight glass, making it appear empty.
Mild Bill

[offroadkid]

Thanks for the replies! When I get to work tomorrow, (had today off) I will look at it with the information I learned today and see if I can find out what's happening!

[Esteban]

Another possibility...perhaps the float is stuck down and the fuel level is ABOVE the top of the sight glass, making it appear empty.
Mild Bill

Like they say, look for the simple stuff first. Great!

[RiverPatrol]

I usually find that the float is stuck when that happen. I can tap the side of the carb gently (avoid the sight glass!) and the float frees up. It will then start easily and run fine.

[offroadkid]

Okay, update!

Got the carb back together but the (leather maybe?) on the new accelerator pump is tight and does return to position only after a short delay. It's not on the Patrol yet, still on my work bench. Anyone else observe this?

I have it soaking in fuel overnight, maybe that's the fix?

As always, thanks for the input and advice!

[Esteban]

Soaking it in fuel will definitely help. I think you're right about it.

[offroadkid]

On a side note....

What happened to my "Thanks" button? I can't thank anyone for their post anymore?!

[Johnny Roadkill]

If the delay is only very short - a second or two - it probably won't be an issue anyway but it's likely to wear in and soften up after a bit of use like a new pair of shoes.

As for the thanks button...it's a digital thing so there must be a perfectly logical explanation for it, but beyond human comprehension...at least most humans anyway, and certainly me, lol...log out and back in and it sometimes comes back.

Cheers,
D