Discussion:
Help Please!!! Clark C300-40 Will Not Start

OK, here is my problem. My Clark will not start. It was running fine, but after sitting outside exposed to last winter, it has not started since.

The information I have gathered is the following:
Clark C300-40
Propane Fuel
4 Cyl Engine
I believe the serial # is one of these?
356 1 5146
2372878
3275 24 188 24

Once I started diagnosing it, I quickly found coolant pouring out of the carb! Since then, I have replaced the following:

New Impco Model J Regulator
New Spark Plugs
New Plug Wires
New Cap & Rotor
New Battery
New Starter

I also took the carb off and cleaned it out, as it was caked full of "Gunk"

I have great spark, but it seems that the propane is not getting into the engine. Engine cranks fine, but it won't even sputter.
I know nothing about forklifts, just going by what I see. I desperately need help, and I found this great website with the hopes that someone can help me.

I appreciate any insight that anyone can give me because I am lost! If you need any additional information,. I will do my best to provide that.
  • Posted 22 Sep 2011 00:50
  • By lenny_g
  • joined 22 Sep'11 - 2 messages
  • Ohio, United States
Showing items 1 - 12 of 12 results.
I think you have your coolant lines in hooked up to the wrong locations on the regulator
  • Posted 29 Sep 2011 00:19
  • By Prentice
  • joined 25 Jun'08 - 600 messages
  • Ontario, Canada
the coolant passages in the reg are cast into the reg and is no way it could get into the reg unless the casting was compromised in some way, there is no gasketing for the coolant passages in a model J IMPCO Regulator just the fittings that screw into each end of it for the hoses.
  • Posted 23 Sep 2011 08:40
  • By kevin_t
  • joined 2 Dec'10 - 1,301 messages
  • Pennsylvania, United States
The reg gasketing could have rotted out
  • Posted 23 Sep 2011 08:35
  • By 7777
  • joined 8 Mar'11 - 649 messages
  • New York, United States
If coolant was flowing from the regulator to the carb either the hoses were installed in the wrong place or the regulator froze during the winter and cracked the casting and let coolant into gas side of the regulator,if the reg did freeze then whats to say the engine block also froze?
  • Posted 23 Sep 2011 08:24
  • By kevin_t
  • joined 2 Dec'10 - 1,301 messages
  • Pennsylvania, United States
Check fuel lockoff and try starting with ether and see if it will pop or start Did yoU replace the diaphragm in the carb or just clean it?
  • Posted 22 Sep 2011 23:41
  • By kevin_t
  • joined 2 Dec'10 - 1,301 messages
  • Pennsylvania, United States
Thank you to everyone who responded. I should have clarified that the coolant was coming from the regulator. The head and block are fine, and compression is good. The reg has coolant that flows through it as well, and something inside let loose and was letting coolant flow to the carb.
  • Posted 22 Sep 2011 23:12
  • By lenny_g
  • joined 22 Sep'11 - 2 messages
  • Ohio, United States
Coolant out of the carb. sounds like a cracked head or block. If the bock is broken, its probably not worth fixing, if the head is cracked, then its worth repairing. After you determine if there is an engine crack, check the compression. The old 4 cyl. continental motors can run well w/ only 90psi.

I've never seen it, but maybe by fluke you only have a blown head gasket causing the problem. Good luck.

Yanni
  • Posted 22 Sep 2011 18:28
  • By 7777
  • joined 8 Mar'11 - 649 messages
  • New York, United States
I agree with Kevin, no matter how many parts you replace you must first determine if engine is in good internal condition or if that is where problem lies. If coolant was coming out of carb it could have been someone hooked up lp hose to coolant port on regulator and is not plumbed correctly and is pumping coolant instead of fuel.
  • Posted 22 Sep 2011 12:43
  • By Huckleberry
  • joined 20 Jul'11 - 29 messages
  • Tennessee, United States
Also if "coolant was pouring out of the carb" this would be a good indication of something very wrong with the block/head.
  • Posted 22 Sep 2011 06:29
  • By kevin_t
  • joined 2 Dec'10 - 1,301 messages
  • Pennsylvania, United States
Do a compression test of all 4 cylinders and see what they are.
  • Posted 22 Sep 2011 06:27
  • By kevin_t
  • joined 2 Dec'10 - 1,301 messages
  • Pennsylvania, United States
If truck was outside last winter,was the coolant protection good enough to keep it from freezing? Is there coolant in the crankcase oil? Block/head cracked??
  • Posted 22 Sep 2011 06:13
  • By kevin_t
  • joined 2 Dec'10 - 1,301 messages
  • Pennsylvania, United States
Check the vaccum line going to lock off in the fuel system. Sounds like it is not getting a vaccum signal.

Hope this helps
Dave
  • Posted 22 Sep 2011 02:33
  • By BusBoy
  • joined 20 Oct'09 - 14 messages
  • Ontario, Canada

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