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89 elite E idles dies @ partial throttle. runs WOT for a bit
Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 5:59 pm
by tlivingd
I've got an 89 Elite E that used to run great. However recently I took it about 3 blocks away and it lost all engine power.
and wouldn't restart. I left it for a bit (walked the rest of my trip) then it started again fine. Upon giving it any gas it would die. I'd let it sit for a little bit and it would start again. Giving it any throttle it would miss but sometimes, giving it more throttle it would take off great for about 1/2 a block then die. Also any partial throttle it would die and then very difficult, if not impossible to start. it seemed to run better nearly WOT but would also eventually die.
can anyone provide a place to start. I'm thinking give the carb a good cleaning and replace the fuel lines to start. I'm hoping I may have a piece of crud (like rotted fuel hose) that is sticking in the float needle opening or the float is sticking.
All the fuels i have available around me have 10% corn in it and could have caused the old fuel line to finally give up the ghost.
It currently has 1/2 a tank of fuel (there isn't a reserve setting on the fuel pick up is there?)
I've never messed with a vacuum operated petcock however and I'm concerned it could be that failing but have no idea how to diagnose that.
any help would be grateful.
-nate
Re: 89 elite E idles dies @ partial throttle. runs WOT for a
Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 8:38 pm
by killerpancake
cleaning the carb is always a great place to start, while your at it make sure the fuel filter isn't plugged. if it is, clean replace, or just replace. also i would check your air filter, it should feel like a sponge and spring back when squeezed.
Re: 89 elite E idles dies @ partial throttle. runs WOT for a
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 10:51 pm
by tlivingd
alright y it runs again. Didn't try it too hard yet, just in the garage on the stand. The carb was pretty clean. Though there was a little rust dust residue in the bowl. Changed the fuel and vacuum lines to some yellow tigon and after remembering to put the spark plug wire back on, it fired right up.
also looked at the reeds and they look perfect.
Quick question to follow up on. The small vacuum line from the oil pump to the carb, is oil supposed to move slowly to it?
in the 3-5 min of running the engine, the oil never made it to the carburetor but now i can see it slowly moving toward the carburetor.
-thanks.
Re: 89 elite E idles dies @ partial throttle. runs WOT for a
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 10:51 pm
by tlivingd
alright y it runs again. Didn't try it too hard yet, just in the garage on the stand. The carb was pretty clean. Though there was a little rust dust residue in the bowl. Changed the fuel and vacuum lines to some yellow tigon and after remembering to put the spark plug wire back on, it fired right up.
also looked at the reeds and they look perfect.
Quick question to follow up on. The small vacuum line from the oil pump to the carb, is oil supposed to move slowly to it?
in the 3-5 min of running the engine, the oil never made it to the carburetor but now i can see it slowly moving toward the carburetor.
-thanks.
Re: 89 elite E idles dies @ partial throttle. runs WOT for a
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 12:19 am
by dun rite
the oil moves slowly through the line, you should have a premix fuel in the tank while running until there is oil all the way through the line and then some. You are running without lubrication in the engine. not good for these motors at all.
Re: 89 elite E idles dies @ partial throttle. runs WOT for a
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 4:50 pm
by tlivingd
UGGG. It still does it.
It ran great for about 30 miles and worked great. And now it's not running right again after about 3-5 blocks and is impossible to restart.
The screen in the tank was clean when I checked that when changing fuel lines and cleaning the carb.. There was very little crud in the carb that i had to clean out.
i almost wonder if it looses spark, but not sure why it would work sometimes and not others.
any other ideas.
Re: 89 elite E idles dies @ partial throttle. runs WOT for a
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 5:58 pm
by wood10214
killerpancake wrote:cleaning the carb is always a great place to start.
tlivingd wrote:The carb was pretty clean. Though there was a little rust dust residue in the bowl.
Did you clean the crab?
Re: 89 elite E idles dies @ partial throttle. runs WOT for a
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 8:07 pm
by tlivingd
yes, the carb was clean. So clean, I was able to see light thru the pilot circuit.
DOH......
it's out of gas.... grrrr...
Re: 89 elite E idles dies @ partial throttle. runs WOT for a
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 10:39 pm
by killerpancake
so is it running good now that it's loaded up with gas?
Re: 89 elite E idles dies @ partial throttle. runs WOT for a
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 12:03 am
by tlivingd
yep. The second time. The first time (the start of this thread) it had 3/4+ tank
this last time I was trying to debug w/o seeing it other than a phone call from the misses.
I've also gotten a phone call where the fix was 'Is the key on'. sigh......