Having trouble with 86 jimmy...

[Schwedy925]

Hello. So im having some trouble with my 1986 4x4 jimmy. When i first got the truck not too long ago it would take a little while to start if it hadnt been running for a while (ie usually in the morning i would turn the key and wait for it to turn over while giving some gas until it started usually about 20-30 seconds or so). Last night however when leaving the store i started my truck and it seemed kind of boggy and then when i put it in reverse and gave it some gas it just died. I went to start it again and it just keeps acting like it wants to turn over but the engine just wont start. I tried jumping it and the man at AAA said it sounded like i was out of gas by the noise the engine was making when trying to start it (i already put a couple gallons in while it wasnt running so i know its not that). I let it sit overnight infront of my house and when i go to fire it up this morning it just does the same thing. I did some research and i THINK i may need to replace my fuel pump or somthing along those lines. The people on this board seem to know what they are talking about so i figured i would bring my problem here and see what advice you guys might be able to shoot my way. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

I posted this in the jimmy sub board as well but i didnt know if that board was as frequently checked as the general.

[bmchevy1979]

First thing I would do myself is prime the carb and try to start it if it tries to start then you have a fuel issue if it does the same thing it is most likely electrical

[Schwedy925]

I primed the carb with about a tablespoon or so of gas and it started to show a little life of turning over then back to the same thing. I think i might be burning my starter up or my battery from trying to start it so much tho lol. Thanks for the suggestion. Im also picking up a new fuel filter and fuel pump from napa today so hopefully that fixes it.

[lindstromjd]

Sounds a lot like the fuel pump. Especially with it taking forever to start after it had been sitting for a few hours. Means the fuel pump wasn't sealing up and letting all the fuel in the system bleed back down into the tank.

[Schwedy925]

Update: Good news(I hope) and bad news. The good news is that its really looking like it is my fuel pump because the old one was completely jacked up. When i removed it the spring under the black lever was missing and the lever was coroded(sp?) and wouldnt even move. The bad news is ive run into a situation with that damn tricky rod arm that ive heard so much about. It seems like it is jammed against the lower wall of the opening if that makes any sense. Any ideas on how to unlodge it? Ill post pics soon.

[lindstromjd]

Had the same thing happen on a buddy's Nova just last week, actually. Stupid cam rod got stuck even AFTER I was careful enough to make sure it didn't get stuck. Got stuck anyway. I had to take a screwdriver and wedge it up against the side of the rod and pry it up by using a sideways/upwards motion. Make any sense? Took a while of doing it to get it just right, too.

[Schwedy925]

Thats exactally what i was thinking of doing just didnt want to bend the rod or damage it. But if you say that it worked fine for you then im all for it. Thanks and ill let you guys know what happens after the pump is installed. Oh one more thing as well, I cant for the life of me find where to put my new fuel filter? Its not an inline, just the drop in paper ones but i cant find its location lol.

[bmchevy1979]

Originally Posted by Schwedy925

Oh one more thing as well, I cant for the life of me find where to put my new fuel filter? Its not an inline, just the drop in paper ones but i cant find its location lol.

It should be on the fuel inlet on the carb were the metal pipe or hose goes

[85_C10_Sleeper]

I dont think it would hurt to play with your timing and ignition a little bit.

Mine did the same thing when i first got it, Changed the distributor cap, Ignition control module, Ignition Coil, Plugs and wires. And then re timed it. Havent any problems since.
Have you visually checked if your getting any fuel to the carb?

[lindstromjd]

Originally Posted by bmchevy1979

It should be on the fuel inlet on the carb were the metal pipe or hose goes

Yup. Unscrew the fuel line going into the carb and it's right in there. Won't hurt you to put a second in-line filter in as well though. Helps you verify that you are indeed getting fuel to the engine, among other things. Like seeing the quality of fuel, and the filter's condition.

[xrcr]

Screwdriver to get the fuel pump rod up is only thing I know at this point. Look at the front of your block and see if there are 2 bolts/ holes down by the pump. If so you can run a longer 3/8 bolt in the lower one(i think it's the lower) and that will hold the rod when you install your pump. You have to remember to remove it an put the shorty back in.I'm no expert on block designs but my old stuff has it. Good Luck.