Dodge Vogue villa grande 1979 won't start

[jmd87]

Hi,

I have a Dodge Vogue villa grande 1979 thats been in storage for 5 years. It used to start fine but now it doesn't. It turns over but never starts. I have removed the engine cover inside the Vogue and usual before there was a smell of fuel when starting but now there is no smell.

I have put new fuel into the motorhome (not much as fuel isn't cheap in the UK haha) do you think it could be a fuel pump issue? If so where would i source one of these?

I'm not 100% sure on the type of engine but I can try and find out of its required?

Thanks alot
Joe

[2bzy2c]

To be honest, you are probably in over your head. Carbs are tricky to work on, and even more tricky to get them to run right.

I you can't get the top of the carb off in the first place, I would opt to simply get a rebuilt one. I am not trying to be critical, but just giving an honest assessment.

You should probably try to reply to previous problems you had 9 months ago.
A simply thank you for the advice would be welcomed. Far too often, people have an issue, we offer solutions, then they never check back to let us know what the outcome was.

Don't be one of "those people".

[jmd87]

Hi,

Sorry to drag up my old topic but I had some issues outside of all this.

I have gone up to where the Vogue is stored and replaced the Oil Filter, Oil, Water, Fuel, fuel filter and sparks. I checked there was pressure from the fuel pump and that was ok.

I had someone who happened to walk by and know about engines come in and said the problem was the "Thermo Quad Carb" and that it needs a massive clean. So i took the carb off and have brought it home and purchased some Carb cleaner.

I noticed once I got home there was some stuff in one of the bigger pipes inside of the carb so decided to take it apart and clean it. I am not engine minded but am very patient so I downloaded a manual and I have been following instructions on how to take it apart to clean it all.

But now I have run into a problem. I have to desperate the top of the carb from the fuel bowl it says it should come off easy. I have made sure that there are no bolts anywhere etc but It just won't come off. I was told that what ever I do do NOT try and pry it off with a screw driver as I will damage the Fuel bowl.

So does any one have any suggestions on how to get this off as I think it has just got so old and stuck together?

Kind Regards
Joe

[moisheh]

I bet that MH has a Dodge 440 with a ThermoQuad carb. Probably all plugged up with old fuel residue. Mike: Isnt there a club devoted to the M300-600 chassis? They must be able to get brake parts somewhere. Lots of parts on those units were discontinued 20 years ago. The 440-3 uses a special thermostat. Using a regular Dodge stat will cause severe overheating. The heads are different. The exhaust manifolds are giant heat sinks that melt plug wires. But awesome power.

[Mike_Hohnstein]

Wait'll you try to find brake parts.

[Executive45]

Pull the air cleaner, pour a shot glass full of fuel down the carb. then see if it will start. If that happens, remove the fuel line from the carb. Place the end in a soda bottle and have someone kick the starter. If gas fills the soda bottle your fuel pump is working, repair/replace the carb. If it doesn't, you probably need a new fuel pump. Then again you might just have bad gas inside the carb. which will necessitate it's removal and rebuild. Perform these two tests before you have it towed. Removing the four bolts holding the carb in place is much easier and less expensive than having it towed. New carbs are about $300 US....good luck ..Dennis

[bassman2572]

First, easy check to see if there is fuel at/in the carburetor, is to take the air cleaner assembly off and move the throttle linkage by hand to see if fuel squirts in. You will need to hold the blade(s) open on the top to see this. If no fuel there, could mean a bad accelerator pump on the carb, or as you suspect, bad fuel pump. One way to check the pump is to remove the line that goes to the carburetor and have a buddy turn the engine over and see if she pumps. Of course have a container handy to catch the fuel, and disconnect the coil wire so she won't accidentally fire up. You will need to know the engine size to replace the pump. Hope this helps.

That got really long..

Oops! seems someone beat me to the punch!

[donn0128]

Remove the airn cleaner and locate the throttle linkage. Try pumping the linkage while looking down the carbuetor. Do you see any fuel? Yes? Then it is powsibly electrical. No? Then yiur on the right track. It is possible it is a fuel pump. But also very possible a rotted rubber fuel line.