Questions and Answers

Dodge B20 Won't Start After Sitting Q. I've just purchased a 1982 Dodge B20 series camper van. 318 2bbl carburetor. with 40,000 original miles. After sitting for a day or more it's necessary to pump the throttle a lot to get it to start. Once started the choke is on and kicks down properly.

Unit runs great at all speeds, gets 18+mpg on the highway and starts fine after initial start. Unit appears to have a new fuel pump, fuel filter and rebuilt carburetor. Air cleaner is clean as well. Any ideas where to look?

Thanks in advance!

Q. It sounds to me like the float bowl is draining down over night and when you make that first start in the morning the float bowl has to refill before it will start again.

To help confirm this, let it sit for two or three days. Then unplug the coil wire and without touching the gas pedal, crank the engine for 15 or 20 seconds. Reconnect the coil wire, depress the gas pedal to the floor and release. Then start the engine. If it starts right up, then the float bowl is, indeed, draining out.

If this is the case, then the carburetor will need to be replaced.