Car won't start if a week goes by since last start

3

3rdfred

Newbie
I have a 1949 Buick Super that is mostly stock original. Often times when I haven't started engine for a week or more, it will crank & crank but engine will not fire. Had my mechanic look at it & of course, it started quickly each time they tried over a 3 hour period. He said that when it hasn't been started in several days the gas will flow back from the carb thru the fuel line to the gas tank. Is that correct & if so, is there any way to prevent that from occurring?
Thx, Fred Linden
 
IF everything is not correct in the fuel system the fuel could be draining back as stated. Another problem is todays fuel that contains alcohol as it has a tendency to evaporate pretty quickly especially when the car is hot.
You could do like many do & hookup an electric fuel pump to prime the system BEFORE starting. ONLY thing is you MUST remember to turn the fuel pump off or you could flood the engine from too much fuel.
OR, do one of the things I do & hookup the voltage wire to the "S" terminal on the starter. When you go to start it the fuel pump will automatically come on while cranking & shut off when not cranking.
Kinda fool proof.

Tom T.
 
No doubt Tom has the solution, but I had a different case with 1978 Dodge Slant 6 that your experience calls to mind: in my case it was as simple as a leaky gasket. The leak was so slow (and my experience so limited), however, that I saw no evidence of it and it only happened after a couple of weeks.
 
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