Just bought a 1992 sambar with 73000km. The last fella didn't have it registered and inspected because he used it on his property. Before purchasing it I took it for a test drive and it ran like a dream. But then as we were loading it on to my trailer in reverse down a small grade (whether that made a difference) it stalled and he had a hard time getting it going again. He claimed it had just flooded because he had his foot on the throttle as it rolled back accidentally in first gear and it would have settled by the time we got it home (5hr drive) Got it home and no sir. It ran for a good 7 secs than stalled. Followed by 5 secs and stall. Then 3 secs and stall... Than would no longer start. 1/2 a tank of clean new gas. Brand new battery, starter is working great. So far I've removed the spark plugs & torch dried them (as he said it should fix it). Opened the air gate completely while starting. Made some little repairs to the tips of the spark plug wires. Also attempted adding a small amount of fuel directly to the intake. Newer spark plugs too, and there is spark. The current configuration is 1-3-4-2. As followed by other forums. I smell fuel after running the starter constantly. Fuel pump is working, but I've noticed it never stops while the key is on and I'm not entirely sure if that's normal or not? Causing the engine to flood possibly? Any info would be great. I wish the guy was more honest hence he later mentioned he encountered the issue before, AFTER I got it home. Thanks guys
I wonder is the carb float valve maybe gunked up, causing rich/too much gas. Suggest drain the tank and check for goo, disconnect fuel line from carb and tank and blow out the fuel line, change the fuel filter and shoot some carb cleaner into the carb through the fuel inlet. If all that works change the oil and filter, it's probably thinned with gas.
Hey, just wondering if you had any results with getting your mini truck running. I'm having the same problem. Luckily, the rancher who sold me mine gave me a wrecked parts truck as well with a complete everything minus the cab. I don't have a lot of time right now, so I'm hoping I don't have to tear down a carb and replace it.
Mine was running rough and after changing the fuel filter and plugs I put a can of Berrymans in half a tank of gas and "drove it like I stole it" . It did smooth out a lot after that. Also mine seems to run better if I keep the RPM's on the high side.
Cool, thanks for the tips. I have replaced all of that stuff (air filter, fuel filter, plugs, wires, & rotor). All of this stuff seems to be helping a bit. I also ran some Seafoam through the gas tank. I'll keep working the fuel through and see if it straightens out at all. BTW: I found a set of plug wires at NAPA that fit for like $24. They were a part number for some Nissan small engine.
I went with the universal spark plug wire set and trimmed them to length. Let us know when you get yours running right.
I got the carburetor all cleaned up and replaced. In the process I found a third carburetor in the back of the parts truck I acquired with this green Sambar I’m trying to get going. I think I’ll rebuild them and try to sell them to help pay for the truck I want to get going.
Update on getting truck running right: In the process of cleaning out and replacing the carb, I checked the dipstick on the oil I had just changed. It is milky white. The old oil wasn’t milky, so I’m guessing I broke something un-seizing it and firing it up or the old owner broke something when he drove it to seizing. It is also possible something cracked when he parked it for 5 years in our freezing winters here and/or that someone sucked a bunch of water in and that’s why it overheated in the first place (the air cleaner looked muddy). I could have blown or cracked something when starting it up. I hope it’s just a head gasket. Anyone have experience with these engines? Do the blocks break easily or is there some other part of the engine that fails first allowing water through? Where should I start without having to purchase an outrageously overpriced rebuild kit or gasket kit?
You can try changing the oil, moisture in the oil will make it milky. As for your stalling mine does the same thing warm, hot starts I have to give throttle for it to start and it bucks on acceleration for about 2 minutes then clears up. New fuel filter and air filter made no difference, I'd assume it's a carb or float issue
