How to keep fuel up to the curb after shut off.

inertia said
For those that have the long cranking problem,, that's caused by empty fuel bowls and lines,, perhaps this'll help,,

The mechanical pumps use a spring to keep even pressure/suction in the line,, and maintains that suction/pressure with the engine not cranking/running.. (Ever change a fuel filter a while after the engines been running and get a shot of gas?)

What I do, and suggest you do, when you know it's "crank" time,, is crank the engine 3 or 4 revolutions,, and wait,, what's happening is the fuel is now being moved by the residual pressure supplied by the pump,, wait maybe the count of 5,, then crank 3 or 4 times and wait again, count of five,, now try pumping the gas slowly while continuing to crank,, and it'll catch ..

Cranking and cranking, doesn't increase suction cuz the pump's spring is already compressed as far as it can,, so waiting in such a manner will save battery,, with the same results,, this really helps when you got a low battery to start with..

hope that makes sense and hope it helps..

This will also help keep you from smoking the starter. Years ago I had a neighbor that had a shop that rebuilt alternators & starters. I can remember Mr. Fox telling me every time I picked up a rebuilt starter from him telling me to crank it for no longer than a 4-5 count and giving it the same amount of time to "rest" and cool off. Even to this day I chuckle when I am walking thru a parking lot and hear someone just holding the key in the crank position if there ride will not start. If it does not start within a 5 second shot of the starter it probably will not start with a 30 second crank either....granted, there are exceptions but.....