car died...troubleshooting

Discussion in 'Technical' started by MavMonster, May 9, 2006.

  1. MavMonster

    MavMonster Member

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2003
    Messages:
    117
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Ames, Iowa
    Vehicle:
    72 Maverick
    Well I was driving today and it just died on me. It is a 72 2 door, 200I6. Ran fine, not sure what happened. I checked the spark plugs, they were sorta nasty so I replaced them, still dosent start. When I turn the key everything moves fine, all belts are turning, it's getting gas, distributor looks fine, etc, just wont start. Any ideas what this might be? timing chain, blown head gasket?

    Thanks
     
  2. dmhines

    dmhines Dixie Maverick Boy

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2002
    Messages:
    8,927
    Likes Received:
    21
    Trophy Points:
    147
    Location:
    Cumming, GA
    Vehicle:
    1971 Grabber / 2012 Mustang / 2009 Jeep Wrangler / 2013 Ducati / 2009 Buell XB12Scg
    Is it getting spark?
     
  3. broncoisl

    broncoisl Member

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2006
    Messages:
    288
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    100
    Location:
    Iceland
    Vehicle:
    1974 Comet 351W
    Are you getting spark to the sparkplugs?
     
  4. MavMonster

    MavMonster Member

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2003
    Messages:
    117
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Ames, Iowa
    Vehicle:
    72 Maverick
    To check that I just hold a plug to a metal part of the car and turn the key, correct?
     
  5. MavMonster

    MavMonster Member

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2003
    Messages:
    117
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Ames, Iowa
    Vehicle:
    72 Maverick
    Ok, yes there is a spark.
     
  6. dmhines

    dmhines Dixie Maverick Boy

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2002
    Messages:
    8,927
    Likes Received:
    21
    Trophy Points:
    147
    Location:
    Cumming, GA
    Vehicle:
    1971 Grabber / 2012 Mustang / 2009 Jeep Wrangler / 2013 Ducati / 2009 Buell XB12Scg
    Spark + Fuel + Compression = ignition. Make sure you have all 3 ....
     
  7. Mavaholic

    Mavaholic Growing older but not up!

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2002
    Messages:
    14,992
    Likes Received:
    209
    Trophy Points:
    258
    Location:
    Live Oak, FL
    Vehicle:
    Original 72 Sprint Owner, 71 Comet GT, 57 Ranchwagon, 57 4 dr Wagon
    You need spark, fuel, and compression. Spark checks ok so next thing to look at is gas. With the engine turned off, remove the air cleaner, open the choke plate, and hit the accelarator a few times. You should see a streme of gas shoot into the carb throat. If not, you probably have a bad fuel pump, filter or hose.
     
  8. dmhines

    dmhines Dixie Maverick Boy

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2002
    Messages:
    8,927
    Likes Received:
    21
    Trophy Points:
    147
    Location:
    Cumming, GA
    Vehicle:
    1971 Grabber / 2012 Mustang / 2009 Jeep Wrangler / 2013 Ducati / 2009 Buell XB12Scg
    Dennis ... beetchya! :)
     
  9. CornedBeef4.6L

    CornedBeef4.6L no longer here

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2003
    Messages:
    5,217
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    137
    Vehicle:
    no longer here
    Yes I agree if you have spark(Is it blue colored or a weak orange?) and are getting gas(did you check the line pressure and do a volume test?) I would do a compression test next. If you have low pressure on all cylinders I would suspect the cam and crank timing are off. It would have had to gotten really hot(overheated) to blow the head gasket on all cylinders. DO you have a temp gauge? When you carnk the engine over does it sound slow and sluggish or turns over faster than normal??



    Does it try and fire at all?? Does it pop or back fire?
     
  10. MavMonster

    MavMonster Member

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2003
    Messages:
    117
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Ames, Iowa
    Vehicle:
    72 Maverick
    ok, gas is getting in there too. I actually just replaced the fuel pump 2 months ago.
     
  11. dmhines

    dmhines Dixie Maverick Boy

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2002
    Messages:
    8,927
    Likes Received:
    21
    Trophy Points:
    147
    Location:
    Cumming, GA
    Vehicle:
    1971 Grabber / 2012 Mustang / 2009 Jeep Wrangler / 2013 Ducati / 2009 Buell XB12Scg
    Well ... all that is left is compression ... perhaps you timing chain slipped ....
     
  12. MavMonster

    MavMonster Member

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2003
    Messages:
    117
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Ames, Iowa
    Vehicle:
    72 Maverick
    The spark is blue. When I cranked it at first it sounded normal, this last time it may have been slower, but I'm not too sure. It tried to fire once, sort of, but basically not at all.

    Ok, I'll get on compression next, thanks.
     
  13. MavMonster

    MavMonster Member

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2003
    Messages:
    117
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Ames, Iowa
    Vehicle:
    72 Maverick
    By the way if anyone wants this car I'm selling it! I origionaly wanted 1700 for it, but obvioulsy I would take less now. This is all that has been done: [font=&quot]Carpet, Headliner, Front seat belts, Right/Left Visor, Sun visor anchor, Tachometer, Steering Wheel, Trunk Latch, Dome light bezel, Dome light bulb, Dome light lens, Package Tray, Right/Left windshield wiper blade assembly, Right/Left Fender,

    Front valance panel, Rear valance panel, Center Line 15” rims (x4), Tires 225 (x4),

    Radiator, Battery Tray, Battery hold-down clamps, Air filter, Muffler, Exhaust pipes, Distributor cap, Spark plug wires, Spark plugs, Master cylinder, Break hose (all),

    Break wheel cylinders (all), Break shoes (all), Hood bumpers, Carburetor (holly),

    Carburetor gaskets, Fuel filter, Valve cover gasket, Leaf spring (driver side), Shocks (x4), Grill, Reupholstered rear seat, Metal replacement of quarter panels, Metal replacement of floor, Metal replacement of trunk, Dash cap, Instrument cluster, “Glove box” tray, Speakers (x4), 2” Rear spacers (x2), 1” Front spacers (x2), Right and Left Lower control arm w/ ball joint, Right and Left upper ball joint, outside tie rods.


    It obviously is not running right now, I'm open to all offers.[/font]
     
  14. rayzorsharp

    rayzorsharp I "AM" a Maverick!

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2002
    Messages:
    11,256
    Likes Received:
    65
    Trophy Points:
    298
    Location:
    Grand Bay, Alabama
    Vehicle:
    Three 71 Maverick Grabbers, a 72 302 Sprint, a 73 LDO 2door parts car, a 76 silver v8 Stallion.
    Do you have any pics of the car you can post? I'd like to see what it looks like.
     
  15. CornedBeef4.6L

    CornedBeef4.6L no longer here

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2003
    Messages:
    5,217
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    137
    Vehicle:
    no longer here


    Sounds great!! Now if you could please make a post in the Forsale forum and read the rules before making a new thread in the Forsale forums. Thanks :Handshake
     

Share This Page