1979 won’t turn over
Instructor
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 144
Likes: 131
From: Mid TN
Just flooded or a fuel leak? Check engine oil to make sure fuel pump isn't leaking internally. Then hoses for external leaks. Float could be stuck in carburetor causing flooding. If none of the above check spark. Probably something simple.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,329
Likes: 7,901
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Lots of thoughts. Mostly questions unfortunately.
please describe your starting procedure.
How long have you owned this car?
Have you had many carburated cars before?
If it's flooding, have you held the pedal to the floor while cranking? Have you held the choke plate open manually?
please describe your starting procedure.
How long have you owned this car?
Have you had many carburated cars before?
If it's flooding, have you held the pedal to the floor while cranking? Have you held the choke plate open manually?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Pseward,
No matter where you live, there is likely a Harbor Freight within an hours drive.
They have a Sparkplug Tester Light. $6.
Every C3 owner should carry one behind the passenger seat.
By removing ANY plug-wire from the distributor cap, insert the tester, hit the IGN key.
Bam. Within 2 seconds you know if you have spark or not.
No matter where you live, there is likely a Harbor Freight within an hours drive.
They have a Sparkplug Tester Light. $6.
Every C3 owner should carry one behind the passenger seat.
By removing ANY plug-wire from the distributor cap, insert the tester, hit the IGN key.
Bam. Within 2 seconds you know if you have spark or not.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 448
From: Loir Valley Sarthe, France
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Pseward,
No matter where you live, there is likely a Harbor Freight within an hours drive.
They have a Sparkplug Tester Light. $6.
Every C3 owner should carry one behind the passenger seat.
By removing ANY plug-wire from the distributor cap, insert the tester, hit the IGN key.
Bam. Within 2 seconds you know if you have spark or not.
No matter where you live, there is likely a Harbor Freight within an hours drive.
They have a Sparkplug Tester Light. $6.
Every C3 owner should carry one behind the passenger seat.
By removing ANY plug-wire from the distributor cap, insert the tester, hit the IGN key.
Bam. Within 2 seconds you know if you have spark or not.
Would one of these have helped my diagnose a failing coil on my 78 I wonder?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Its a wonderful tester for shop or on the side of the road in France, Ha-ha.
In the old days you would pull a plug-wire and have your girlfriend hang on to it while you crank.
Its a good test, not only for spark but for loyal relationships.
Yes the tool will help locate bad plug, bad wire, bad coil, bad module, bad rotor, etc.
In the old days you would pull a plug-wire and have your girlfriend hang on to it while you crank.
Its a good test, not only for spark but for loyal relationships.
Yes the tool will help locate bad plug, bad wire, bad coil, bad module, bad rotor, etc.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 448
From: Loir Valley Sarthe, France
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Its a wonderful tester for shop or on the side of the road in France, Ha-ha.
In the old days you would pull a plug-wire and have your girlfriend hang on to it while you crank.
Its a good test, not only for spark but for loyal relationships.
Yes the tool will help locate bad plug, bad wire, bad coil, bad module, bad rotor, etc.
In the old days you would pull a plug-wire and have your girlfriend hang on to it while you crank.
Its a good test, not only for spark but for loyal relationships.
Yes the tool will help locate bad plug, bad wire, bad coil, bad module, bad rotor, etc.
I suspect my wife knows enough about the car to not grab a plug wire if asked!😄 Maybe I ought to get a tester - of course, I'll probably never use it now I've bought the new coil!😄
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 448
From: Loir Valley Sarthe, France
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified