Ask The Editors: ATC Fuel Line Mystery
Process of elimination mechanics.
Process of elimination would have us carefully going over those fuel lines. Our guess would be either some corrosion shook its way into the line between where it mates with the tank to the fuel petcock or even something jammed in the petcock (valve) itself. Do keep in mind that these tanks were still metal in those days. Corrosion was a much bigger concern than it is now with the move to plastic.
The best way to isolate the obstruction would be to disconnect the fuel line at each junction then to force pressure through with a compressor. If the line itself blows air cleanly, we’d set our sights on the petcock (remove it, clean and lube it). If this doesn’t get you back in good shape, remove the tank, drain it thoroughly and clean, blow out the nipple where the fuel line connects.
If you’re sure you did a good job cleaning the carburetor, the only other way the fuel line would go dry is an obstruction somewhere in the line itself or the tank/ line junction. When you shake the machine and rotate the fuel valve through positions, you are disturbing the obstruction enough to allow some fuel to pass through and enter the carb. The engine then runs until it exhausts the fuel supply you shook down. Keeping this in mind, the petcock itself being gummed up is a very good possibility.
If cleaning doesn’t do the trick – there are still some affordable replacement solutions. Click here for an article we did on this very subject.
