'83 245 non-turbo
On start up if under 1/4 tank of gas it takes a lot of cranking to get it to start. 1/2 tank or more no problem at all.
More recently it has been having issues running consistently. It will start and I can keep it running by messing with the throttle, but it wants to die-run-sputter-die-run...and so on. It will have this issue randomly at different speeds and engine temperatures. Some drives it will only have the issue on start up and no more issue for the rest of the day.
I'm headed out now to move it into the garage and plan to take a video to hopefully show what I am talking about.
Do you believe I am on the right track with fuel delivery issue?
if it runs ok with a fulll tank and runs crappy with less than half those are symptoms of a bad in tank fuel pump.
if you replace it you might as well do the float too since they are combined, although you can just replace the pump if you prefer. Its a bit of a nasty job because you have to get it out of the top pf the tank. connecting the plastic fuel line can be a pain.
I'd syphon your gas and empty the tank before if you go into replacing it. I'd source the pump first, you may be able to drive till you get one by keeping the tank full. you might locate the access plate above the tank and have a look at the big plug/nut thing you might have to improvise a wrench for that. I'd do that now but if you pull it apart you'll need the new pump to carry forward. Id' buy the pump with the float mechanism together because the plastic gets a bit old and you don't want to do this twice.
there is a strainer at the end of the line inside the tank. you should have that too. if it isn't oriented right the float can rub so take note you might be able to mark how it was with a white paint pen. if you knock the filter off the end of the hose you'll be fishing around in the gas tank with your nose in the hole breathing gas fumes and cursing.. thats why I'd drain the gas first.
careful draining the gas. do it outside. I know someone who was draining gas to a bucket and tripped over his trouble light and broke the bulb and a huge fire instantly ensued and he lost his garage and even worse he suffered horrible burns.
i saw a good idea where a guy used a pair of common adjustable plyers and opened them all the way to jam that into the big nut and then used vice grips to turn the plyers. it wasnt; a normal way to use the plyers but worked. if you try to use a hammer and a drft to loosen the plug that way I;d use a brass drift, you don't want to make sparks. my 740 has a plastic tank but yours is probably a metal tank.. You'll see if it's rusty inside. Hopefully it isn't.
If you have trouble fitting the plastic hose you can try to put he end of the hose in a kettle of hot water to soften it up a little as I recall it is quite stiff. about a foot from the tank on the underside I think it has a joint so maybe it can be unhooked there instead. If you are underneath look for the hose and see if there is a connection there.
Id open all the windows before you commence. the fumes from the fuel will get to you quickly otherwise.
