Hard to Start After a Week

KSCHNEIDER1

MEMBER
CHEVROLET VAN

1978 Chevrolet G20 Van, 5.7Liter, 4bbl, 135,000 miles: I drive this van on the weekends only and after it has sat for a week it takes me three to four lengthy tries with a lot of gas peddle pumping to get it to start. For the rest of the weekend it starts right up, even after sitting overnight. It's been fully tuned up and runs great the rest of the time. Is this a fuel pump/carbuerator issue?

4 Replies

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

Kinda sounds like fuel is bleeding away from the carb. I know its not the funnest thing to access, but before you start it next time that it should act up, spray some starting fluid into the carb and see if she fires right up.

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Tuesday, September 4th, 2007 AT 7:44 AM

KSCHNEIDER1

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2 POSTS

I'll give that a shot next weekend. If she does fire right up, what are my next steps to resolve the issue of fuel bleeding away from the carb?

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Tuesday, September 4th, 2007 AT 7:54 AM

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

It's been a while since weve seen carbs, but the electric fuel pump is usually the cause

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Tuesday, September 4th, 2007 AT 8:46 AM

JAKOB8

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5 POSTS

Assuming your 78 has a mechanical fuel pump. And a vapor recovery system similar to my 83 I suggest you check the lines to the vapor recovery "can" (that coffee can looking thing mounted. Umm I think just ahead of the right front tire) Have the same problem on mine. But its cold outside and my battery is strong. So going to live with it until spring.

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Thursday, December 6th, 2007 AT 8:22 PM