having some buggy blues

[GinaJ]

What would cause my buggy to crank and run fine, but when I kill it, it won't crank back up unless I wait awhile? It seemed to work in the mornings after relatively short runs, but late evenings without driving much further than those morning runs, it won't crank back up. We're kinda stuck on this one.

[jspbtown]

Are you saying you turn the key and nothing happens? Not a sound? No movement of the starter? If so it could be a bad connection, or maybe some heat soak on an old starter. Or maybe a starter bushing issue.

[GinaJ]

no, it turns over. it just won't crank. It does after you wait a while.

[GregR]

vapor lock maybe? Does your fuel line run really close to the exhaust or cylinder head?

[jspbtown]

Vapor lock is a good guess. Also debris in the tank. Is your tank old? How about your fuel filter.
"Could" also be a coil going bad. I would check for spark next time it does it. Many times if the coil is failing it will ground out when its hot. Touch the coil (carefully!) to see how hot it is. Really hot may indicate a bad coil. Warm is OK.
Last guess would be the condensor (if you are still running points).

So...to diagnose the problem. When it won't re-start:
1. Feel the coil carefully for temp.
2. Check for spark
3. Check for fuel by looking down the carb throat (may need a mirror) to see if you get a good spray of fuel when you hit the gas pedal. No fuel...then probably vapor lock, plugged filter, or plugged "sock" in the tank.

[GinaJ]

thanks guys. gives us something to go on. pretty much coil, fuel filter, tank... all that is new so maybe vapor lock. What do you do to fix that?

[Don]

Does it crank slowly when the engine is hot? If so the timing may be too far advanced.

[GinaJ]

when it cranks, it cranks right up...no problem at all, but when it does this....it just won't crank. To me it acts like its flooded, but I don't know why...I really don't think I'm flooding it.

[GregR]

Gina,
help us out. When you say "cranks right up" to describe several sitautions, it makes it tough to understand what you're asking.
Maybe use terms like "it turns over but won't start" or "it turns over but won't fire." That way we know that the starter is turning the engine over but there is an isssue with spark/fuel/compression that won't allow it to start.

Since from what you say, it seems to turn over normally, it just won't fire. Recheck those items that jspbtown suggested, even if they're new.

Go through the whole tune up ritual again. Check that the valves are set correctly. check the timing.

Get the engine warmd up, shut it off and try to restart it. If it won't start, take the air cleaner off (engine not running) and carefully open the throttle to see if you're getting fuel.

If you're getting fuel, pull a spark plug, ground it against the case (use rubber handled pliers) and turn the engine over. If you have spark, check the timing and the valves again.

My guess is that you either won't be getting fuel or you won't have spark. Try a different coil. Then try a different set of points (and new condensor.)

Let us know what you find out.

[Bill K]

I'll amen what Greg said about not assuming something is good just because it's a new part.
I spent a month trying to cure a plug fouling problem, only to find out it was a new (defective) carb causing the problem all along.

[GinaJ]

thanks so much for the info. sorry, I know I'm not the best at describing it. You guys really do rock. But it seems we have a way bigger problem now. All of the oil has leaked out and we have to find out why. Talk about having some buggy blues now. I want to make it to the round up.

[GregR]

GinaJ wrote:
it seems we have a way bigger problem now. All of the oil has leaked out

This'll sound dumb, but make sure the plug is in the sump.....

[GinaJ]

Found the leak. it was pouring out one of the valve covers.

[jspbtown]

Well....an engine with low, or no, oil is not good. Best case scenario...it was getting hot and caused the fuel to boil for vapor lock. Worst case senario..it was getting REAL hot and locking up.

[GinaJ]

thanks so much. I appreciate the help