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48 2A running rough - Resolved

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Kenw View Drop Down
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    Posted: 09 May 2021 at 9:31pm
New condenser--- Winner, winner!

Replaced only the condenser. Fired up immediately and ran great all weekend. 
Speedometer is not working so unknown miles, but we burned about 3/4 of a tank of gas...

Thanks for all the suggestions.
 On to the next fix. Speedo, apparently. Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cpt logger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 May 2021 at 2:21pm
Just for grins, the next time it starts to sputter, listen closely while you take off the gas cap. If you hear air being sucked in, your gas cap's vent is plugged. If this is the case, try running the Jeep with the gas cap off. If it runs fine for a long time, you need to unplug the vent.

This would explain the low fuel level in the glass.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kenw Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 May 2021 at 11:11am
Thanks for that info drm.  I've read about condenser checking instruments, but I don't think I've ever seen one.  I may sacrifice a multimeter fuse to try that test.  For the sake of science.

Yes, the coil has an internal resistor.  I haven't specifically felt the coil when this happens, but I will certainly be checking that this weekend.  I've also not checked for spark when it is running rough.  I have hooked up the timing light and it is definitely sending enough current through the wires to signal the light. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote drm101 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 May 2021 at 6:30pm
You said you removed the ballast resistor. Does the coil require it? If it does, the coil may be getting too hot. Sometimes when a coil gets too hot, it will create small gap in a winding. When it cools that gap closes and it works again. Also make sure the condenser body is properly grounded. The proper way to check a condenser is with a condenser checker tool, but you can get a rough idea using a multimeter using the ammeter setting. Attach the negative lead to the condenser body, and then touch the positive lead to the terminal. The current will quickly rise then fall off, finally acting like an open ckt. You are effectively "charging" the condenser. If current continues to flow (or blows the fuse in the meter) you know the condenser is shorted. If no current flows, it is open. 



Edited by drm101 - 05 May 2021 at 6:39pm
Dean
'47 CJ2A "Mud Hen"
The less the Power the More the Force
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cpt logger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 May 2021 at 4:17pm
Originally posted by Stev Stev wrote:

Kenw wrote - "Down the road at a breakneck speed of 40mph-ish. No problems for 30-40 minutes of driving, until there were suddenly problems."


I had a similar issue:   The Jeep would run great for about 45 minutes or so, then it would start to miss and run really bad.  It ended up being water had condensed on the inside of the distributor cap.  Would have to take a paper towel and dry the inside of cap 3 or 4 times over the next hour of driving and it would be good to go for the rest of the season. 


Bolding mine.

This is the only thing IMHO, & IME that WD-40 is good for. It usually only takes one treatment.

Now if a deep creek was forded, it may take a few more treatments than that. Trust me here, I know.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TERRY Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 May 2021 at 2:56pm
Is the coil getting hot and failing intermittently? Check for spark when it is acting up,
In my experience over75 years, intermittent problems are usually electrical, except when they're not.
BOULDER 48 2A
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote fullgarage Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 May 2021 at 1:13pm
Definitely sounds like an ignition issue.  Condenser, cap and rotor are cheap and easy to change.
David - Celina,TX
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Stev Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 May 2021 at 1:07pm
Kenw wrote - "Down the road at a breakneck speed of 40mph-ish. No problems for 30-40 minutes of driving, until there were suddenly problems."


I had a similar issue:   The Jeep would run great for about 45 minutes or so, then it would start to miss and run really bad.  It ended up being water had condensed on the inside of the distributor cap.  Would have to take a paper towel and dry the inside of cap 3 or 4 times over the next hour of driving and it would be good to go for the rest of the season. 

Edited by Stev - 05 May 2021 at 1:08pm
Stev
1946 CJ2A Trail Jeep (The Saint), 1948 CJ2A Lefty Restored
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Kenw View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kenw Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 May 2021 at 12:43pm
I'm wondering about the carb.  I bought a new/rebuilt carb from Walcks.  I'm hoping the float etc were adjusted when it was built.  
That said, this is my second carb from them as the first had a pretty severe leak from the float bowl area.
Never say never.
At this point I'm working under the assumption that my carb problem is electrical...

I bought an Echlin condenser.  I'll install it this weekend and report back.

Thanks again.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Silent Turtle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 May 2021 at 10:51am
I just had the same issue, it was the condenser.  Do you need to adjust the float in the bowl?  

After my issue, i was planning on buying a few condensers and throwing them in the tool box on jeep.  Are there any reputable brands?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kenw Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 May 2021 at 11:05am
I realized I forgot to add that to my original post.

The fuel bowl was essentially empty while it was running.  Even when it was running well.  The plastic tank outlet is on top, and I wondered whether the mechanical pump had enough suction. 

I added an electric fuel pump near the tank to experiment.  It filled the bowl, but didn't affect how the Jeep ran.

FWIW right now, the fuel pump is pushing fuel into a new fuel filter which goes into the new metal fuel lines up to the mechanical pump.  I did not try bypassing the mechanical pump.  The rubber fuel line connections seem tight, and the metal connections all have sealing tape on the threads. No obvious leaks. The filter and lines were all in place before the new carb was installed. 

Thanks Dutch, any and all suggestions are appreciated. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dutch 1960 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 May 2021 at 4:08am
When it next stalls, check the fuel bowl level...
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Kenw View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kenw Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 May 2021 at 1:01am
Points and condensers are easy and inexpensive,  so I hope it's that simple.

I'm open to any and all ideas at this point, so if there's anything else I'm all ears.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bruce W Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 May 2021 at 12:09am
  There are signs that show a bad condenser. Most old manuals show what they are and what they mean. If none of these signs are apparent, do not replace the condenser. I’ve never actually seen any of these signs. I do not replace a condenser unless I do see them. This goes back to well before we started seeing Chi-com condensers bad right out of the box. Since you’ve tossed your old “good” condenser “in the bin”, I guess you’ll have to roll the dice and buy another new one. I hear that NAPA has good ones. 
BW 
It is NOT a Jeep Willys! It is a Willys jeep.

Happy Trails! Good-bye, Good Luck, and May the Good Lord Take a Likin' to You!

We Have Miles to Jeep, Before We Sleep.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kenw Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 May 2021 at 9:36pm
I really like the condenser answer.

But...how many do you buy to be reasonably sure of finding a good one?
LOL
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote athawk11 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 May 2021 at 8:59pm
CondenserWink
1- 1946 CJ2A   
2- 1949 CJ3A
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Kenw View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kenw Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 May 2021 at 8:48pm
Thanks for the replies.

You know Bruce, I kept that condenser afterwards......for awhile.  It went "in the bin". 

Capt:
Not exactly;  The Jeep was running great Saturday. Idling and under load. Down the road at a breakneck speed of 40mph-ish. No problems for 30-40 minutes of driving, until there were suddenly problems. Driving down the road at 20-30mph, I could feel a little miss in the beginning, then full on running rough. Not backfiring.  Limped home again. Would idle but not well.  Adjusting timing did nothing to change this. 

It starts quickly and easily. 
I haven't touched the coil or condenser after it has been running.
It has great spark cold, but I haven't checked it hot.

At one point, I was turning the distributer, and got quite a shock.  Not sure where or what I touched, but it certainly got my attention.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote smfulle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 May 2021 at 8:37pm
Condenser
Stan
48 CJ2A (Grampa's Jeep)
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